I tried finding a recent thread with more complete information about options and procedures when both US citizen and their spouse live overseas (since the guide seems to be out-of-date), so I apologize if this has been discussed recently.
Our case: married 5 years, 2 kids (US Citizens), live in Chile, looking to move back to the US (wife actually had a green card before we moved to Chile)
From what I understand:
- DCF now is only available for certain circumstance (emergencies, military, job relocation?)
- If I apply with the I-130 I can't apply with DCF
- If we don't qualify for DCF we need to apply for a IR1 like normal (seems can be done online now), and is taking 18-24 months it seems like
- For the form I-864 affadavit of support, I won't have domicile, but I would be able to show intent (I have an active bank account in the US, drivers license, can show job applications, pontetially could register kids for school if needed), plus for the monetary side my parents to joint-sponsor without any issue. With all of that I assume it shouldn't be an issue.
Can anyone confirm or deny any of my assumptions above? Or if there is some other key I am missing.
Also my big question is if anyone has had sucess with the DCF with a job relocation exception? I could probably land a job in the US, with a start date and could try that route, and does seem like it would be faster. But I am nervous that the time it takes to be ready to move, get a job, process time of the DCF, etc. could be wasted if it doesn't work and then I lose all the wait time when I then have to apply for the I-130.
Thanks!