US Immigration from Hungary

I know the title is a bit confusing, so please allow me to explain. We filed an I-130 in 2017, and it was approved, however, on the form we requested AOS, not consular processing. Now, we are abroad, so we would need to fill out an I-824 to proceed.

After looking at processing times on the USCIS website, it seems that the I-824 will take 7-12 months, while the I-130 should take only 5-7 months (assuming it's processed at the Texas service center, which is where I would mail the document based on the USCIS website). One thing to consider, however, is that we will file it online - so I am unsure which service center would process the application.

Anyways, the I-130 is slightly more expensive ($70), but it seems that the processing time is faster and there is the added convenience of online filing. What do you think - is this a good strategy? Is there any penalty for filing an additional I-130? Also, which center is most likely to process an online I-130 application (hopefully not Vermont, the wait times are incredibly long)? Thanks in advance!

I petitioned for an I-130 for my spouse in 2017, and it was approved shortly after. Now, I'm about to file an I-824 to transfer my case from USCIS to the NVC, but am concerned that perhaps my case has expired somehow?

On the USCIS online webpage, I am able to find my receipt number, and it says, "Case was approved." Anyways, I wanted to double check with this forum that nothing here is awry, because after all, 2017 was a while ago. Perhaps it's obviously okay, but $500 is a lot of money, so better to check here first rather than be sorry! Thank you for your help!

Hi everyone,

We are in a special situation since we live on the Island of Guam and planning on moving to somewhere cheaper to live in the mainland. This tiny island feels really isolated. Our diplomas are in the IT and Accounting field and hopefully we can find a job quite fast anywhere with those qualifications. We are looking to buy a house rather than renting so we are looking for for some affordable options (ideally below $150k). Definitely somewhere near by a bigger city. Please help to find a nice place for us since this country is huge and frankly we don't even know where to start looking.

What do you think is a good, safe, affordable place to live in the mainland?

Should I worry about anything if I would move somewhere as a green card holder?

Thank you for your opinions!

Daniel

My Hungarian fiance and I (US Citizen) are planning on getting married in Ireland (where he and his family reside) this September. After that, we plan to apply for the CR-1 Visa.

At first, we were thinking we could have him stay on VWP for less than 90 days and then he could go to Mexico for a few days and re-enter. I now realize that could easily constitute border hopping.

Anyway, some complications to our situation:

1) I am a full-time student and can't take longer than 2 quarters (about 5 months) off of enrolment to maintain my admission. I am currently on leave for work and will have to return in September just after we get married.

2) He is currently trying to find an EU-based remote working job so he can make money while in the US, which would mean he quits his current job. Is that an ok thing to do? Would that maintain enough of a tie to EU to eliminate issues when entering US on VWP?

4) While he has a well-paying job and mine is decent, we both have student loans and a wedding to pay for (though we're trying to keep costs to a minimum!).

5) While we're very good at long distance, we are looking forward to finally living together. If our only option is to live apart and make short but very few visits, we'll do more than our best. But given it's a marriage, we want to do everything we can to remain physically together.

We're now considering the following:

- We get married in September in Ireland.

- We enter the US a few days/weeks after our wedding, fiance on VWP with a return ticket already purchased for December. I go to school and work for one quarter. Fiance works remotely from EU-based job. While living in the US, we would be staying in a studio apartment rented from my parents. No formal lease to attach him permanently to the address.

- While in US, we apply for CR-1.

- In December, before his 90 days on VWP are up, we return to Ireland and stay there while fiance continues to work remotely or perhaps at his old job? Not sure yet. I may be able to do some online coursework and care for his family members (non-paid). I may also be able to do research for my degree there (we met while I was studying abroad in Ireland). I could be there for up to 90 days on a tourist visa.

- Depending on CR-1 status at this point, we could either 1) live separately for a short time waiting on CR-1 greencard approval, me studying in US, him working in Ireland. Or we could 2) do the switcheroo back to the US so I can study in US while he's here working remotely.

- Depending on options we would then: 1) Schedule our interview at the consulate in Dublin and he would enter US on CR-1. Would I need to be at the interview? or 2) Schedule an interview at an embassy in the US. Is it possible to do this for visitors on the VWP? Then have him fly in from Mexico or Canada (or somewhere else with inexpensive flights) on CR-1.

It's a little complicated, but is this situation viable? I will so appreciate any advice anyone can give. We already decided after months of back-and-forth that K-1 wasn't going to work for us so we're really trying to make the CR-1 work. And of course this is all dependent on the COVID-19 situation. Sorry if this was a headache to read!

Much love

Hi,

I am filing taxes for the first time (jointly). I arrived on a K1 visa and got married in Jan.

I got my Green card in May 2019.

I can see all over the news that its really important to put ?immigrant? on the forms.

Where are those fields exactly? Where I should pay attention and what do I have to write exactly?

Thanks,

Daniel