Filing I-130 While Overseas, Mistake?

[ChristymH 0]

Hello all! Is it a bad idea to file form I-130 while overseas? Will this cause issues later on? I know I must show I have/plan to return and stay in the US, but with the long processing time, I want to stay with my husband as long as I can before I have to leave.

My thoughts are:

1. going back to the US and stay for a month or so, establish myself (perhaps get a lease with family member) renew my driver's license along with a few other things, then come back to Egypt and wait with my husband 

2. file I-130 while in Egypt and move back to the US after it is done being process (with the hopes it is approved) unless this is risky? 

I'd love to hear others thoughts and/or experiences so I can form a better judgement on how best to proceed.  🙏

[Troy B 223]

well main questions i have, 

1) Will you have residency in Egypt to stay with your husband?   Reminder this process takes 18+ months (from i130 to passport with visa in hand)

2) And if you are not in the US,  who is going to sponsor your husband (financially)?

[ChristymH 0]

1 minute ago, Troy B said:

well main questions i have, 

1) Will you have residency in Egypt to stay with your husband?   Reminder this process takes 18+ months (from i130 to passport with visa in hand)

2) And if you are not in the US,  who is going to sponsor your husband (financially)?

Hi Troy! Yes, I have residency to stay in Egypt for three years. As far as who will be able to sponsor my husband, I can do it if I decide to stay in the US and wait the processing period there. Or there is the topic of a joint sponsor that I'm currently looking into as well. Perhaps immigration will also have this question if I file while in Egypt and they see my Egyptian address? I'm worried it would cause issues, so I'm trying to figure out the best place to be before I file.

[Troy B 223]

Either way, it makes sense to have US based address for any mail the government sends you.  Though from what I saw,  it's always available online before it arrives via mail.    As long as you intending on living in the USA with your husband, revealing the Egypt address is no trouble.

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

Many have filed while living outside the US

What u need to know:

1.  U need a US address / best to know where u would go when visa is issued

2.  U need to file the I 864 (later at NVC stage)  as u are primary petitioner / along with I 864 for joint sponsor if needed 

3.  U should have filed US tax returns for any monies earned outside the US

4.  CO may require proof of US job to support the spouse

5.  and u can file online but the following address is for those filing by mail outside the US

You are only filing Form I-130, and you live outside the United States*

USCIS Elgin Lockbox U.S. Postal Service (USPS):  USCIS Attn: I-130 P.O. Box 4053 Carol Stream, IL  60197-4053 FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:  USCIS  Attn: I-130 (Box 4053) 2500 Westfield Drive  Elgin, IL 60124-7836

 

 

Incha allah   all will go good for u

[Black Unicorn 22]

On 11/15/2022 at 4:18 PM, ChristymH said:

Hello all! Is it a bad idea to file form I-130 while overseas? Will this cause issues later on? I know I must show I have/plan to return and stay in the US, but with the long processing time, I want to stay with my husband as long as I can before I have to leave.

My thoughts are:

1. going back to the US and stay for a month or so, establish myself (perhaps get a lease with family member) renew my driver's license along with a few other things, then come back to Egypt and wait with my husband 

2. file I-130 while in Egypt and move back to the US after it is done being process (with the hopes it is approved) unless this is risky? 

I'd love to hear others thoughts and/or experiences so I can form a better judgement on how best to proceed.  🙏

Send an email to the US embassy/consulate in Egypt and see if you all might qualify for Direct filing. It's worth a shot! This way if you do you can do everything there but directly through the embassy instead of the USCIS. We are going through the process in Germany and what I can tell from the VJ forums and the official immigration website you can write a letter to submit with your petition or application that you intend on getting a place in the US. Each situation is different and there are a multitude of possibilities.If you have a house or lease agreement stateside then, no worries. If not the letter would explain it. You could always go with option 1 as well.

 

I would start by contacting the embassy and going from there. Good Luck🥰

Edited November 19, 2022 by Black Unicorn