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Family-based immigrant petitions must now be filed only with USCIS
Effective immediately, in accordance with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, overseas consular posts are no longer authorized to accept or adjudicate I-130 petitions.
The recently passed Adam Walsh Act has led to changes in the procedures American citizens resident abroad will follow if they wish to sponsor an immediate relative (spouse, parent or minor child) for an immigrant visa. According to this legislation, all family-based immigrant visa petitions (I-130s) must be screened to ensure the petitioner has not been convicted of specified criminal offences against a minor. By law, consular officers do not have access to this information. Thus, all I-130 petitions for family-based immigrant status must now be filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office responsible for the petitioner's place of residence (that is, the place of residence of the American citizen who is filing the petition). Responsibility for the acceptance and approval of immigrant visa petitions rests solely with USCIS. Although consular offices at U.S. embassies and consulates are no longer authorized to accept I-130s, they will continue to provide guidance to American citizen petitioners and their family members.
As noted, American citizens should submit their I-130 at the USCIS office responsible for their place of residence.
This procedural change may result in a processing delay for some applicants. The Department of State recognizes and sincerely regrets the inconvenience this may cause.
Effective immediately, in accordance with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, overseas consular posts are no longer authorized to accept or adjudicate I-130 petitions.
The recently passed Adam Walsh Act has led to changes in the procedures American citizens resident abroad will follow if they wish to sponsor an immediate relative (spouse, parent or minor child) for an immigrant visa. According to this legislation, all family-based immigrant visa petitions (I-130s) must be screened to ensure the petitioner has not been convicted of specified criminal offences against a minor. By law, consular officers do not have access to this information. Thus, all I-130 petitions for family-based immigrant status must now be filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office responsible for the petitioner's place of residence (that is, the place of residence of the American citizen who is filing the petition). Responsibility for the acceptance and approval of immigrant visa petitions rests solely with USCIS. Although consular offices at U.S. embassies and consulates are no longer authorized to accept I-130s, they will continue to provide guidance to American citizen petitioners and their family members.
As noted, American citizens should submit their I-130 at the USCIS office responsible for their place of residence.
This procedural change may result in a processing delay for some applicants. The Department of State recognizes and sincerely regrets the inconvenience this may cause.
reference: http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-iv-newi130.html
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Embassies stop handling immigration applications
By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, January 26, 2007
TOKYO — U.S. embassies and consulates no longer can process visa applications for foreign family members, such as spouses, parents, children and siblings, who want to immigrate to America, according to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
Instead, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services centers around the world will process the applications — officially called I-130 applications — to comply with a new law that prevents certain sexual offenders from sponsoring immigrants, according to the embassy and the Immigration Services Web site.
The I-130 application is one of the first steps toward immigrating a family member into America, according to the Immigration Services Web site.
The change means an extra layer of red tape in the application process, but will not require any additional travel or in-person appointments for the sponsors. ... [ read more here ]
By Teri Weaver, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, January 26, 2007
TOKYO — U.S. embassies and consulates no longer can process visa applications for foreign family members, such as spouses, parents, children and siblings, who want to immigrate to America, according to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
Instead, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services centers around the world will process the applications — officially called I-130 applications — to comply with a new law that prevents certain sexual offenders from sponsoring immigrants, according to the embassy and the Immigration Services Web site.
The I-130 application is one of the first steps toward immigrating a family member into America, according to the Immigration Services Web site.
The change means an extra layer of red tape in the application process, but will not require any additional travel or in-person appointments for the sponsors. ... [ read more here ]
If you are planning on filing an I-130 using DCF then you should contact your embassy in advance to see if they are following the above guidance as well.
