Effective January 22, 2007, Embassies and Consular Offices abroad were told they may not accept the direct filing of I-130 petitions. That rule created a great deal of controversy and problems. Accordingly, effective March 21, 2007, the State Department has reversed that rule and Posts can now accept I-130s from American citizen petitions who are residing abroad.

This will assist many American citizens in bringing their spouses and children to the United States more quickly and efficiently.

For more information about family-based immigration, please visit our website.