Moving after filing I-130

[Disfan01 9]

I am a US citizen who was living abroad with my husband (South African citizen) so we filed all of our paperwork for him abroad previously. We are now living together in the US and are preparing to file an I-130 to bring my stepson to live with us here. We are also currently in the process of having a house built. So we will be moving twice in a short period of time. Our current house has been sold (we will be closing Dec. 1) and we will temporarily be living at a relative’s home while our house is being built. I wanted to go ahead and file the I-130 because I have read the processing times have been longer than normal and we would like to have him here before school starts in 2022 so he’s not starting after the school year has begun.  That being said, would our having 3 addresses in such a short time be an issue or set off any red flags with USCIS?  

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

No issue as far as USCIS. 

[JFH 12,190]

No problem at all. Make sure you update the address with USCIS each time you move. Have you considered getting a PO Box for mail during your transition period? 

[Disfan01 9]

Thanks so much!  I hadn’t thought of getting a PO Box...that’s a great idea! 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

2 hours ago, Disfan01 said:

I wanted to go ahead and file the I-130 because I have read the processing times have been longer than normal and we would like to have him here before school starts in 2022 so he’s not starting after the school year has begun.  

Are you filing ir2 for (step)son of USC, did he meet the age cut-off at the time of your marriage? 
 

edit: just saw your other post. The risk with filing F2A is if the category regresses from being current (very possible as these visas are currently banned and therefore backlogged) it may end up being a long wait for the priority date to be current. That’s not a problem you’d face with IR2. IR visas have also always had priority in limited reopenings at embassies afted Covid. Overall I think IR is a safer route. How old is your stepson?

Edited November 19, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[Disfan01 9]

8 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Are you filing ir2 for (step)son of USC, did he meet the age cut-off at the time of your marriage? 
 

edit: just saw your other post. The risk with filing F2A is if the category regresses from being current (very possible as these visas are currently banned and therefore backlogged) it may end up being a long wait for the priority date to be current. That’s not a problem you’d face with IR2. IR visas have also always had priority in limited reopenings at embassies afted Covid. Overall I think IR is a safer route. How old is your stepson?

Thanks for your help.  Stepson is 10 years old.  I’m hoping to get approval before he would enter middle school.  

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, Disfan01 said:

Thanks for your help.  Stepson is 10 years old.  I’m hoping to get approval before he would enter middle school.  

Ok. The ultra cautious route would be to file both and see which one comes up first, but I’m not sure that’s worth it in this case. I would be almost certain IR would always end up faster.

 

It’s going to be an awkward transition for the kid either way, as the school year difference means he will either skip half a grade or go back half a grade. The upside is it’s generally easier to settle in to a routine and social circle when they’re young. Remember to keep the vaccination worksheet kid will get at the visa medical, as the school will want to see that as proof of vaccinations - this is something that gets overlooked sometimes.