Getting ready to file! (I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131)

[captal 2]

Thank you for all the help from anyone who has answered my questions. It's been very helpful. We're getting ready to file this week and I thought I'd throw up our cover letter as an example. I based mine off the example here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/172547-concurrent-filing-i-130-i-485-i-765-i-131-help/

Most everything is based off the guide (here) unless I found conflicting information on the USCIS website (then I went with USCIS).

I am going to 2-hole bunch all of my packages and use ACCO-type fasteners (click to see image). I also have tabs to label major sections which I will put on the bottom. Both checks will be paperclipped to their appropriate form, and passport photos will be labeled, put in plastic bags and paperclipped to a blank sheet of paper.

Today I'm going through the documents one more time before printing, and then tomorrow we'll start assembly and print anything we miss. Unfortunately, we don't have a printer so we're relying on FedEx/Kinkos.

Does it look like I'm missing anything?

P1

ORIGINAL SUBMISSION - IMMEDIATE RELATIVE (SPOUSE) FAMILY BASED PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE (I-130) WITH A CONCURRENT I-485, I-765, AND I-131 FILING

Major contents

Package 1: I-130 and evidence

Package 2: I-485 and evidence

Package 3: I-765 and evidence

Package 4: I-131 and evidence

P2

Package 1: I-130 and evidence

Package 1 Table of Contents

1-1 I-130 form and applicable fees attached with paper clip

1-2 Copy of sponsoring citizen's Passport

1-3 Copy of Marriage Certificate

1-4 Biometrics and Passport photos

1-4-1 Intending immigrant's G-325A form

1-4-2 Passport-type photo (1) of intending immigrant

1-4-3 Sponsor's G-325A form

1-4-4 Passport-type photo (1) of Sponsor

1-5 Evidence of bona fide marriage

1-5-1 Copy of lease from Japan

1-5-2 Copy of lease from Australia

1-5-3 Plane tickets from traveling together

1-5-4 Copy of passport stamps showing exit and entry together

1-5-5 Photographs

P3

Package 2: I-485 and evidence

Package 2 Table of Contents

2-1 I-485 form and applicable fees attached with paper clip

2-2 Family Register (replaces Birth Certificate in Japan)

2-2-1 Copy of intending immigrant's Family Register

(proof of birth marked)

2-2-2 English translation (proof of birth marked)

2-2-3 Declaration of translator

2-3 Copy of Marriage Certificate

2-4 Copy of intending immigrant’s passport pages

2-4-1 Biographical page

2-4-2 Change of name amendment page

2-4-3 Entry stamp page

2-5 I-693 form (sealed)

2-6 G-325A form with 2 passport-type pictures attached

2-7 I-864 form

2-6-1 Year 2012 federal income tax return filing

2-7-1 Proof of Assets

P4

Package 3: I-765 and evidence

Package 3 Table of Contents

3-1 I-765 form with 2 passport-type pictures attached

3-2 Copy of passport pages

3-2-1 Biographical page

3-2-2 Change of name amendment page

2-4-3 Entry stamp page

P5

Package 4: I-131 and evidence

4-1 I-131 form with 2 passport-type pictures attached

4-2 Copy of passport pages

4-2-1 Biographical page

4-2-2 Change of name amendment page

[Gaijinsan 3]

Thank you for all the help from anyone who has answered my questions. It's been very helpful. We're getting ready to file this week and I thought I'd throw up our cover letter as an example. I based mine off the example here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/172547-concurrent-filing-i-130-i-485-i-765-i-131-help/

Whew! That's a lot of paperwork!

I'm not sure how they'll feel about the fasteners/etc. It might just annoy the heck out of them as they may need loose-sheet access to the paperwork. I think I'd just staple things together and then use a big paperclip to hold related groups of documents together (I never had to file anything in the US so take my advice with a grain of salt. Some other more experienced soul please chime in if you think I'm off my rocker.)

Don't forget to keep a copy of everything in case they lose it and ask you to re-submit it.

[graduate 1]

im sending in my forms on saturday praying i did everythin right. Good luck!

[captal 2]

Yeah I spent about 6 hours going through stuff today (matching up passport stamps and printing them on the same page so it's easy to see the countries we've gone in and out of together), triple-checking forms, and basically just going through everything. Tomorrow is printing, passport photos and assembly.

Gaijinsan- they say on the site they prefer 2 hole punching at the top with an Acco binder- so that's why I'm doing it (see their tips here)

graduate- good luck!

I'm wondering if I need any more lengthy explanations aside from the page I wrote on our relationship for the bona fide marriage part. It doesn't look like it...

Edited February 9, 2012 by captal

[Little_My 464]

No, you don't need any lengthy explanations of anything, unless you need to include information on previous arrests/divorce/something else that requires additional information. To be honest, a separate explanation from you about your relationship is most likely pretty useless - it doesn't really function as proof of a bonafide marriage. But, I doubt it will harm either, so no reason not to send it now that you have it prepared.

I would personally add something that shows co-mingling of finances. USCIS tends to look for that.. bank accounts, credit/debit cards? Or shared insurances or phone plans?

Regarding the fasteners.. whatever you end up doing is going to be fine. It is good to be thorough and following the USCIS tips is definitely advisable, but trust me - whether you use ACCO fasteners or paper clips, it definitely will not matter for the outcome of your application.

[Gaijinsan 3]

Gaijinsan- they say on the site they prefer 2 hole punching at the top with an Acco binder- so that's why I'm doing it (see their tips here)

Thank you, I definitely did not know that! Now you just have to watch out for nasty papercuts

Regarding the fasteners.. whatever you end up doing is going to be fine. It is good to be thorough and following the USCIS tips is definitely advisable, but trust me - whether you use ACCO fasteners or paper clips, it definitely will not matter for the outcome of your application.

I once had a bunch of annoyance/extra work on my part with the IRS over them destroying half of my tax return (it was about 35 pages and e-filing wasn't allowed from overseas), so now I'm just extra wary of how things are attached and sent in. I guess I am just paranoid!

[captal 2]

Advice to all- don't try and file your immigration forms while living in a hotel far away from anyone you know.

Fedex/Kinko's got quite a bit of cash from me over the last few days from printing everything- probably in the realm of $30-40. UPS got $37 for 8 passport photos of my wife, and 2 of me. Fedex estimated $25-30 for 3 day shipping- so I'll be paying that tomorrow to ensure delivery by Wednesday (when my wife's visitor visa expires).

Everything is looking pretty good- I didn't end up getting any good evidence of co-mingled finances, but I do have two leases, plane tickets, 12 sets of matching entry/exit stamps from various countries and 10 photos. At least getting everything printed at Fedex made it look nice

Phew. Almost there.

[captal 2]

Done for now. Shipped out this morning via FedEx 3-day.

I'm so glad this part is over- I spent over 50 hours gathering everything, filling in forms, checking and rechecking- running to banks and FedEx. Definitely spent well north of $2000 on the entire process (including application fees of course).

And now the waiting begins. I hope that we've provided everything needed and that they accept my finances as evidence of enough support so that I don't have to find a sponsor.

Edited February 10, 2012 by captal

[kstrozyk 13]

Good luck! Please keep us informed.

Done for now. Shipped out this morning via FedEx 3-day.

I'm so glad this part is over- I spent over 50 hours gathering everything, filling in forms, checking and rechecking- running to banks and FedEx. Definitely spent well north of $2000 on the entire process (including application fees of course).

And now the waiting begins. I hope that we've provided everything needed and that they accept my finances as evidence of enough support so that I don't have to find a sponsor.

[graduate 1]

Sending mine tomorrow morning! Good luck to you!