Filing abroad: problem w/mailing address/NOA1 never received

[wtfika 1]

I made sure to file a G-1145 when I filed our I-130 and so I received email notification on April 12th that my application had been received and forwarded on to the Nebraska Service Center. The 30-day deadline for my NOA1 was May 8th, which came and went. After that point I tried several times to call USCIS and find out why I hadn't received the NOA1 by mail. Every time my call was escalated I was told to either call back later, or asked to put in a number to be called back at. I am in Sweden so a call back was not possible. I set up a Google Voice number in San Diego (where I am from) to receive a call back. I finally got to talk to a Tier 2 USCIS officer today and found out the following information.

1.) They do not mail NOA1s abroad, NOA1s/NOA2s/etc are only sent 'abroad' if you go through consular processing.

2.) The system auto-generated a city/state to mail my NOA1 to, based on the zip code on my form, which is a 5-digit zipcode here in Sweden. That same sequence of five numbers is a zip code in Ohio. This explains why I never received our NOA1.

3.) The officer couldn't actually change my address in the system because every time he put in my zip code, it would change the city/state to a city in Ohio.

He suggested I file an AR-11, but that too assumes you live in the United States and it's meant to be filled out by the applicant. I have a PO Box address I can use, but it is my name on there, not my husband's. I tried to use the online form but that also assumes you are changing from one US address to another. Any other USCs abroad changed your address while you were filing? I'm not sure how I can even do this.

I am beyond frustrated because it's sort of like, well, you took away DCF for American citizens abroad, forcing us to apply through the USCIS like everyone else. If you are going to do that, why not make changes in your software and forms to allow us to put our addresses properly and change them if we need to? I don't understand the logic here.

Edited May 26, 2016 by wtfika

[Japanland 0]

This is quite interesting. I am filing from abroad soon but haven't yet. A few questions:

When they mailed it to the city/state based off of your Swedish zip code, what did they put for the address of the building?

Did they used the address you provided in your I-130? If so, where it says "(State/Country)" under "B. Information about you / 2. Address", what did you write?

Edit: Also what address did you provide in section F of the form below your printed name?

Edited May 27, 2016 by Japanland

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to USCIS Service Centers forum; topic is about USCIS operations.

[wtfika 1]

This is quite interesting. I am filing from abroad soon but haven't yet. A few questions:

When they mailed it to the city/state based off of your Swedish zip code, what did they put for the address of the building?

Did they used the address you provided in your I-130? If so, where it says "(State/Country)" under "B. Information about you / 2. Address", what did you write?

Edit: Also what address did you provide in section F of the form below your printed name?

1.) I assume that for the address of the building, they used the address I put on our I-130. In Sweden, we address things in the reverse US order; so rather than 1234 Street Name, we address it Street Name 1234.

2.) They used the address we provided in sections B & C; we live together in Sweden so the address is the same. Where it says State/Country, we put Sweden.

3.) Section F is to be filled out ONLY if the form is being prepared by someone OTHER than the petitioner. Since I am the petitioner, it was not necessary to fill out.

The USCIS officer I spoke with explained that this is an inherent problem of the system; it is designed/built for applicants that are already in the United States. Their computer system doesn't have a "Country" field since it assumes the petitioner is in the United States. Every time he tried to type in my address, he put our city, and typed in Sweden for the state field on his computer, but when he went to type the zip code, the computer system auto-corrected the city and state to correspond with the US equivalent for our 5-digit zipcode in Sweden. I am not sure if I believe him because I have read on these boards that people received their NOAs at their addresses abroad.

I am actually really angry that this is a problem now, because the easiest thing to do for people in my situation is to file through the embassy and we cannot do that anymore. I went through the system their way and now I cannot receive paper notices by mail. I don't know what people in our situation are supposed to do.

