Sending I-130 from abroad questions (split topic)

[AmandaLane102 3]

Hi Guys,

This is really great news for me as I am a USC living abroad with no USCIS presence here. Do I-130s from abroad all get sent to the CHICAGO lockbox? Does anyone have the address, I just want to compare it with what I have. Also does it matter which courier service / mailing service you use?

[AmandaLane102 3]

One other question - is there ANYTHING from Stateside (forms, etc.) that needs to be received via postal mail, or do they communicate completely via e-mail? The postal system here is not reliable.

[AmandaLane102 3]

Hi everyone!

This topic is made to pinpoint the exact requirements that allow most USC petitioners filing from abroad to have their I-130 auto-expedited, while some others seem to go through regular processing queues.

Background: on August 15, 2011, the rules for DCF changed and this alternative option disappeared in all countries that don't have a local USCIS field office, in other words in most countries in the world. Since September 2011, VJ members filing an I-130 while residing abroad with their spouses have been, in most cases, adjudicated extremely fast by USCIS, indicating that the case was expedited, although they did not request it. For an example, see my timeline, and note that this "auto-expedited" processing is only valid at the USCIS stage.

The details of this special processing queue are unclear and USCIS operators are not aware of its existence. In addition, a few members in the same situation have had their cases pending for months, indicating they were not placed in the fast queue.

I have another important question now that I've found other USC living abroad but filing Stateside . . . I am concerned about the part where I have to show evidence of my domicile in the states - how exactly do you go about doing this? I have relatives (including my parents) in the States and in Florida where I plan on moving back, so is it acceptable to use their address? My plan is not to move back until my husband is approved. . . . Also at why point do you have to show your domicile? Not until after the I-130 is filed correct?

Edited September 11, 2014 by AmandaLane102

[mofatsd 127]

I'm guessing this isn't the right thread to be posting this on - but I know how quickly everyone who is going through this process wants to get answers so as one filing abroad like you:

- We used the priority shipping through our postal service (however ours is super reliable and super costly) but I would recommend using UPS or Fedex if you are shipping through a country that doesn't have reliable service

- You will be able to sign up for e-mail notifications (not SMS since your abroad) once your I-130 is received - You will, however have to wait until USCIS receives your package before you can sign up for the notifications through the website (but you could call to make sure or just use a service that has tracking information so you know they receive it and call for your USCIS number)

- You WILL need to show proof of domicile (keeping your residence- keeping a bank account, savings, voters registration card, anything that would tie you to the US and will need to write where you intend on living if you are approved.

I would suggest going to the wiki pages and check out the whole process before getting your paperwork ready to avoid any problems. To be honest the I-130 mailing it from overseas usually gets expedited quickly over to NVC but there is where you'll have to show your proof in detail once they receive it.

[AmandaLane102 3]

I'm guessing this isn't the right thread to be posting this on - but I know how quickly everyone who is going through this process wants to get answers so as one filing abroad like you:

- We used the priority shipping through our postal service (however ours is super reliable and super costly) but I would recommend using UPS or Fedex if you are shipping through a country that doesn't have reliable service

- You will be able to sign up for e-mail notifications (not SMS since your abroad) once your I-130 is received - You will, however have to wait until USCIS receives your package before you can sign up for the notifications through the website (but you could call to make sure or just use a service that has tracking information so you know they receive it and call for your USCIS number)

- You WILL need to show proof of domicile (keeping your residence- keeping a bank account, savings, voters registration card, anything that would tie you to the US and will need to write where you intend on living if you are approved.

I would suggest going to the wiki pages and check out the whole process before getting your paperwork ready to avoid any problems. To be honest the I-130 mailing it from overseas usually gets expedited quickly over to NVC but there is where you'll have to show your proof in detail once they receive it.

Thank you for the information and I have one other question for those of you who reside abroad at a location without a USCIS field presence. . . Question #22 of the I-130 asks where your spouse will apply for a visa abroad at the American consular post in ______ . . . Do I leave this blank or should I put the embassy in our country or the embassy in the nearest country with USCIS??

Also - where were your interviews conducted if there is no USCIS presence at the embassy in your countries??? I was told my husband would have to go to Johannesburg, SA for his (next door neighbor) but not sure if this is right, and if so, should I put that for question number 22??

