Moving Across Country During ROC. Advice?

[IntoTheLight 5]

Hi Everyone,

I will be due to apply for ROC in May, after immigrating here via a K1 in 2014. My GC expires in August. We had misunderstood the timeline for ROC because it sounded like we could expect it to be completed before my GC expired. I know, I know. I should have researched it more. But, here's the situation...

We have plans to move from AZ to PA in September. My husband (the sole provider because I am a student) would be quitting his job and might be unemployed for awhile during the process, because the move is for family reasons. All of his family is in PA and we want to move there to spend time with his grandfather before we lose the opportunity because his health has been declining in the last year. The goal was set for September because we assumed the ROC process would be complete, otherwise we would have moved already.

How much of a problem would moving during the process be, especially since we would be switching service centers? Would my husband being jobless during part of the process hurt our case? Are we going to have to wait until possibly next spring before we can move, risking the loss of time with family?

Moving prior does not seem very likely, as we both have health situations we need to resolve before we become doctorless (family is struggling to find doctors where we would be moving to), and my semester does not end until late May. But it may be an option if it has to be, it would just mean we likely wouldn't be able to file for ROC until very close to the expiration date, which is kind of scary.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Edited March 14, 2016 by IntoTheLight

[Cheezees 1,514]

Hi Everyone,

I will be due to apply for ROC in May, after immigrating here via a K1 in 2014. My GC expires in August. We had misunderstood the timeline for ROC because it sounded like we could expect it to be completed before my GC expired. I know, I know. I should have researched it more. But, here's the situation...

We have plans to move from AZ to PA in September. My husband (the sole provider because I am a student) would be quitting his job and might be unemployed for awhile during the process, because the move is for family reasons. All of his family is in PA and we want to move there to spend time with his grandfather before we lose the opportunity because his health has been declining in the last year. The goal was set for September because we assumed the ROC process would be complete, otherwise we would have moved already.

How much of a problem would moving during the process be, especially since we would be switching service centers? Not too much. Would my husband being jobless during part of the process hurt our case? See I-751 instruction form. Are we going to have to wait until possibly next spring before we can move, risking the loss of time with family? See I-751 instruction form.

Moving prior does not seem very likely, as we both have health situations we need to resolve before we become doctorless (family is struggling to find doctors where we would be moving to), and my semester does not end until late May. But it may be an option if it has to be, it would just mean we likely wouldn't be able to file for ROC until very close to the expiration date, which is kind of scary.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Please read the forms related to the ROC process, paying particular attention to the kinds of evidence needed at uscis.gov/forms. The answers to your questions can be found there. Good luck!

[IntoTheLight 5]

Please read the forms related to the ROC process, paying particular attention to the kinds of evidence needed at uscis.gov/forms. The answers to your questions can be found there. Good luck!

Thanks for replying so quickly! I've actually already looked at the forms, instructions, and guide on VisaJourney, but am still really unsure about the above questions. When I did a search in the forum it seemed that it was suggested to not move during the process because it could complicate things and cause problems. Also, the evidence of joint living situation would change because we would be staying with family, with no lease or proof of current address. :\

[Cheezees 1,514]

If your GC expires in August, the evidence you would be submitting would have nothing to do with your move in September. Many people before you have moved during the ROC (in fact I moved during my AOS). Many people have lived apart from their spouses (my husband and I lived apart during part of our AOS). I hope this info helps!

[Villanelle 4,122]

Hey if you have to move you have to move. Even if its you just want to move- same thing. While its not advisable to move during any process- it happens. USCIS has forms for every situation. Live your life as you would if there was no USCIS involvement. You would use the change of address form when you move.

For your questions-

How much of a problem would moving during the process be, especially since we would be switching service centers?

Eh. USCIS has a process for when people move. How difficult is it for them? I dont know. I dont really care much. Not sure why you do. Now theres no guarantee moving wont cause your process to go slower or paperwork to be lost and needing to be resent- but theres no guarantee if you dont move your process will go smooth either.

Would my husband being jobless during part of the process hurt our case?

No. Income has nothing to do with ROC

Are we going to have to wait until possibly next spring before we can move, risking the loss of time with family?

Like I said, live how you want to live. USCIS will accommodate you.

Also, the evidence of joint living situation would change because we would be staying with family, with no lease or proof of current address. :\

Any changes from when you sent in the form to the interview (if there is one) can be addressed at the interview.