I've sent in my I-130 package to USCIS California as per the US embassy Tokyo's site instructions. Now what? I realize that this is new territory, but what can I expect next?

Here are some of my observations, please correct me if I'm wrong:

Prior to this change, I-130's that were filed at embassies/consulates (DCF) were not processed by the NVC. Only those that were filed by USCs living in the US were. Is my I-130 now going to go through the NVC? I certainly hope not, I've heard that they are slow. I'm hoping that USCIS will send the approved I-130 to my embassy so that the remainding process of DCF will stay the same.

And apparently the NVC charges $70 to process the I-864, whereas I didn't see that anywhere on my embassy's site under the old system. You just had to bring the I-864 with you to the interview.

After this change, the I-130 page at USCIS site was revised and had instructions for how to file for those USCs that lived abroad, i.e., Africa, Asia, Pacific area send to USCIS in California. Those instructions have been removed, and I read in another thread that this is because USCIS and DOS are still discussing these procedures. Could there be another change in procedures coming for USCs living abroad?

Jeez, I'm so confused now.

Well overall I think it would have been better to have waited an extera week because right now the embassies are discussing what to do if we will be allowed to file at embassies that have USCIS offices (for instance I think you would be able to file in Seoul). As everyone is waiting for a final decsion, I am not sure if that would mean you would have to go to Seoul to file it or if your paperwork would be forwarded from Tokyo to Seoul. We will just have to wait till a decision is made.

Anyhow if I were you I would do what I could to stop that paperwork from going through in order to see if you can still do DCF.

Personally Im pretty optimistic that Embassies with USCIS's will allow it but I cant know for sure.

Fofire

I agree that it would've been better to wait if you could, but now you'll just have to hang on for the ride. California and Vermont were directed to NOT return petitions like yours, but no one knows where they will go after adjudication. I suspect that they'll go to the NVC.

I do think that we can expect further changes for overseas filers.

Thanks for your reply. I'm starting to second-guess myself. I sent in my I-130 on Jan. 30, when the USCIS page had those instructions up for overseas filers. Like you said in another post, they later took those instructions down and now USCIS and DOS are deliberating (for lack of a better word: negotiating? debating? arguing? litigating?

But there's nothing I can do about it now except hope that it won't take a year.

One thing that makes me mad, though: the Tokyo embassy charges $15 for e-mail or phone inquiries.

If you want to email questions then why dont you just use the email at the Romanian Office. Not only will they work on it while you are sleeping but its also free.

visabucharest@state.gov

They only charge cash when you have to do non-immigrant visas otherwise immigrant visas are free. I reckon you could call if you wanted to but I dont think you wanna stay up the extra hours nor would you wanna pay for intl phone charges . .unless you use skype.

Fofire