We Need your Help! i-130 or CR-1

[daveandhanna 0]

Hey Everyone!

A few weeks ago we though we had things figured out. But know I am not really sure which way to go is best. Let me give you some background info so you can understand our situation.

I am an american citizen born and raised in California. I have been living in Sweden the last 20 years. I have been together with my wife for 12 years and married for about 3 of these. We have 2 girls together and a golden retriever. We have both bought a house and a couple of years ago built a house together. We visit the US at least once a year since all my relatives still live there. My 2 girls just recently got there US passports and Social Security numbers. (birth abroad)

But after reading everything I got seriuosly confused. We have all the papers and can easily show proof or whatever else is needed.

Our Plan

We want to move to the USA as soon as possible. I want my wife to be able to come with me of course while the government is processing everything. Which is the best route? It has taken for ever to get this far and we really don't want to just sit around.

thanks for all your help!

[Dal&Rose 45]

Review the guide linked below to start learning the process. If Sweden has a US Embassy and they allow you to do direct consular filing, it is usually pretty quick compared to the usual year it takes without DCF and other mitigating factors.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

Good luck.

[daveandhanna 0]

wow Dal&Rose!

Looks like there is a DCF in Stockholm! How awesome isn't that!!! Time to buy some tickets

thanks again!

[Dal&Rose 45]

Before buying tickets check with the Embassy see if they do DCF. Also advisable to never buy tickets until visa in hand. There could be hang-ups or whatever.

Realize it could easily take 6 months even with DCF. Research the VJ forums.

But first check the Embassy website. They usually will have more information regarding immigration of US spouses of some sort. It may let you know if DCF is available for you.

[Alaska2012 462]

Don't buy any tickets yet. Back in my day...4 years ago they didn't do DCF and there isn't any info about it on their Web page. Now that may very well have changed without them updating the website so send them an email and ask! If they do DCF you are looking at 4-6 months. If they don't do DCF you are looking at closer to 10-12 months. Either way you start with the I-130. Read the guides here on visajourney! They have all the info you need!

[Ryan H 3,821]

For DCF to be possible, there must be a USCIS field office in the country. This list of international USCIS field offices can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-immigration-offices

Sweden does not appear on that list; therefore, no DCF.

Before anyone suggests that route, it's best to check that list first before getting anyones hopes up.

[JFH 12,191]

OP, although there is an embassy in Stockholm, for DCF to be possible there must be a USCIS field office. The two are not the same thing and the existence of one does not guarantee the existence of the other in any given city. You and the children are free to go at any stage as you have US passports but you wife must go through the same process as the rest of us. If you do go before her (you mentioned wanting to go back as soon as possible - you can go yesterday) she can come to visit you during the one-year process under the usual conditions for foreignors to enter the USA as visitors (VWP if she qualifies, B2 if not, 90 days max on VWP and no working).

Edited March 13, 2016 by JFH

[trellis 2]

Like others say, the Stockholm embassy only offers DCF in extreme family circumstances – deaths, illnesses, &c. So the I-130 will be the way to go.

A possible light in the darkness: I don't know if I was just very lucky, but I went through the I-130 process in just 23 days (documents received at USCIS 4th of January this year, petition approved on 27th January). We're currently in the NVC process, but if you have any questions about applying from Sweden (my husband and I both currently live in Sweden), feel free to shoot me a message.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Yeah sorry, the US Embassy in Stockholm don't do DCF. What I've noticed from posts here on VJ though is that I-130 petitions with the USC living abroad seem to get expedited so you might get lucky there, although I would still count a process for about a year.

You should come join us in the very active Scandinavian thread. Can't post the link right now but you find us under forum, regional forums and Europe. The Scandinavian thread is right at the top.

[NikLR 13,232]

The I-130 is the start of the CR1/IR1 process and is the only option available to you at this point in time.