Can I apply through the DORA program?

T

texas_girl

Registered Users (C)
Hello Everyone!

Thank you for previous responses. I have one more question, though. Me and my husband were misinformed at the beginning, and when we called USCIS, they told us to submit I-130 first and then wait for the approval before filing other applications. And as I said now it takes forever. LucyMO told me that we could speed it all up by sending I-485 package together with the Notice of Action we got after sending I-130. But I found out about DORA and, since we live in Texas, I thought that maybe we could try it. Do you think that since we already filed I-130, we could schedule an appointment in Dallas and bring I-485 package to the meeting/interview? Or maybe since we already sent I-130, we should do it the "normal" way (sending the rest in mail and waiting for scheduling the interview)? Can you give me some advise on that/ share your experience?:confused:
By the way we live in Austin, TX.
 
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texas_girl said:
Hello Everyone!

Thank you for previous responses. I have one more question, though. Me and my husband were misinformed at the beginning, and when we called USCIS, they told us to submit I-130 first and then wait for the approval before filing other applications. And as I said now it takes forever. LucyMO told me that we could speed it all up by sending I-485 package together with the Notice of Action we got after sending I-130. But I found out about DORA and, since we live in Texas, I thought that maybe we could try it. Do you think that since we already filed I-130, we could schedule an appointment in Dallas and bring I-485 package to the meeting/interview? Or maybe since we already sent I-130, we should do it the "normal" way (sending the rest in mail and waiting for scheduling the interview)? Can you give me some advise on that/ share your experience?:confused:
By the way we live in Austin, TX.
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Sorry you were misinformed. You filed the I30 first whenever it is a situation that foreign spouse in not in the USA. I am assuming spouse is in the USA?? What you can do is 2 things.

1. Withdraw your I30 and refile entire package- 130, 485, 693, 765, (131 - if no overstay and want to travel while application is pending;however if you file DORA, the 131 may not be necessary).

2. Wait for the NOA of approval on 130 and then file 485 along with the other documents.
 
NeShawn said:
Sorry you were misinformed. You filed the I30 first whenever it is a situation that foreign spouse in not in the USA. I am assuming spouse is in the USA?? What you can do is 2 things.

1. Withdraw your I30 and refile entire package- 130, 485, 693, 765, (131 - if no overstay and want to travel while application is pending;however if you file DORA, the 131 may not be necessary).

2. Wait for the NOA of approval on 130 and then file 485 along with the other documents.
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Thanks so much for your response. Yes, I am married to a USC, and I am already in the US. We got married in January and right after we got married we filed I-130. We didn't know we could file I-485 package without waiting for the approval of I-130, but now since I have been told we could do it, I won't wait for the approval, tomorrow I am going to have my medical checkup done, and as soon as I have the envelope in my hand we are sending the whole package to the Chicago lockbox. I am just kind of upset that we wasted all that time, it's been already almost 2 months since they received the I-130... Oh well, but thank you so much for your help!!!
 
You can't file through DORA as Austin is covered by the San Antonio Field Office. You can only file though DORA if you live in the jurisdiction of the Dallas, El Paso or Oklahoma City district offices.
 
dr_lha said:
You can't file through DORA as Austin is covered by the San Antonio Field Office. You can only file though DORA if you live in the jurisdiction of the Dallas, El Paso or Oklahoma City district offices.
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Thanks anyway... we will do it the "traditional" way :)
 
Not necessarily...

NeShawn said:
You have to withdraw previous 130. Make sure you check on the status of that. Best wishes.
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Neshawn,

I am going to differ with your suggestions. I think OP should wait for USCIS to issue a receipt of NOA on her I-130. Once she is issued a receipt or NOA, then she can make a copy of I-130 NOA and mail the entire package to Chicago. It is not necessary for her to withdraw her I-130, because it will be a waste of time and money on her part.

Texas_Girl.... did you receive a Notice of Action receipt for the submission of I-130? If so, then you need to put together the entire package to Chicago with a copy of I-130 Notice of Action. In the package: I-485,G325a, I-693, I-765, and I-131 if your overstay was less than 180 days or risk being barred and banned from the US for three years or more.

You should be fine and able to move the process without waiting for the approval of I-130. At the interview, USCIS will approve your I-130 with I-485 petition, so the USCIS officer who advised to wait for the approval of I-130 was wrong, which they are 99% of the time on many issued.:eek:
 
Agreed Al, in fact I thought I had told texas_girl to do this on a previous occasion. Perhaps I'm getting mixed up.
 
Thanks Al for the offered advice. I guess it would be more effective to do it like you say. I apologize for not being as accurate. :o
 
NeShawn said:
Thanks Al for the offered advice. I guess it would be more effective to do it like you say. I apologize for not being as accurate. :o
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Thank you guys so much for your help!!! Yes, we got the NOA already a few days after sending the I-130. But we were needlessly waiting for the approval, but now we are putting the whole I-485 together and if they don't approve I-130 by then, we will send the rest of the documents to Chicago. Thanks again for reading my post and answering my question.... I still may have some questions, though ;)

Take care and thanks a lot!
 
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