When is the best time for me to move back to the US?

[geowrian 22,337]

18 minutes ago, Nitas_man said:

Only US income applies for a support affidavit.

More specifically, only income that will continue from the same source counts.  A business owner where the business will continue can count. Investment income may count. An employee who will work remotely for the same company may count.

Usually this does not apply, but there are some cases where  people have done so fine.

[SalishSea 17,829]

11 hours ago, geowrian said:

File the I-130 now.

Once legally married.

[SalishSea 17,829]

1 hour ago, Lil bear said:

You are correct. There isn’t one. DCF for AUST /NZ has been approved in a few exceptional circumstances only 

OP won't be able to DCF.  The circumstances are not exceptional.

[SalishSea 17,829]

10 hours ago, Duke & Marie said:

Sydney processes Oceanic countries, to my knowledge we’re not Asia pacific 

I do not think this is correct.  Previously, DCF requests for NZ were processed via Bangkok, but that USCIS office has closed.

[geowrian 22,337]

13 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Once legally married.

Yes...that piece is important!

7 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

I do not think this is correct.  Previously, DCF requests for NZ were processed via Bangkok, but that USCIS office has closed.

Even then it was only in exceptional circumstances still. They had NZ under their jurisdiction (IIRC), but that's different than having one in the country where you would interview.

[Lil bear 4,213]

2 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

I do not think this is correct.  Previously, DCF requests for NZ were processed via Bangkok, but that USCIS office has closed.

Correct. Neither Australia nor NZ has a USCIS office 

[ztiberiusd 38]

Jorgedig and Geowrian, I'm still not sold on filing the I-130 as soon as possible (I know I sound crazy). 

 

It seems too soon to send it if I'm going to need to fill out an I-864 with six months of pay stubs etc, all in February of 2022 (once I have worked in the US for 6 months). Even considering the application can stay in the NVC for a year, this may not be enough time. Plus, VJ's Service Center Statistics show an average closer to approx 7 months between NOA1 and NOA2. If I sent I-130 in April 2020 and case was sent to NVC in Dec 2020 or Jan 2021 then it wouldn't be possible to move in July 2021 and file I-864 showing income requirements + 6 months of pay stubs. It seems counter-intuitive to hold off from filing I-130, but aren't I running a significant risk in filing too soon and not being able to prove income in time? Then we'd have to start all over again... 😱 

[Lil bear 4,213]

9 minutes ago, ztiberiusd said:

Jorgedig and Geowrian, I'm still not sold on filing the I-130 as soon as possible (I know I sound crazy). 

 

It seems too soon to send it if I'm going to need to fill out an I-864 with six months of pay stubs etc, all in February of 2022 (once I have worked in the US for 6 months). Even considering the application can stay in the NVC for a year, this may not be enough time. Plus, VJ's Service Center Statistics show an average closer to approx 7 months between NOA1 and NOA2. If I sent I-130 in April 2020 and case was sent to NVC in Dec 2020 or Jan 2021 then it wouldn't be possible to move in July 2021 and file I-864 showing income requirements + 6 months of pay stubs. It seems counter-intuitive to hold off from filing I-130, but aren't I running a significant risk in filing too soon and not being able to prove income in time? Then we'd have to start all over again... 😱 

Once you have an approved I130 you can slow the process down at the NVC stage. I agree to filing  the 130 now .. read up

on the NVC process and you will understand how the pace there is somewhat under your control .... better than being delayed by the process of the I 130 approval and then still having the NVC and relocation ahead of you 

[HRQX 4,145]

15 hours ago, Duke & Marie said:

although you may be eligible for DCF

Must have exceptional circumstances: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2012/May/DOS-I130May1412.pdf

14 hours ago, Duke & Marie said:

Sydney processes Oceanic countries, to my knowledge we’re not Asia pacific 

Both Australia and NZ are in the Asia/Pacific District. Both belonged to USCIS Bangkok before it closed down last month: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/thailand-uscis-bangkok-field-office "were previously assisted by the USCIS Bangkok Field Office (which includes individuals residing in Australia, New Zealand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, East Timor, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong)"

Edited January 6, 2020 by HRQX

[SalishSea 17,829]

37 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Once you have an approved I130 you can slow the process down at the NVC stage. I agree to filing  the 130 now .. read up

on the NVC process and you will understand how the pace there is somewhat under your control .... better than being delayed by the process of the I 130 approval and then still having the NVC and relocation ahead of you 

Concur with this option.

[NikLR 13,227]

Its better to be able to take your time than to worry about when. 

Since you can draw the process at the NVC stage for years you can submit the most recent I-864 when you're ready. You dont HAVE to submit forms just because you can.  But doing the I-130 now for next year immigration is wise. 

[ztiberiusd 38]

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

Its better to be able to take your time than to worry about when. 

Since you can draw the process at the NVC stage for years you can submit the most recent I-864 when you're ready. You dont HAVE to submit forms just because you can.  But doing the I-130 now for next year immigration is wise. 

Okay, this is what I'll do. Does the 12 months that the NVC will wait 'reset' each time you submit something new?

[HRQX 4,145]

9 minutes ago, ztiberiusd said:

Does the 12 months that the NVC will wait...

You can also call NVC about every 12 months to avoid them sending it back to USCIS:

 

[Lil bear 4,213]

6 minutes ago, ztiberiusd said:

Okay, this is what I'll do. Does the 12 months that the NVC will wait 'reset' each time you submit something new?

Yes .. you must make contact with them,  in one way or another , with no longer than a 12 months gap. Quite easy to pace it .. pay a fee, wait a few months , pay another fee, wait a few months , complete and submit the DS2690 , wait a few months , submit a document ... wait etc. 

[Boiler 45,516]

File in April makes sense, move in July 2021 and you will be very close on current timelines, they could lengthen, get a few months of pay to show you meet the I 864.