Can I really file the I-130 online while living in Japan?

[mipo 0]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm new here so I'm very sorry if this is a dumb or repeated question, but I'm so confused because of conflicting things I've read. USCIS website has a blanket statement saying we can file online if we are living abroad, however the Tokyo Embassy website says we MUST mail a paper application of all documents because they don't have USCIS representation in their embassy.

 

I called the Tokyo Embassy directly and the visa representative told me the same, I can only submit it through mail, but when I told them the USCIS website says otherwise, they backtracked and basically told me they don't know for sure.

 

Other support websites have said online filing is perfectly fine from Japan...

 

I'd love to hear directly from anyone who has had success submitting everything successfully online, from Japan, to make sure I'm not gonna lose $535 when I submit this 😕

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

You can file the I-130 online from anywhere.  It will go through stateside processing exactly like every I-130 filed from inside the US.

Edited July 4, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[mipo 0]

12 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

You can file the I-130 online from anywhere.  It will go through stateside processing exactly like every I-130 filed from inside the US.

Thank you. I think online submission is the way to go. This is my only worry:

 

"If the petitioner resides in a country such as Japan where USCIS does not have a public counter presence, the Form I-130  must be filed with the USCIS Dallas Lockbox Facility. Please visit USCIS  website for detail."

https://jp.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/family-immigration/apply-step1/

 

I've been told this is outdated information, but when this is the official statement from the local embassy, it's hard to gamble $535 on it so I wanna be 1000% sure

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

7 minutes ago, mipo said:

Thank you. I think online submission is the way to go. This is my only worry:

 

"If the petitioner resides in a country such as Japan where USCIS does not have a public counter presence, the Form I-130  must be filed with the USCIS Dallas Lockbox Facility. Please visit USCIS  website for detail."

https://jp.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/family-immigration/apply-step1/

 

I've been told this is outdated information, but when this is the official statement from the local embassy, it's hard to gamble $535 on it so I wanna be 1000% sure

Those instruction seem to be for Direct Consular Filing (DCF).  Besides, foreign USCIS offices have been closed for a while now.

Edited July 4, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

What do you think, @payxibka ?

[mipo 0]

21 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Those instruction seem to be for Direct Consular Filing (DCF).  Besides, foreign USCIS offices have been closed for a while now.

Ah, that makes sense then! Much appreciated.

[payxibka 10,045]

58 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

What do you think, @payxibka ?

I would never consider consulate instructions as gospel when referring to a USCIS process.

[mipo 0]

1 hour ago, payxibka said:

I would never consider consulate instructions as gospel when referring to a USCIS process.

Are they generally considered unreliable?

[payxibka 10,045]

3 hours ago, mipo said:

Are they generally considered unreliable?

Often out of date

[PGA 247]

Yup...I did it from Peru...