Can I Apply for CR1 From Outside USA?

[RioJaguarJr 0]

So we are thinking of having a civil wedding in the US (bigger church wedding later) and then both of us will go to her home country for a few months. I am pretty sure I cannot submit the I130 until she is out of the country but my question is can I submit it while I am out of the country visiting her? From what I have read it seems like there is an online option which I would use to do this. Is the online option inferior to the paper mailing process or does nit not matter?

[powerpuff 6,708]

You can submit an I-130 at any time after marriage, even if she’s still in the US at the time of filing. 
 

there’s an online filing option as well,  it comes down to your preference. 

Edited October 26, 2022 by powerpuff

[NikoTaino 51]

2 hours ago, RioJaguarJr said:

So we are thinking of having a civil wedding in the US (bigger church wedding later) and then both of us will go to her home country for a few months. I am pretty sure I cannot submit the I130 until she is out of the country but my question is can I submit it while I am out of the country visiting her? From what I have read it seems like there is an online option which I would use to do this. Is the online option inferior to the paper mailing process or does nit not matter?

@powerpuff already answer your question.

But I want to add that the online option is actually superior to the mailing process since everything is submitted immediately, and you don't need to wait for the papers to arrive by mail to a USCIS office and all those issues with processing papers nowadays.

[Daphne . 1,866]

Yes you can submit while you are visiting in her home country. I would suggest doing it online in that case. 

[pushbrk 12,898]

And, yes you can submit while still in the USA.  Not sure where you got the idea that was not ok.  I think it's cleaner and avoids confusion if you actually file after she leaves but if that's going to delay you more than a couple weeks, the concern is a minor one.  Just make sure you complete the form as if she is going to "apply for a visa" at a Consulate abroad and enter N/A for where she will adjust status.

 

Note that ALL VISAS are "applied for" from outside the USA.  YOU aren't applying for anything.  When your I-130 petition is approved, SHE will be invited to apply for the visa.