[mofatsd 127]

Thank you for the information and I have one other question for those of you who reside abroad at a location without a USCIS field presence. . . Question #22 of the I-130 asks where your spouse will apply for a visa abroad at the American consular post in ______ . . . Do I leave this blank or should I put the embassy in our country or the embassy in the nearest country with USCIS??

Also - where were your interviews conducted if there is no USCIS presence at the embassy in your countries??? I was told my husband would have to go to Johannesburg, SA for his (next door neighbor) but not sure if this is right, and if so, should I put that for question number 22??

Hopefully you have your answers from your other thread

[Ryan H 3,812]

Posts split from USC petitioner living abroad survey thread into separate thread as previous thread is not intended for general Q and A.

[AmandaLane102 3]

Another question as I am compiling the I-130. . . Will NVC be sending forms via e-mail? I highly doubt I will be able to receive any snail mail on this side due to the dismal postal system. . . I read somewhere else that there was a way to contact the NVC to ask them to send me everything electronically, but can't find the post anymore. Would it be acceptable to write on my cover letter that I prefer correspondence via e-mail and can I give them my parent's address in the States should they need to mail anything??????

[mofatsd 127]

So I-130 gets sent to the USCIS which is different than the NVC. You will be able to correspond with USCIS and NVC via e-mail but the best option is the phone numbers and calling them - you will need the receipt number (for USCIS) and when you get to NVC you will need the IIN and the Case number which gets assigned to you and you can get both of them by calling (and of course once they have you in the system).

Additionally you will be able to check your case status online with USCIS by entering the receipt number you will get from them. Same with the NVC once you get there.

Hope that helps!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Another question as I am compiling the I-130. . . Will NVC be sending forms via e-mail? I highly doubt I will be able to receive any snail mail on this side due to the dismal postal system. . . I read somewhere else that there was a way to contact the NVC to ask them to send me everything electronically, but can't find the post anymore. Would it be acceptable to write on my cover letter that I prefer correspondence via e-mail and can I give them my parent's address in the States should they need to mail anything??????

You can print the forms from the website, they will not email them. Once you have your case number, call them to ensure they have your email address on record for any correspondence.

While some of the forms will be submitted online, other forms and all accompanying documentation will have to be mailed to the NVC.

[AmandaLane102 3]

You can print the forms from the website, they will not email them. Once you have your case number, call them to ensure they have your email address on record for any correspondence.

While some of the forms will be submitted online, other forms and all accompanying documentation will have to be mailed to the NVC.

I am not concerned about

I am not concerned about mailing forms TO the United States, its about receiving them here which won't happen. I have heard people say "received _______ package in the mail today" etc. so that is what I am worried about - the packages people are receiving through mail for the process, are these same packages also e-mailed? Am only worried about what they must send me to complete, not vice versa I have no problem mailing to them. Can I receive everything I need for the process via email or online?

[mofatsd 127]

I am not concerned about mailing forms TO the United States, its about receiving them here which won't happen. I have heard people say "received _______ package in the mail today" etc. so that is what I am worried about - the packages people are receiving through mail for the process, are these same packages also e-mailed? Am only worried about what they must send me to complete, not vice versa I have no problem mailing to them. Can I receive everything I need for the process via email or online?

All 'packages' are sent by you to them - the only thing that comes to you in the mail are just snail mail are just confirmations that they have received your packages, issued case numbers, and the dreaded checklist (lets hope not) BUT you can confirm all of that through e-mail & telephone support so it's not important per se -- Just for your records.

[Ryan H 3,812]

All 'packages' are sent by you to them - the only thing that comes to you in the mail are just snail mail are just confirmations that they have received your packages, issued case numbers, and the dreaded checklist (lets hope not) BUT you can confirm all of that through e-mail & telephone support so it's not important per se -- Just for your records.

The NVC doesn't send confirmations that they received packages and if they have a valid email address on record, they will send the checklist visa email (if one is issued).

[NikLR 13,227]

I think you should concentrate on the I-130 right now and then after that is sent and you get your NOA1, you can sign up for case status updates on the USCIS website. Make sure to include the G-1145 with an email address so they will hopefully email you the NOA1. Keep track on when they cash the check (needs to be drawn from US funds... should be a US bank.)

After you get the NOA1 then start compiling everything you need for the NVC. Honestly, if you make it baby steps, it's easier to both understand and correctly do.