I-130 Question

[kiruption 0]

I am planning to send an I-130 petition for my wife by the end of the week. We are currently living in Japan, and according to the American embassies website the first step is to send an I-130 along with a g325a for each of us.

The second step provides a checklist of documents that must be submitted during our appointment once the I-130 is approved. It mentions that "If the original documents listed below have already been submitted with your I-130, you do not need to resubmit them. However, if there are any corrections or amendments of the records made, please submit the documents with corrected/amended information."

My question is, would it be beneficial to submit the documents I have available or just send the I-130 and G325a's? We would like to return to the US as soon as possible and I am not sure if submitting documents on the checklist would slow things down.

Another question I have is regarding the filing fee. The I-130 instructions say that the Check or Money order must be drawn from a bank in United States. We still have a bank in the US but we do not have a checkbook available here. I found out that my bank here in japan can make out a money order in US currency and I was planning on going with that route before I discovered this while reading through the instructions. What are my options in this situation?

Thanks for any help in advance, it is greatly appreciated!

Here are links if it helps.

first step http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivpetition.html

Second step http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivapplication.html

Checklist http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivinterviewcheck2.html

[Gaijinsan 3]

I am planning to send an I-130 petition for my wife by the end of the week. We are currently living in Japan, and according to the American embassies website the first step is to send an I-130 along with a g325a for each of us.

The second step provides a checklist of documents that must be submitted during our appointment once the I-130 is approved.

Submit only the documents required for the I-130. They're listed in the instructions. DO NOT send originals to the Chicago Lockbox.

It mentions that "If the original documents listed below have already been submitted with your I-130, you do not need to resubmit them. However, if there are any corrections or amendments of the records made, please submit the documents with corrected/amended information."

This is a little confusing because it's a mix of instructions from pre-August when you could still file the I-130 petition directly in Tokyo. At that time, you'd bring in originals plus a photocopy of these documents, they'd certify that the photocopy was correct and give the original back to you on the spot. Then, when it came to interview time, you didn't need to bring it again.

However, with the US-based filing via USCS, things are a little different, so just do exactly as the I-130 instructions say. You will need the originals of all those documents for the interview, even if you have submitted photocopies with the I-130.

My question is, would it be beneficial to submit the documents I have available or just send the I-130 and G325a's?

I don't think there's any value in sending them something beyond what they've asked for, but if in doubt go ahead and send it.

Another question I have is regarding the filing fee. The I-130 instructions say that the Check or Money order must be drawn from a bank in United States. We still have a bank in the US but we do not have a checkbook available here. I found out that my bank here in japan can make out a money order in US currency and I was planning on going with that route before I discovered this while reading through the instructions. What are my options in this situation?

I think this is ok. One of the other posters like Rebecca W. who has just recently done this can comment better. (When I filed at the embassy, I could just pay there with a credit card, which made things a lot easier.)

You could also have someone in the US make out a personal check to USCIS for the amount and send it to you, but all that mailing around will delay things.

Thanks for any help in advance, it is greatly appreciated!

Make sure that you, the petitioner, list your Japanese address everywhere it asks for one. There is anecdotal evidence floating around that overseas petitioners have been getting their petitions approved in just a week or two, vs. the 5-6+ month wait for petitioners residing in the US. This may be their way of making up for the elimination of DCF (direct consular filing) in countries such as Japan. Of course, your mileage may vary.

[kiruption 0]

Thank you for the quick reply! Your answers were big help! I am just going to send what they ask for and bring the rest to the interview.

I have an additional question that I forgot to add. This is actually our second time applying for permanent residence. Our previous application was made in the US and was successful. We lived in the US for two years and our son was born during this time. Before coming to Japan we were advised that she sign an I-407 because of our intention to live in Japan for a longer period than one year. We took the advise and went forward with doing so. Now that we are planning to return to the US, I have some questions regarding filing out the I-130.

When it asks for an A number, and social security number, do we use the same numbers assigned in our previous application? I have already done a lot of research on this and I am almost positive that we should use the same social security number, but not sure about the A number. Does anyone have an idea on this? Also where it asks "Have you ever filed for a petition for this or any other alien?" It asks for the place and date it was filed. What specific place and date are they referring to? We sent our previous packet into the office in Chicago, but our interview was conducting in Utah. Is there a specific document I can find the date of filing on?

I now see that my goal to have this completed by the end of the week was a little ambitious. Just hoping I can get everything together soon! Thanks again!

[Gaijinsan 3]

When it asks for an A number, and social security number, do we use the same numbers assigned in our previous application? I have already done a lot of research on this and I am almost positive that we should use the same social security number, but not sure about the A number. Does anyone have an idea on this? Also where it asks "Have you ever filed for a petition for this or any other alien?" It asks for the place and date it was filed. What specific place and date are they referring to? We sent our previous packet into the office in Chicago, but our interview was conducting in Utah. Is there a specific document I can find the date of filing on?

My understanding is that the A number will be maintained, so I'd suggest listing the previous one. For the second question, just list Chicago and put your closest approximation for the date (month/year should be fine - this is what I used for my second I-130*). With the A number they'll be able to tie all the files together anyway.

*I had previously submitted an I-130 for my wife, shortly after we were married, based on the embassy's own advice at the time that you should just file now, since the I-130 "generally does not expire". Somewhere in the intervening years, they went to a one-year period unless you contact them to reset the clock. Unfortunately, I had moved so the notice the embassy mailed went to my old address and wasn't forwarded. Long story short, I submitted a new I-130.

Edited February 15, 2012 by Gaijinsan