[SabrinaJerome 52]

I made sure to file a G-1145 when I filed our I-130 and so I received email notification on April 12th that my application had been received and forwarded on to the Nebraska Service Center. The 30-day deadline for my NOA1 was May 8th, which came and went. After that point I tried several times to call USCIS and find out why I hadn't received the NOA1 by mail. Every time my call was escalated I was told to either call back later, or asked to put in a number to be called back at. I am in Sweden so a call back was not possible. I set up a Google Voice number in San Diego (where I am from) to receive a call back. I finally got to talk to a Tier 2 USCIS officer today and found out the following information.

1.) They do not mail NOA1s abroad, NOA1s/NOA2s/etc are only sent 'abroad' if you go through consular processing.

2.) The system auto-generated a city/state to mail my NOA1 to, based on the zip code on my form, which is a 5-digit zipcode here in Sweden. That same sequence of five numbers is a zip code in Ohio. This explains why I never received our NOA1.

3.) The officer couldn't actually change my address in the system because every time he put in my zip code, it would change the city/state to a city in Ohio.

He suggested I file an AR-11, but that too assumes you live in the United States and it's meant to be filled out by the applicant. I have a PO Box address I can use, but it is my name on there, not my husband's. I tried to use the online form but that also assumes you are changing from one US address to another. Any other USCs abroad changed your address while you were filing? I'm not sure how I can even do this.

I am beyond frustrated because it's sort of like, well, you took away DCF for American citizens abroad, forcing us to apply through the USCIS like everyone else. If you are going to do that, why not make changes in your software and forms to allow us to put our addresses properly and change them if we need to? I don't understand the logic here.

Hi, I just found this topic because I was searching for an answer about the possible consequences for not receiving a hard copy of the NOA1. (just got an email stating it was sent back because it was undeliverable, here in Spain)

Thanks so much for your energy in following up and calling, wtfika!!

So am I to understand the following? - -

1 - this particular agent said that NOA1s do not get delivered abroad (!??!?!?) because... computer forms.

2 - the NOA1 is only a receipt and will not help me in any way, more than the email notification I received re the NOA1

3 - possible problems regarding this - - future, possibly more important snail mail may also not be delivered

I followed the USCIS's email advice and tried to reconfirm my address, but you know what?? The computer form they're using doesn't allow for foreign addresses!!! No place to indicate another country, and it insists that you indicate a state.

[wtfika 1]

Hi, I just found this topic because I was searching for an answer about the possible consequences for not receiving a hard copy of the NOA1. (just got an email stating it was sent back because it was undeliverable, here in Spain)

Thanks so much for your energy in following up and calling, wtfika!!

So am I to understand the following? - -

1 - this particular agent said that NOA1s do not get delivered abroad (!??!?!?) because... computer forms.

2 - the NOA1 is only a receipt and will not help me in any way, more than the email notification I received re the NOA1

3 - possible problems regarding this - - future, possibly more important snail mail may also not be delivered

I followed the USCIS's email advice and tried to reconfirm my address, but you know what?? The computer form they're using doesn't allow for foreign addresses!!! No place to indicate another country, and it insists that you indicate a state.

Hi, I managed to resolve this issue (I think, fingers crossed!) so I'll answer your questions and let you know what I did.

1.) Yes, all mail correspondence (including NOA1, NOA2, etc) does not get delivered abroad because... reasons. The vast majority of applicants are based in the US and they see no reason to change it. (The agent I spoke with regarding this was super apologetic.)

2.) Correct!

3.) Also, correct.

The helpful agent I spoke with the first time told me that if after filing the AR-11 (which by the way is meant to be filled out by the beneficiary not the petitioner and it also does not include a field for 'country') or completing the process online (which you and I have both tried to do and failed because it forces you to enter a state), the address change did not take (he said to give it a month to receive paper confirmation at the new address), to call USCIS and that the agent on the phone (Tier 2) could do it over the phone and when they ask for your old address, use the old street address but use the call center's ZIP code. He said some agents may refuse to do it, but that they absolutely can and often do as a last resort. He said to make sure they include notes in the call log about why the street address is foreign but city, state and ZIP are in the US.

