IR-1 Visa Question

[nic1822 0]

Hi All,

I am a US citizen who married a Filipina in March 2014 that took place in Singapore. My wife and I have both been working and living together in Singapore since 2012. Hope you guys can help answer our questions. The questions are:

1) Which is the correct visa option for our case, IR-1 or IR-1 DCF (direct consular filing)?

2) Would it be a better (quicker) process if I were to file in the US or here in Singapore?

3) Can I file Form I-130 in the US Embassy in Singapore? Can the US Embassy process it or do they need to send to Chicago Lock Box?

4) Once I file Form I-130 (before approval), will it be advisable to file K-3 visa after so she can go the U.S. and wait there for result of I-130?

5) After filing Form I-130, is it required to also file I-129F? Please explain because the I-129F form indicates that it's for petitioning fiance.

This is it for now. There may be more follow-up questions later. Thank you in advance for the help.

~ nic1822

[TBoneTX 45,273]

Welcome to the forum. Don't bother with the I-129F. Others here will be along to answer your other questions.

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

Welcome to the site

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Welcome!

1. IR-1, as Singapore has no USCIS office within the embassy, so you need to file via the US based lockbox.

2. You have to send your petition to the USA, there is no choice. That being said, there is anecdotal evidence that petitions where the USC petitioner lives abroad get expedited, so it may go quicker if you send it postmarked FROM Singapore and your bio forms show you have been living there.

3. No, see above.

4/5.- No need for the I-129F, the K3 path is more expensive, no faster, and usually gets closed at NVC stage anyways.

[nic1822 0]

Hi,

Thank you TBoneTX, Lenny&Sanna, and Penguin_ie for welcoming me in the forum and for answering my questions.

Here's another question:

Once the I-130 has been approved and forwarded to NVC, NVC will send the packet of forms to my wife here in Singapore. We were informed that submission of forms, interviews, and medical should be done at the country of origin.

Where will she submit the forms, do the interview and medical? In her country of origin (the Philippines where there's a USCIS office) or at the US Embassy in Singapore? As mentioned previously, we were married in Singapore where she is currently working and residing.

~nic1822

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

If she legally resides in Singapore, she can do the medical and interview there. if she is only on a tourist visa or there illegally, she'd need to go back to the Phils for those things.

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

Growing up with my did in the Air Force and my late husband with IBM (means i've been moved) i have lived in 24 states.

This being said i thought i had experienced all kinds of weather but the 2 story snowfalls at Owego and tunneling under them to get from one college building to another was a bit much and i trnsfered to Cornell (still in the snowbelt) promising myself to move south when i could. Stay and promise yourself to do this and enjoy the NJ beaches this summer. Maybe your financee is not able to move at this time but you made the promise and committment for them to apply for your visa with the promise of love and marriage. this means a lot to most of us so we urge you to not give up. Sorry but NJ itself is a cultural shock but i would have thought the traffic would be the issue and the cost of car insurance among other things i have lived there myself / make a promise and work towards getting to a more favorable area for your needs but keep your financee in mind. Love and be loved and buy a goose down coat

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.