US citizen applying for Green Card for wife - outside of US (Latvia)

[Mollie09 1,543]

Your best option is filing for an I-130, DCF is a very long shot for you and likely won't happen.

You will need to show proof of domicile in the US and intent to establish residence. So having a job, a house, etc. helps, and it usually requires you to move back to the US first without your wife.

[pushbrk 13,260]

3 hours ago, hansmoleman said:

ok, but doesn't that mean I will have to spend a large amount of time apart from my family? This is what concerns me the most, is that my wife and child will have to stay in Latvia while the process is ongoing (in the event that I do find a job in the US).

 

I am also a bit unclear at which point I have to submit the I-864 form? Is that together with the I-130? Since as I understand it, I have to show gainful employment there, but, as I am currently working in Latvia - wouldn't they be looking for employment in the US?

You are not thinking straight.  The only immigrant is your wife.  Your child can come to the US any time, just like you can.  Would you bring the child without the mother?  Probably not, but that is a separate issue from any "requirement".  Chances are, you are going to be separated from your family for a while, unless you use parents or other relative as a qualified joint sponsor.  If you do that, you may be coming to the US with your family and no job yet.  You have some decisions to make. Some may not be easy.

[pushbrk 13,260]

2 hours ago, Mollie09 said:

Your best option is filing for an I-130, DCF is a very long shot for you and likely won't happen.

You will need to show proof of domicile in the US and intent to establish residence. So having a job, a house, etc. helps, and it usually requires you to move back to the US first without your wife.

Having a job in the US is a practical concern but not required for domicile issues.

[Sweetamooni 70]

12 hours ago, hansmoleman said:

ok, but doesn't that mean I will have to spend a large amount of time apart from my family? This is what concerns me the most, is that my wife and child will have to stay in Latvia while the process is ongoing (in the event that I do find a job in the US).

 

I am also a bit unclear at which point I have to submit the I-864 form? Is that together with the I-130? Since as I understand it, I have to show gainful employment there, but, as I am currently working in Latvia - wouldn't they be looking for employment in the US?

I am also a US Citizen. I filled for my husband and we are both living in europe together. I filed the I-130 and on that form I chose Warsaw embassy for processing.

 

when it’s approved we will continue to apply for his immigration visa (green card) through consular processing. This allows us to stay together.

 

i have two children with my husband who i previously applied for certificate of births abroad for them to get the

 Theo us passports ahead of time.

 

 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

Even if you did not owe taxes as you feel under the foreign earned income exclusion. you had to file taxes for each year with IRS

 

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-earned-income-exclusion-requirements

 

if this is not done,  fix it before interview

 

you also need US residency before interview

and job or cosponsor

 

[expat 0]

Okay, there are several steps to the Immigration Process. The First requires you to file the I-130 with Immigration. Since it appears Latavia doesn't have a local US Immigration office at the embassy to handle visas, you will either need to prove hardship with the US Immigration Office in Moscow or file through the US. US Domicile does not need to be proven until you get to the second part of the Visa Process (State Department).

 

When your I-130 is approved, you will need to complete the I-260? (from memory) online. get your foreign criminal records checks done for the immigrant.

 

When you get to the last part of the process, the Immigrant will need to go through a Visa Interview at the US Embassy. The I-865 will be required for this step. That is when the sponsor will need to prove domicile. Domicile can be proven in different ways, ie. the US Address you are living at, your job, bank account, etc.

 

I was fortunate enough to reside in a country with an Immigration office in the US Embassy, and I had resided in that country for several years before. Therefore, I was able to handle all the paperwork through the US Embassy there. So, I do not know all the details for filing through the US. my thoughts to you is to contact the US Embassy in Latavia and talk with someone if you can.

 

Additionally, there are a number of fees associated with bringing your spouse to the US, besides airfare. It can be well over $1000 for the different fees.

 

Best of luck.

[sweetyouandme 0]

Hi! How is it going with your application process? I am a Latvian who married US Citizen and we did K1 visa, now waiting for Adjustment of status to become permanent resident with green card. I think using joint sponsor would be the easiest if it is allowed in your case which I think it should be. I hope you have relatives in USA or good friends who could be joint sponsor. You can read about joint sponsor in I-130 documents, instructions.