Knowing all this, here is what I did:

1.) Set up a Google Voice number using my mom's cell phone number and Google account. (I chose to use her account because mine has a 2-step security method that is a pain in the ###.) I did this with my mom while video chatting on Google Hangouts. I chose a number in California because that is where I'm from and where my mom is based, but you can choose any state you want.

2.) Added $10 credit to the Google Voice account.

3.) Installed the Google Hangouts Dialer on my phone and signed into my mom's Google account.

4.) Used the Hangouts Dialer app to call USCIS as soon as they opened in PST. The USCIS phone line can tell where you are calling from and treat your call accordingly; whenever I tried to call before 8am PST, it would tell me to call back during 'normal business hours', FYI.

5.) I told the tier 1 agent on the phone that I needed to change my address and requested to have my call escalated.

6.) After they escalated my call, there was an automated message telling me that they had a high volume of calls and that I could call back later OR schedule a call back. I scheduled a call back to the Google Voice number, but just FYI, unless you call within an hour or so of them opening for your 'time zone', you will get an automated message telling you to call back later and there will be no option for them to call you back. (I learned this the hard way... twice.)

7.) When they did call me back, I explained to the agent exactly what my problem was and told her that I wasn't sure what to do because it's vital that I receive my paper correspondence from USCIS. Immediately, she changed my address in the system using the method I mentioned above (using the call center's ZIP code), and I received an email confirmation regarding this about a week later. The email notification I received said it takes an additional 7-10 business days to receive paper confirmation at the new address, which puts the deadline for that at June 15th, so I'll be happy to update this thread then.

You don't need to use Google Voice to do this, I chose it because the phone app makes it incredibly easy and affordable. You can't sign up for it from your computer unless you are using a VPN, because Google's web services will detect your location and not offer you the option to create a Google Voice number, which is why I had my mom do it on her computer while we were video chatting. Skype also has VOIP thing where you can get an American number, but their service was a little more expensive. Also, something hilarious: even though I was required by the Google Hangouts Dialer app to put a minimum credit on the account ($10), because USCIS is a toll-free number, it doesn't actually use any of the credit. It's $10 that gets stuck in limbo basically; however Google does offer a refund of account credit if you haven't used it. I haven't put in for a refund since we are not done with this process. It's also important to make sure that if you are using an app on your phone to receive the call, that you have all the options set up properly; for Google Voice I had to turn off the 'call screening' option (via the website), turn off call forwarding to my mom's cell phone and make sure that the app was set to receive calls.

I hope that was helpful; if something isn't clear let me know and I'll be happy to clarify

[SabrinaJerome 52]

Hi, I managed to resolve this issue (I think, fingers crossed!) so I'll answer your questions and let you know what I did.

1.) Yes, all mail correspondence (including NOA1, NOA2, etc) does not get delivered abroad because... reasons. The vast majority of applicants are based in the US and they see no reason to change it. (The agent I spoke with regarding this was super apologetic.)

2.) Correct!

3.) Also, correct.

The helpful agent I spoke with the first time told me that if after filing the AR-11 (which by the way is meant to be filled out by the beneficiary not the petitioner and it also does not include a field for 'country') or completing the process online (which you and I have both tried to do and failed because it forces you to enter a state), the address change did not take (he said to give it a month to receive paper confirmation at the new address), to call USCIS and that the agent on the phone (Tier 2) could do it over the phone and when they ask for your old address, use the old street address but use the call center's ZIP code. He said some agents may refuse to do it, but that they absolutely can and often do as a last resort. He said to make sure they include notes in the call log about why the street address is foreign but city, state and ZIP are in the US.

Knowing all this, here is what I did:

1.) Set up a Google Voice number using my mom's cell phone number and Google account. (I chose to use her account because mine has a 2-step security method that is a pain in the ###.) I did this with my mom while video chatting on Google Hangouts. I chose a number in California because that is where I'm from and where my mom is based, but you can choose any state you want.

2.) Added $10 credit to the Google Voice account.

3.) Installed the Google Hangouts Dialer on my phone and signed into my mom's Google account.

