Embassy of the United States Helsinki, Finland

If a U.S. citizen marries an alien abroad, an I-130 petition must be filed after the marriage to begin the immigration process for the alien spouse (husband or wife). This can be filed either with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - USCIS (formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service – INS or DHS/BCIS) in the United States, or, under certain circumstances, at U.S. Embassies or Consulates abroad. U.S. Embassies and Consulates have differing policies on approving I-130s and should be individually contacted about the availability of this service.

I-130 petitions filed in the U.S. with USCIS

Forms and instructions are available from USCIS in the U.S. Once USCIS approves the petition, they will send the petitioner a notice of approval, Form I-797. USCIS will also forward the approved petition to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will contact the intending immigrant with further information.

The total processing time for the alien spouse visa can take up to 36 months if the petition is filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the U.S. and subsequently forwarded via the National Visa Center to an Embassy overseas.

I-130 petitions filed at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki

Effective August 15, 2011, petitioners residing overseas will no longer be able to routinely file Forms I-130,Petitions for Alien Relative, with U.S. Embassies andConsulates except in locations where U.S. Citizenshipand Immigration Services (USCIS) has a public counterpresence within the Embassy or Consulate.  Petitionersresiding overseas in countries where USCIS does not havea public counter presence will be required, startingAugust 15, 2011, to file their Forms I-130 by mail withthe USCIS Chicago lockbox.  U.S. Embassies andConsulates that do not have a USCIS presence will only be able to accept and process Forms I-130 in exceptional circumstances, as outlined below.

Forms I-130 that were properly filed at an Embassy or Consulate overseas where USCIS does not have a presence before August 15, 2011, will not be affected by this change.

Filing Instructions beginning August 15, 2011:

Beginning August 15, 2011, petitioners residing overseas who wish to file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, may do so as follows:

• If the petitioner resides in a country in which USCIS has a public counter presence, the Form I-130 may be filed directly with the USCIS field office (see instructions below) or through the USCIS Chicago Lockbox at one of the below addresses.
• If the petitioner resides in a country where USCIS does not have a public counter presence, the Form I-130 must be filed with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox at one of the addresses below, unless the petitioner requests and is granted an exception based on one of the criteria described below:

USCIS Chicago Lockbox addresses for regular mail deliveries:

USCIS
P.O. Box 804625
Chicago, IL 60680-4107

USCIS Chicago Lockbox address for express mail and courier deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-130
131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

For additional information about how to file a Form I-130 with the USCIS Chicago lockbox, please see the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov or contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283.

Filing at USCIS Overseas field offices:

From August 15, 2011, petitioners residing in a country where USCIS has a field office, with a public counter, may choose to file the Form I-130 either through the Chicago lockbox or at the USCIS field office. Petitioners should contact the USCIS field office with any questions regarding the filing of petitions.  For more information on where USCIS has overseas field offices and contact information, please Visit: http://www.uscis.gov/international.

Exceptional Filing at U.S. Embassies or Consulates without a USCIS Field Office:

Beginning August 15, 2011, petitioners, who do not reside in a country with a USCIS field office, but who believe that their situation merits an exception, may request an exception to allow the Consular Section at
the Embassy or Consulate to accept the filing. Each request for an exception will be evaluated individually.

A petitioner seeking to file a Form I-130 at an Embassy or Consulate where USCIS does not have a presence should contact the Consular Section to request consideration of the request for exception and explain the circumstances in detail.  The Consular Section will then relay the request for an exception to the USCIS field office with jurisdiction over the Embassy or Consulate.  The determination of whether the case presents exceptional circumstances that warrant an exception to the general filing process will be made by USCIS.  USCIS will be publishing guidance on the circumstances that may qualify as exceptional on their website at: http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-
1/0-0-0-3481/0-0-0-6254.html

Please contact the Consular Section at HelsinkiIV@state.gov for further information.

All lawful permanent residents, and American Citizens resident in the United States or with a permanent address in the United States, will file  I-130 petitions at the USCIS Service Center having jurisdiction over their place of residence (as indicated on the USCIS website: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130.pdf) (PDF 50KB).

Adjustment of Status in the U.S

If the alien is already in the United States and wishes to adjust to permanent resident status in the U.S., please contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).