Immigrant Visa for a Spouse (IR1 or CR1)

[harristr75]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My fiance and I intend to marry in Australia soon. I am an Australian Citizen, my fiance is an American Citizen...After reading various web sites and posts I am a little confused and am hoping someone can help to confirm what I believe will be the case.

We intend to live in the US and I need to eventually obtain a green card.

After marriage, my Wife will return to the US and lodge form I-130...I believe that once that form has been approved by USCIS it will allow me to move to the US until a Visa Number is issued...Is this the case???

I believe I can work in the US after receiving the Visa Number and submitting the appropriate forms? Or can I sumbit the appropriate form before receiving the Visa Number???

Is there anything else I've missed???

I guess after getting the Visa Number, I then submit a change of status and jump into the bottomless pit with everyone else to get my green card???

Any information would be appretiated... Tim Harris

 

[Triple Citizen]

Tim,
You are very lucky. Three US consulates in Australia can approve I-130s on their own. Your wife does not have to go back to the US to file an I-130 for you. The local consulate will approve the I-130 and then you will jump straight to the "packet 3" stage and go on from there. The entire process may take 3-4 months.

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/Petition_Filing_Instructions.pdf

Good luck!!!