Should my wife apply for immigration here in Australia or back home in USA?

Question

I am a citizen of the U.S. and my wife is a citizen of Australia. We were married a little over a year ago here in Australia. My wife is going to immigrate to the U.S. with me. Should I have her apply for American immigration here or should I take her back home on a visitor's visa and apply while we are both back in the U.S.???

Answer 1

The problem with a visitor's visa is that if they don't finish processing the application by the time her visa expires, then she would have to leave or apply for an extension.

Here is a link about bringing your spouse to the US. http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1315.html

Answer 2

I would think that if you are planning to live in America, you should start the process as soon a possible. The visitors visa will expire at some point and she may have to go back.

I do not think there is a single right answer for everyone faced with this question.

Answer 3

Since you both live in Australia, the fastest and easiest way for your wife to immigrate to the US is to do Direct Consular Filing in Australia and wait for it to be processed there. It is the fastest of all immigrant visas (averaging from 2 weeks to 3 months to receive) and your wife would then enter the US as a Permanent Resident.

For more information on Direct Consular Filing:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=dcf