4.) Used the Hangouts Dialer app to call USCIS as soon as they opened in PST. The USCIS phone line can tell where you are calling from and treat your call accordingly; whenever I tried to call before 8am PST, it would tell me to call back during 'normal business hours', FYI.

5.) I told the tier 1 agent on the phone that I needed to change my address and requested to have my call escalated.

6.) After they escalated my call, there was an automated message telling me that they had a high volume of calls and that I could call back later OR schedule a call back. I scheduled a call back to the Google Voice number, but just FYI, unless you call within an hour or so of them opening for your 'time zone', you will get an automated message telling you to call back later and there will be no option for them to call you back. (I learned this the hard way... twice.)

7.) When they did call me back, I explained to the agent exactly what my problem was and told her that I wasn't sure what to do because it's vital that I receive my paper correspondence from USCIS. Immediately, she changed my address in the system using the method I mentioned above (using the call center's ZIP code), and I received an email confirmation regarding this about a week later. The email notification I received said it takes an additional 7-10 business days to receive paper confirmation at the new address, which puts the deadline for that at June 15th, so I'll be happy to update this thread then.

You don't need to use Google Voice to do this, I chose it because the phone app makes it incredibly easy and affordable. You can't sign up for it from your computer unless you are using a VPN, because Google's web services will detect your location and not offer you the option to create a Google Voice number, which is why I had my mom do it on her computer while we were video chatting. Skype also has VOIP thing where you can get an American number, but their service was a little more expensive. Also, something hilarious: even though I was required by the Google Hangouts Dialer app to put a minimum credit on the account ($10), because USCIS is a toll-free number, it doesn't actually use any of the credit. It's $10 that gets stuck in limbo basically; however Google does offer a refund of account credit if you haven't used it. I haven't put in for a refund since we are not done with this process. It's also important to make sure that if you are using an app on your phone to receive the call, that you have all the options set up properly; for Google Voice I had to turn off the 'call screening' option (via the website), turn off call forwarding to my mom's cell phone and make sure that the app was set to receive calls.

I hope that was helpful; if something isn't clear let me know and I'll be happy to clarify

Hi wtfika,

Thank you so so so much for that info. I have been dealing with so much, and travel to the US, and moving etc that I never responded to this great post.

How is your case moving along these days?

Our updates... really nothing. We are in NebraskaSC. Nothing yet, which seems normal for their center.

I chose to assume that what was being sent to me in June was just the notice of receipt of our application (or whatever you call it) so I haven't done anything.

Our next step is that I will be trying to find a job in August and if I do (and I most likely will), I will be moving to the US. So. I am considering changing my address to my US address. Orrr, my parents' address, which is about a 6 hour drive from where I live. Would either of those make sense? Any correspondences would be mailed to me (or my family), the petitioner, not my husband in Spain.

Any thoughts on this? What are some things that could be mailed to us? RFEs? or...?

I am considering calling the 1-800-375-5283 number just to check on my case, even though I haven't gotten any emails and the website still has the same "could not deliver notice" message. A waste of time?

Thanks!

Edited July 20, 2016 by SabrinaJerome

[SabrinaJerome 52]

And one other thing I have wondered since we first wrote about this... how does ANYONE living abroad receive their documents???

Are there only a few agents who can't figure out how to get documents to be delivered abroad?

[wtfika 1]

Hi wtfika,

Thank you so so so much for that info. I have been dealing with so much, and travel to the US, and moving etc that I never responded to this great post.

How is your case moving along these days?

Our updates... really nothing. We are in Nebraska SC. No updates yet, which seems normal for their center.

I chose to assume that what was being sent to me was just the notice of receipt of our application (or whatever you call it) so I haven't done anything.

Our next step is that I will be trying to find a job in August and if I do, I will be moving to the US. So. I am considering changing my address to my US address. Would that make sense? Any correspondences would be mailed to me, the petitioner, not my husband in Spain.

Any thoughts on this?

