I-130 Online vs. Paper Filing from Overseas

[Asui 1]

Hello all,

 

I've searched and searched for a definitive answer and I'm coming up with conflicting answers. Hopefully, someone who has done this process can clarify for me.

 

We are beginning our I-130 application and filing from abroad; both of us live in Taiwan and will submit it from here.

 

I created a USCIS account and began the application, but I've read conflicting information to not use the online form if you are filing from abroad. 

So:

1) Should I use the online application, print the PDFs and then somehow upload them, or just do the paper version?

2) Do I upload the I-130A as a PDF in the evidence portion at the end of my I-130? Or is there some other way it should be done?

Apologies if this is the topic of discussion somewhere, but I just wasn't finding my exact answer anywhere online.

Thank you.
 

[S2N 106]

Your choice. The I-130 is glitchy on online, but it’s cheaper and you have less room for human data entry/scan errors.

 

USCIS doesn’t process paper I-130s on paper anymore based on online comments from ISOs. It’s all scanned or typed in once you mail it.

[PGA 303]

10 hours ago, Asui said:

Hello all,

 

I've searched and searched for a definitive answer and I'm coming up with conflicting answers. Hopefully, someone who has done this process can clarify for me.

 

We are beginning our I-130 application and filing from abroad; both of us live in Taiwan and will submit it from here.

 

I created a USCIS account and began the application, but I've read conflicting information to not use the online form if you are filing from abroad. 

So:

1) Should I use the online application, print the PDFs and then somehow upload them, or just do the paper version?

2) Do I upload the I-130A as a PDF in the evidence portion at the end of my I-130? Or is there some other way it should be done?

Apologies if this is the topic of discussion somewhere, but I just wasn't finding my exact answer anywhere online.

Thank you.
 

I did mine online in 2020 from Peru without any issues. As for the I-130A, I remember it was signed, scanned and uploaded somewhere in the evidence section, and yes as a pdf.

[Asui 1]

8 hours ago, S2N said:

Your choice. The I-130 is glitchy on online, but it’s cheaper and you have less room for human data entry/scan errors.

 

USCIS doesn’t process paper I-130s on paper anymore based on online comments from ISOs. It’s all scanned or typed in once you mail it.

 

Thanks for your reply. Definitely does seem like the online one, glitches aside, may be the way to go since it's all digitized anyway. 

 

 

1 minute ago, PGA said:

I did mine online in 2020 from Peru without any issues. As for the I-130A, I remember it was signed, scanned and uploaded somewhere in the evidence section, and yes as a pdf.

Sounds good to me! I was a little worried about address formatting, but I read somewhere you can send an explanation in your cover letter if something doesn't exactly fit. Appreciate your response!
 

[Crazy Cat 43,580]

5 minutes ago, Asui said:

 

Thanks for your reply. Definitely does seem like the online one, glitches aside, may be the way to go since it's all digitized anyway. 

 

 

Sounds good to me! I was a little worried about address formatting, but I read somewhere you can send an explanation in your cover letter if something doesn't exactly fit. Appreciate your response!
 

Do you qualify for DCF?   Exceptional circumstances such as a job re-location?  Do not submit an I-130 to USCIS until you rule out Direct Consular Filing.

[Asui 1]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Do you qualify for DCF?   Exceptional circumstances such as a job re-location?  Do not submit an I-130 to USCIS until you rule out Direct Consular Filing.

 

Unfortunately, no. I don't meet any of the 'exceptional circumstances' required for DCF, including job re-location at short notice. 

We also don't have an International Immigration Office, so no going around that issue.

Thanks for the thought, though!

[Crazy Cat 43,580]

29 minutes ago, Asui said:

We also don't have an International Immigration Office,

I think AIT is authorized to accept I-130s for exceptional circumstances.    Hopefully NVC will schedule your case for the interview quickly at that time.  In our case, in 2017, took only 5 days after we were document qualified at NVC  to schedule the interview.  Historically, Taiwan is pretty quick.  Good luck on your journey.

Edited Wednesday at 01:50 PM by Crazy Cat

[Asui 1]

14 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I think AIT is authorized to accept I-130s for exceptional circumstances.    Hopefully NVC will schedule your case for the interview quickly at that time.  In our case, in 2017, took only 5 days after we were document qualified at NVC  to schedule the interview.  Historically, Taiwan is pretty quick.  Good luck on your journey.

 

That's good to hear, at least that they are generally quick with the interview. I looked it up and they are allowed to do DCF, but that runs me into the problem of reasoning.

 

I'm not in any particularly exceptional circumstances, which are: 

• U.S. military deployment (impending or current)

• Medical emergencies for the petitioner or beneficiary

• Threats to personal safety

• Imminent expiration of legal stay in a foreign country

• Adoption or child aging out

• Urgent humanitarian needs

• Urgent job re-location in a short timeframe 

Nothing there applies to me, so looks like I'm just doing the regular USCIS filing.

You've still given me hope for a (relatively) speedy process, so that's something!

[Reynal2m 22]

51 minutes ago, PGA said:

I did mine online in 2020 from Peru without any issues. As for the I-130A, I remember it was signed, scanned and uploaded somewhere in the evidence section, and yes as a pdf.

