The Department of State (DOS) provided guidance on local filing of I-130 petitions by U.S. citizens affected by the disruptive events in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Ukraine. U.S. citizens physically present abroad with their immediate family members can request to file Form I-130 petition locally at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate that processes immigrant visas. To qualify as an “immediate relative”, one must be the spouse, unmarried child under the age of 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen. Additionally, the family member must have fled Afghanistan after August 2, 2021; Ethiopia after November 1, 2020; or Ukraine after February 1, 2022.
A list of U.S. embassies and consulates can be found at https://www.usembassy.gov/. U.S. citizens who believe they may qualify are urged to email the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate’s Immigrant Visa Unit for further information.