Applying for marriage green card, different states

[Mitchhh 0]

Hi, 

 

My spouse and I recently got married and are planning to apply for GC through marriage. He's a USC and I have an H1B visa so I understand we could go for concurrently filing I-130 and I-485. However, he moved back home to PA for work while I'm back here in UT since I can't forego my H1B visa yet. He used to live here in Utah and we've lived together for 2 and half years before deciding to get married and have all the necessary paperwork to show that we have a bona fide marriage (old leasing agreements, joint utilities, health and life insurances, joint bank accounts). 

 

Main question: If we start the GC process while living from different states, where would we send our I-130 and I-485 packets? From what I understand, the PA and UT lockboxes are different for direct filing by mail for I485. I wanna stay here in Utah and not let go of the H1B visa until the EAD gets approved at least, then I can possibly move to Pennsylvania.

 

Or I can probably look for another H1b sponsorship in PA and work there instead? That will eliminate the complication of living in different states? If only it's that easy to find a company who'll sponsor H1B! 😕

 

Looking forward and appreciate your replies, it has been a stressful few weeks! 

Edited June 9, 2022 by Mitchhh

[Chancy 6,243]

17 minutes ago, Mitchhh said:

Main question: If we start the GC process while living from different states, where would we send our I-130 and I-485 packets? From what I understand, the PA and UT lockboxes are different for direct filing by mail for I485. I wanna stay here in Utah and not let go of the H1B visa until the EAD gets approved at least, then I can possibly move to Pennsylvania.

 

I think it's a good idea to hold on to the H1B until you get your GC (or EAD at least).  If you're going to list your Utah address as your current physical address on the I-485 form, then you should send your package to the lockbox facility for Utah residents (ie. Phoenix lockbox).

 

[Mitchhh 0]

43 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

I think it's a good idea to hold on to the H1B until you get your GC (or EAD at least).  If you're going to list your Utah address as your current physical address on the I-485 form, then you should send your package to the lockbox facility for Utah residents (ie. Phoenix lockbox).

 

Hey thanks for your reply! So we should send both packets to Phoenix? I plan to move to Pennsylvania when the EAD gets approved. I believe the PA lockbox is in Chicago and that's what confuses me the most. 

[Verrou 1,962]

6 minutes ago, Mitchhh said:

Hey thanks for your reply! So we should send both packets to Phoenix? I plan to move to Pennsylvania when the EAD gets approved. I believe the PA lockbox is in Chicago and that's what confuses me the most. 

Just want to add on something, many ( not all) people got issue when they changed their address during the process. Even though u file change of address AR-11 online but it seems the system is not “connected” and they end up with mambo jambo notice go to new place but interview letter go to old place

 

just wanted you to be aware. Not always happened but still 

Edited June 10, 2022 by Misscloud

[Chancy 6,243]

12 hours ago, Mitchhh said:

So we should send both packets to Phoenix? I plan to move to Pennsylvania when the EAD gets approved.

 

Yes, send the entire package to the Phoenix lockbox if you list your current address in Utah.  Be aware that sending the change address request to USCIS doesn't always go well for AOS applicants, as @Misscloud mentioned above.

 

[Mitchhh 0]

If there's any issue with the change of address, will it really matter if we do the electronic updates as well? Wouldn't they notify us in our emails and if we have a USCIS account?

 

Again, I appreciate your replies.

[Chancy 6,243]

2 minutes ago, Mitchhh said:

If there's any issue with the change of address, will it really matter if we do the electronic updates as well? Wouldn't they notify us in our emails and if we have a USCIS account?

 

All you can do is send in your address change through all the available avenues (USCIS account, AR-11, I-865), follow up with USCIS regularly, and hope for the best.  We just gave you a heads-up because there have been reports from members who got their interview notice sent to the wrong address despite sending their address change on time.

 

[carmel34 3,661]

11 minutes ago, Mitchhh said:

If there's any issue with the change of address, will it really matter if we do the electronic updates as well? Wouldn't they notify us in our emails and if we have a USCIS account?

AR-11 online is the first step to change an address and easy.  I-865 for primary and any joint sponsors, paper filing only.  After doing the address change online with the AR-11, wait a couple of weeks and then call USCIS, ask for a tier 2 person, then confirm that they have your new address in their system.  Sometimes they respond to the AR-11 with an email to confirm the change, sometimes they don't.  But I suggest that you call to confirm until the address has been updated.  Good luck!