The I-130A doesn’t need to be signed if the beneficiary lives overseas. If I were in their position, I’d just submit it online—thousands of people do it that way without any issues. There's no need to risk delays or problems with the mail when you can save time and handle everything online.

 

[Asui 1]

Just now, Reynal2m said:

The I-130A doesn’t need to be signed if the beneficiary lives overseas. If I were in their position, I’d just submit it online—thousands of people do it that way without any issues. There's no need to risk delays or problems with the mail when you can save time and handle everything online.

 

In our particular case, we both live overseas in the same country, so we figured it was worth just signing it since it could be done. Easy enough to scan and attach as PDF.

Based on the comments I've received here, and my general understanding, online does seem the best way. Most resources I've found either have both people living in the US or one living in the US and the other in another country. I feel like sometimes I'm misunderstanding what is/isn't needed (like online vs. paper filing) just because we're both overseas.

[Crazy Cat 43,580]

7 minutes ago, Asui said:

 

That's good to hear, at least that they are generally quick with the interview. I looked it up and they are allowed to do DCF, but that runs me into the problem of reasoning.

 

I'm not in any particularly exceptional circumstances, which are: 

• U.S. military deployment (impending or current)

• Medical emergencies for the petitioner or beneficiary

• Threats to personal safety

• Imminent expiration of legal stay in a foreign country

• Adoption or child aging out

• Urgent humanitarian needs

• Urgent job re-location in a short timeframe 

Nothing there applies to me, so looks like I'm just doing the regular USCIS filing.

You've still given me hope for a (relatively) speedy process, so that's something!

I just checked the new (to me) NVC iV processing tool.  It appears NVC is scheduling interviews for Taipei cases which were document qualified last month......that is very fast compared to some...like Lagos. 

 

I like AIT.  I had to get a certificate of single status affidavit from them when my wife and I married there in 2015. They were very easy to deal with.

Edited Wednesday at 02:03 PM by Crazy Cat

[Asui 1]

12 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I just checked the new (to me) NVC iV processing tool.  It appears NVC is scheduling interviews for Taipei cases which were document qualified last month......that is very fast compared to some...like Lagos. 

 

I like AIT.  I had to get a certificate of single status affidavit from them when my wife and I married there in 2015. They were very easy to deal with.

Definitely! I've needed to get an "affidavit of marriage status" authenticated to prove I wasn't already married as well as my US driver's license authenticated for reciprocal license here in Taiwan. Never takes long to do anything and everyone is usually really nice.

[Reynal2m 22]

47 minutes ago, Asui said:

In our particular case, we both live overseas in the same country, so we figured it was worth just signing it since it could be done. Easy enough to scan and attach as PDF.

Based on the comments I've received here, and my general understanding, online does seem the best way. Most resources I've found either have both people living in the US or one living in the US and the other in another country. I feel like sometimes I'm misunderstanding what is/isn't needed (like online vs. paper filing) just because we're both overseas.

 

If you are overseas, I personally would choose to file online. That way, you can get updates directly through your email and your USCIS account. Here's a comparison of online vs. paper filing:

 

Online Filing (through USCIS account)

Advantages:

• Faster submission: No need to mail anything—submit instantly.

• Real-time status updates: Easily track your case, receive notifications, and upload additional evidence if requested.

• Fewer mistakes: The system checks for missing fields and errors before submission.

• Secure and centralized communication: Messages, RFEs (Requests for Evidence), and notices are all stored in your USCIS account.

• Immediate receipt notice: You get your I-797C (receipt notice) immediately after submission.

---

Paper Filing (via mail to USCIS)

Advantages:

• Accepted for all I-130 categories, including both immediate relatives and preference categories.

• Traditional method: Some feel more comfortable with physical copies and certified mail tracking.

• Easier to attach original signatures if required or preferred.

Disadvantages:

• Slower processing: Includes postal delivery time, USCIS intake scanning, and data entry.

• No instant updates: You must wait for mailed notices unless you link your receipt to an online account manually.

• Higher chance of delay or error: Lost mail, scanning errors, or incomplete forms are more common.

---

 

[KMG 195]

13 hours ago, Asui said:

Hello all,

 

I've searched and searched for a definitive answer and I'm coming up with conflicting answers. Hopefully, someone who has done this process can clarify for me.

 

We are beginning our I-130 application and filing from abroad; both of us live in Taiwan and will submit it from here.

 

I created a USCIS account and began the application, but I've read conflicting information to not use the online form if you are filing from abroad. 

So:

1) Should I use the online application, print the PDFs and then somehow upload them, or just do the paper version?

2) Do I upload the I-130A as a PDF in the evidence portion at the end of my I-130? Or is there some other way it should be done?

Apologies if this is the topic of discussion somewhere, but I just wasn't finding my exact answer anywhere online.

Thank you.
 

I filed online from abroad with no problems. As you fill out the application, you will be prompted to upload supporting documents, including the I-130A. Bonus convenience is you can continue to add more evidence while you wait for your application to be approved.

[Asui 1]

7 hours ago, KMG said:

I filed online from abroad with no problems. As you fill out the application, you will be prompted to upload supporting documents, including the I-130A. Bonus convenience is you can continue to add more evidence while you wait for your application to be approved.

 

Thank you so much for the clarification. I'm definitely feeling more solid on the online choice after this thread.