I-130 confused about physical address

[sharpie11 6]

Filing the I-130 for my spouse. I am a US citizen resident in the US, wife is an Indian citizen. I have traveled a couple of times to India since I got married early last year although my permanent residence is in the US. I have currently been in India since Feb (on a tourist visa - no job), and intend to mail in the application from here, and then fly back to the US in a month or two.

 

Since my permanent address is in the US, but I have made these two longish visits to India, do I need to list my India stays and address in India in the physical address history ? Or does physical address really mean permanent address in which case my physical address remains my US address even though I have traveled to India temporarily? (I have got somewhat confusing responses on this before, so just re-asking)

[geowrian 22,337]

Normally you would not list visits abroad.

That said, a 7-9 month trip abroad is pretty hefty...in many countries that is sufficient for residency requirements. Some people stay/overstay in a country for years, and obviously have a form of residency (legally or not) there, regardless fo visa type.

Unless you were working there or something, I think you would be fine just listing the US address(es)...the trips abroad will still be known to USCIS anyway.

Edited August 6, 2018 by geowrian

[sharpie11 6]

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

Normally you would not list visits abroad.

That said, a 7-9 month trip abroad is pretty hefty...in many countries that is sufficient for residency requirements. Some people stay/overstay in a country for years, and obviously have a form of residency (legally or not) there, regardless fo visa type.

Unless you were working there or something, I think you would be fine just listing the US address(es)...the trips abroad will still be known to USCIS anyway.

Right... I am not overstaying in India and neither am I considered a resident, as I traveled in and out to maintain my tourist visa status ( I have a multiple entry tourist visa ). I am of course currently unemployed, and intend to return to the US soon. I was planning to list out my US address as my physical address, but write a letter stating that I have been visiting India and was staying with my wife on my trips here (I have passport stamps, photos with my wife etc as evidence). 

 

So Physical address really means permanent address or the address where you are resident (and does not include temporary addresses used when you travel) then?

 

Also there is a place in the I-130 to list out Petitioner's phone number. Can I put my US phone number there even though I am currently abroad ?

Edited August 6, 2018 by sharpie11

[geowrian 22,337]

19 minutes ago, sharpie11 said:

So Physical address really means permanent address or the address where you are resident (and does not include temporary addresses used when you travel) then?

 

Also there is a place in the I-130 to list out Petitioner's phone number. Can I put my US phone number there even though I am currently abroad ?

It means the address where you physically live & reside. There isn't a hard line on visiting vs residing. Either way, it's just background information so I wouldn't worry too much about it. As noted, I would just list the US address since the stay is temporary.

 

Yes, that's fine.

[sharpie11 6]

6 minutes ago, geowrian said:

It means the address where you physically live & reside. There isn't a hard line on visiting vs residing. Either way, it's just background information so I wouldn't worry too much about it. As noted, I would just list the US address since the stay is temporary.

 

Yes, that's fine.

Ok great thank you so much!