making payment

[Little_My 464]

Well this one opened a Pandora's box.. Going back to the original question, I'd say that what most of people seem to agree on, is..

1) there is no CLEAR CUT rule or instruction on whether to submit one check or separate checks

2) Either option is NOT AGAINST instructions or rules, i.e. either is really wrong.

3) Either option ALONE will no result in application being rejected (no one is getting an RFE or rejection notice because they sent in one check or two checks, as long as the information on the check/s is correct, amount is correct, and the check doesn't bounce.)

Personally, I went for two. Why? Because I feel it is clearer. Because I feel that though filed to the same location, same department, they are two separate applications that should be able to "stand alone", so to speak. Is this the RIGHT way? Who knows. Am I insecure about my application? Hell no.

So, for the original person asking the question (who has probably stopped reading this conversation a long time ago..), Just do what feels better for you, as long as you make sure the check is filled out correctly and the amount is right, and includes the filing fees and biometrics fee.

Some USCIS instructions are, probably on purpose, vague. They leave room for interpretation. I don't see the point of going on a rant about who is right and who is wrong in a situation where there obviously is NO ONE RIGHT ANSWER. There are many ways to give people advice - Luckily, on this site, most people have the patience and understanding to give that advice in a calm, respectful way.

[Mrstate 1]

I suggest paying the I-130 separate and the I-485 with the biometrics. but in some cases especially if your paying with money order most of the time they only allow no more than $1000 so what you can do is Pay the I485 fee which is $985 and the biometric fee for $85 , just put a note on the bottom of the check, it wouldnt hurt to pay it separately specially if you dont want to take the chance of your application being sent back because of the fees. But if you want to take a chance and send them in one check its up to you

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Weighing in on this topic.

I agree, the tone taken in some of the posts is unnecessarily arrogant and harsh. VJ is an experiential forum and everyone's personal experiences are valid.

Generally, one check for the biometrics and an application submitted together is fine. Ideally, each application should be set aside as a stand alone package. You can certainly write one check to cover all of them, clearly identifying on the check the applications and amounts the check covers, but it is - as posted in the guidelines- a better suggestion to have a check to cover each application in case one of the applications is sent back, which means returning the whole package if there is more than one application. In spite of the best review little items can be overlooked so it does make it 'as easy as possible' for each package to continue in the process individually if each package is complete individually - which means a check for each application.

Now, this isn't a matter of who is right and who is wrong, so 'attitude' taken that only one answer is correct is not only unnecessary, it is unwelcome. There are 2 answers available, and the choice is up to the applicant.

That being said, 1 post containing overly aggressive 'attitude' and therefore unacceptable for being posted in the immigration forums, has been removed, along with one post in response that quoted the removed comment.

It is alright for you to disagree with a comment posted; it is not alright to be disagreeable in doing so.

Edited March 6, 2011 by Kathryn41