I am considering calling the 1-800-375-5283 number just to check on my case, even though I haven't gotten any emails and the website still has the same "could not deliver notice" message. A waste of time?

Thanks!

Nothing has happened on our case. The deadline to receive a duplicate NOA1 at my new address has come and gone and nothing has come to my po box in the US. At this point I'm done getting angry about it. It's obvious you have to stay on top of these people because I feel like a lot of them do not have the right answers and this is why so many of us feel like we get the runaround when we file from abroad.

I feel like if you are abroad and you haven't received your NOA1, you should just change it to your address in the US if you have one. You aren't going to get any mail at your address abroad so you might as well, it's just a hassle to have to call them and double check.

I don't know how people filing abroad get mail at their addresses abroad. Unless you file through the consulate, I don't see how it's possible.

I actually called today to find out what address they have on file, to see why I haven't received a duplicate NOA1 at my PO box, or any correspondence actually, but they were so overloaded with cases they couldn't even have an officer call me back. They put in a request for a case officer to look at the file and call me back in 3-5 business days. It's shitty but there's little recourse.

Edited July 20, 2016 by wtfika

[SabrinaJerome 52]

Wow.

Stinks.

I also just called, and marked #3 to get the change of address agents. She said she couldn't see the specifics of my case but agrees that it was probably just the NOA1 notice.

She said I wouldn't be able to change my address online because it's going to ask for my previous address (and entering foreign addresses are not posssssibblllleeee hahaah and I asked her WTH, she said, "I apologize"...)

and that I would have to call again when I could actually reach an agent that could do that (she couldn't and said that because of high call volume she was blocked from transferring calls)...

So... I guess I'll have to do that maybe next week, early in the morning so I can get an appropriate agent.

[Ahmed & Amy 291]

Nothing has happened on our case. The deadline to receive a duplicate NOA1 at my new address has come and gone and nothing has come to my po box in the US. At this point I'm done getting angry about it. It's obvious you have to stay on top of these people because I feel like a lot of them do not have the right answers and this is why so many of us feel like we get the runaround when we file from abroad.

I feel like if you are abroad and you haven't received your NOA1, you should just change it to your address in the US if you have one. You aren't going to get any mail at your address abroad so you might as well, it's just a hassle to have to call them and double check.

I don't know how people filing abroad get mail at their addresses abroad. Unless you file through the consulate, I don't see how it's possible.

I actually called today to find out what address they have on file, to see why I haven't received a duplicate NOA1 at my PO box, or any correspondence actually, but they were so overloaded with cases they couldn't even have an officer call me back. They put in a request for a case officer to look at the file and call me back in 3-5 business days. It's shitty but there's little recourse.

I received a hard copy of my NOA1 at my Egyptian mailing address a little over a month after I received my email notification that they received my petition. I was worried originally that I wouldn't receive any mail here but thankfully it came and I'm hoping that we'll get an approval soon. We didn't go through a consulate either, but I had mailed in the petition when I went back to the US to visit family and re establish my domicile. I used my Egyptian address because that's where I am currently living instead of my US address.

Have you received your NOA1 yet at your US address? Hope that you receive it soon and I wish you tons of luck on your case. Hopefully you will not run into any of these problems once you get to the NVC stage.

[Ahmed & Amy 291]

And one other thing I have wondered since we first wrote about this... how does ANYONE living abroad receive their documents???

Are there only a few agents who can't figure out how to get documents to be delivered abroad?

Receiving mail in Egypt absolutely blows, but after finding out who our mailman was for our neighborhood and speaking with him directly and letting him know to expect mail for us, we actually received mail.

I had never heard anything about not receiving the NOA1 due to it being a non US address, so I am wondering if this is a case specific issue or regional issue? To be honest I was worried more about not receiving mail because of the mailing system here in Egypt.

We did receive our NOA1 a little more than a month after receiving the email notification that they received the petition. I wouldn't recommend automatically changing to your US address unless you are absolutely sure that you are not receiving mail from them. I think while living abroad we should always expect that mail will take a heck of a lot longer to receive than Stateside.