Photos of Children for I130s?

[LauraDP 10]

My husband and I are just compiling everything we need to send off with our 5 I130 petitions (for myself and our four sons). We are worried we are missing something so I am looking for some reassurance I guess.

There does not appear - from the checklist for children - to be a requirement for the biographical information form to be submitted with the children's I130s. Therefore, there is no place for us to attach a photograph of each child. Is it then correct that we do not need to submit photographs of the children with the I130 petitions although both of us adults have to do so?

Also, as we are submitting the petitions as a family, do we send all of the I130s etc within one envelope to the London Embassy or in five separate envelopes that they will then compile into one case? If the former, do we still have to send five different self-addressed and stamped envelopes or does one suffice?

How big do the self-addressed envelopes need to be and with what postage? Would an A4 envelope with a first class stamp do the job?

I am tying my brain in knots trying to suss this out myself so I am hoping some VJers will be able to cut through that with the wisdom of experience.

Thank you in advance for any and all replies.

Best wishes

Laura

[Holly2234 66]

I havent done it for a child but from going through the forms, it doesnt look like it is needed. Just do exactly as it says on the guide.

Im not sure if there is a strict rule about how to send it in, but personally i would put all 5 petitions in a separate A4 envelope all inside of a bigger one so there wont be any mix up but it is kept all together. As for the self addressed envelopes, any size is fine, they just send one piece of paper in it. I would attach one with each petition just in case different people are working on them. It needs to be first class.

[LauraDP 10]

Thanks a lot, Holly.

I had not thought of putting them in separate envelopes inside one larger one. That's a great idea. Thanks.

I am glad you agree that it does not ask for the kids' photos. It seemed odd for them not to be asking for them so I thought I had to be missing something. I guess they just want those later on in the process.

Thanks for the reply about the size of envelopes too.

You are always so helpful - I think I would be totally lost without your replies.

Best wishes

Laura

[Holly2234 66]

Its strange that they dont need the photos but there must be some logical reason for it! Even if they do ask for them, you have got them anyway so an RFE would hold you back only a week or two and the petitions are being approved in about 4 weeks at the moment. Makes the 11 weeks that mine was approved in seem horrendous!

[LauraDP 10]

Really, only four weeks at present? That's great as it means we will be able to catch back up on our original timescale after delaying our submission by a month. We are posting the I130s in the next day or so and I am full of trepidation, excitement and anxiety. It's such a major decision.

When is it you are due to relocate to the US now, Holly?

[Holly2234 66]

Yeah the recent ones i have seen have been 29 days!

We're moving on the 22nd. A week tomorrow! My dad threw us a surprise leaving party today! It was nice. But i wish i had known! I would have taken my camera. My phone battery died too because i forgot to turn the switch on before i charged it last night so i couldnt get any pictures on there either!

[LauraDP 10]

Yeah the recent ones i have seen have been 29 days!

We're moving on the 22nd. A week tomorrow! My dad threw us a surprise leaving party today! It was nice. But i wish i had known! I would have taken my camera. My phone battery died too because i forgot to turn the switch on before i charged it last night so i couldnt get any pictures on there either!

Wow! So soon now. Do you feel prepared? I remember you posting about having to sell up your stuff so did you manage all of that OK? Shipping? It's this sort of stuff that keeps me awake at night right now even though that is way ahead in the future for us. Well best of luck with your move! I do hope you will continue to stop by the VJ forum so that we can follow your journey and - for selfish reasons this - because you are a fountain of knowledge.

Best wishes

Laura

[Holly2234 66]

Wow! So soon now. Do you feel prepared? I remember you posting about having to sell up your stuff so did you manage all of that OK? Shipping? It's this sort of stuff that keeps me awake at night right now even though that is way ahead in the future for us. Well best of luck with your move! I do hope you will continue to stop by the VJ forum so that we can follow your journey and - for selfish reasons this - because you are a fountain of knowledge.

Best wishes

Laura

I guess im as prepared as i will ever be! Ive just realised how much ####### we had in our house! Ive been selling a lot, donating just as much and throwing away even more! I've had enough creepy messages from people on Gumtree and Freecycle to last me a life time. I shipped a few boxes of photos and my daughters toys by surface mail which didnt cost TOO much. I ordered some suitcases and they are almost packed and the house is looking pretty empty now.

Thank you! I will stop by. I've got too comfortable not to I love forms and paperwork anyway and learning new things keeps me on my toes so it gives me something to do as well!