<p>The USCIS announced that US citizens who live abroad may file for permanent residence for immediate relatives at the nearest USCIS office abroad. Generally the US citizen must live more than 6 months abroad to be allowed to file the application. Under emergency situations or where it is in the national interest, US citizens who reside in the US may file I-130 petitions abroad. US Citizens who reside in the US must file their petitions at the appropriate USCIS office in the US.</p>