I-130 Home Address Incorrect and Applying From Outside the US

[ajmiyazaki 1]

Hi All,

New to the forum but it has been very helpful with preparing our I-130. I really appreciate the information available here! Currently, my wife (Japanese citizen) of 10 years and I are living in Japan. We have decided to return to the US and sent in the I-130 to the Chicago Lockbox (no office here in Japan) in April. It was received on May 18th and we were sent the I-797, but our address is incorrect. They've put the country as "Kenya" rather than "Japan".

When I attempted to call customer service, the tier one reps are unable to make changes to an address outside of the US and the wait times for tier two reps are too long, so the system attempts to do a "callback". Unfortunately, since I'm outside the US the system won't accept my phone number and won't allow me to wait on the phone! Frustrating!

The last rep I spoke with provided me with an email address to the Nebraska Service Center and just sent off an email with the request to update the address. Does anyone have any advice? I'm worried that having a 'Kenya' will affect our process somewhere down the line and want this fixed as soon as possible. Just for piece of mind, if nothing else.

Thanks in advance!

Edited June 14, 2016 by ajmiyazaki

[NikLR 13,234]

The hardcopy NOA2, which isnt needed, will be sent to the wrong address. Once you get that (sign up for email notifications on the USCIS website) call the NVC and make sure you get a case number for Japan.

[leisiko 2]

I had this same phone problem last night!

I ended up paying for a US phone number through Skype so that I could get a call back. (If your tech savvy magicjack and other apps can do this for free.)

They asked me to leave a US address on file, and said they wouldn't send paper notices outside the US. Clearly not the case though...?!

[ajmiyazaki 1]

Thanks NLR, we requested Tokyo Japan as the location for applying for the visa, so hopefully someone will notice this. I'm to hear that I will be able to call back the NVC and designate the location for the interview as well.

leisiko, this is not the case and I don't know why they don't offer better support for those of us currently living outside the US. And the reps there should know these options clearly! Did you speak to a 'tier 2' rep? I am considering the idea about Skype! I'm glad to hear that it works.

[NikLR 13,234]

I've yet to hear of the USCIS changing an address outside the USA, even if you speak to a tier 2.

[ajmiyazaki 1]

I've yet to hear of the USCIS changing an address outside the USA, even if you speak to a tier 2.

Thanks again for your comment, NLR! That's interesting to hear since we are allowed to petition while living outside the US, it seems like we should be able to do so.

The more I think about this, the more I want to call back and state that I'm not requesting a 'change of address', but a 'correction' to a mistake they made regarding my address (which is outside the US)... If the person inputting my information had read my application thoroughly, this wouldn't be an issue.

I have sent off an email to the address I was provided and I will follow up here when I hear back! Although, she stated that it could take up to 30 days to receive a response.