Approved I-130 with no supporting docs...

[speedwell 224]

Hi, folks. Sorry to waste everyone's time but I can't find a situation exactly like ours and I'm feeling really dumb right now.

When I submitted my I-130 for my husband, I let him talk me into thinking that we should not submit any documentation other than the basic required stuff, so we had literally NO supporting documentation. We really did not have that much to submit anyway since the I-130 went in less than one month after our wedding. Long story short, our I-130 was approved anyway, something that really shocked me as I was 100 percent expecting an RFE.

We have not received our NVC case number yet (though I have been calling every day). I'm trying to figure out what to put together to submit. We have plenty of good, solid evidence now. I have heard of people "front-loading" their submission with evidence so that the consulate has additional information to review before the interview. Here are my specific questions:

- What form do you submit the evidence with (I'm assuming his visa application rather than my affidavit of support docs)?

- How do you put the package of supporting information together?

- Do you need to include originals of supporting information docs in the package?

- Is there any specific way we should word a cover sheet for the package to make it clear what all the extra stuff is for?

- Can you think of anything else we should do?

Thanks all!!! Sorry to be so dim. I guess I'm one of those who can't do, but can teach

[dwheels76 5,469]

Hi, folks. Sorry to waste everyone's time but I can't find a situation exactly like ours and I'm feeling really dumb right now.

When I submitted my I-130 for my husband, I let him talk me into thinking that we should not submit any documentation other than the basic required stuff, so we had literally NO supporting documentation. We really did not have that much to submit anyway since the I-130 went in less than one month after our wedding. Long story short, our I-130 was approved anyway, something that really shocked me as I was 100 percent expecting an RFE.

We have not received our NVC case number yet (though I have been calling every day). I'm trying to figure out what to put together to submit. We have plenty of good, solid evidence now. I have heard of people "front-loading" their submission with evidence so that the consulate has additional information to review before the interview. Here are my specific questions:

- What form do you submit the evidence with (I'm assuming his visa application rather than my affidavit of support docs)?

- How do you put the package of supporting information together?

- Do you need to include originals of supporting information docs in the package?

- Is there any specific way we should word a cover sheet for the package to make it clear what all the extra stuff is for?

- Can you think of anything else we should do?

Thanks all!!! Sorry to be so dim. I guess I'm one of those who can't do, but can teach

You will submit all extra evidence with ur DS-230 package. And just assemble like a regular petition package. Have your DS-230 stuff on top and ur evidence in a nice order binder clipped ir paperclipped in their sections.

Be sure on ur DS-230 coverletter you list all you have included and request that all evidence be added to ur casefile and forwarded to the embassy.

I added 900 pages + added my original 219 page I-130 petition (I have heard USCIS doesn't always send everything ) + 96 page photobook (done on shutterfly) + 31 page photobook.

Our embassy is Nigeria I am leaving nothing left to "bring to interview" you may never get that chance.

And there's nothing dim or dumb with what you ask. This evidence thing is a hit or miss. Where u added no extra someone else gets denied or RCE at Uscis. Or people put everything and the kitchen sink and petition is denied. Its like are we to be subjected to the moods of adjudicators now. Goodness!

Edited February 14, 2013 by dwheels76

[speedwell 224]

That is absolutely clear, thank you, dwheels!!

I thought about it, and I will send clear copies of the supporting documentation. If they need to see originals, they will either ask for them in an RFE or at the interview (and he will have them). Of course I will send originals if they are required basic documentation.

It's a fine line between sending enough, and sending so much that I can't expect my husband to know all the information on the supporting documentation. But we think it will be OK. One thing I CAN send is the 2012 tax forms, since they have just been completed. I paid a CPA way too much... well no I didn't actually since I got a refund instead of worrying about how to pay thousands more!!

Edited February 14, 2013 by speedwell

[dirk_diggler 107]

You will submit all extra evidence with ur DS-230 package. And just assemble like a regular petition package. Have your DS-230 stuff on top and ur evidence in a nice order binder clipped ir paperclipped in their sections.

Be sure on ur DS-230 coverletter you list all you have included and request that all evidence be added to ur casefile and forwarded to the embassy.

I added 900 pages + added my original 219 page I-130 petition (I have heard USCIS doesn't always send everything ) + 96 page photobook (done on shutterfly) + 31 page photobook.

Our embassy is Nigeria I am leaving nothing left to "bring to interview" you may never get that chance.

And there's nothing dim or dumb with what you ask. This evidence thing is a hit or miss. Where u added no extra someone else gets denied or RCE at Uscis. Or people put everything and the kitchen sink and petition is denied. Its like are we to be subjected to the moods of adjudicators now. Goodness!

are you supposed to provide most of the "soft docs" (pics, emails, ...) with the DS-230 or wait until the interview to bring them? is it embassy specific?

[speedwell 224]

are you supposed to provide most of the "soft docs" (pics, emails, ...) with the DS-230 or wait until the interview to bring them? is it embassy specific?

It's not embassy-specific, but due to internal consulate policies and practices, it turns out to be much less necessary at London, and absolutely indispensable in Nigeria or the Philippines.

It's my understanding that USCIS transfers your I-130 supporting documentation to the NVC and from there to the consulate. My concern was that we had ZERO supporting evidence, just the basic stuff. I know London is easy, but not THAT easy.

That said, you should make sure the consulate has copies of as much information as will help your case. You should ALSO bring originals with you to the interview in case the interviewer did not receive your evidence, pretends not to have it, or casts doubt upon the authenticity of it.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I added 900 pages + added my original 219 page I-130 petition (I have heard USCIS doesn't always send everything ) + 96 page photobook (done on shutterfly) + 31 page photobook.

Wow. Just WOW. 1246 pages.

We got all the way (K1 > Adjustment of Status > Removing Conditions > US Citizenship) with 243 total pieces of paper.

Speedwell--you proved your marriage with a marriage certificate. That got you approved. USCIS knows you haven't had a chance to live together and co-mingle your finances yet. You will do that when you remove conditions after two years.

NVC doesn't need a pile of evidence of marriage and photos. They dont do any approving. Take it in hand to the interview. I would take a few photos to your interview in London...maybe from the wedding or a holiday together or with family. London will not look at a photo album or a gazillion pages of emails, Skype logs, and such fluff. If you visit again, you might take your boarding passes. If you co-mingle money like a joint bank account or file joint 2012 US tax return or lease an apartment together then take that. Not easy to do before moving to the US so dont worry about it if you don't. London may not even be interested anyway. It is not going to be anything like Nigeria in London.

Edited February 14, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[speedwell 224]

Wow. Just WOW. 1246 pages.

We got all the way (K1 > Adjustment of Status > Removing Conditions > US Citizenship) with 243 total pieces of paper.

Speedwell--you proved your marriage with a marriage certificate. That got you approved. USCIS knows you haven't had a chance to live together and co-mingle your finances yet. You will do that when you remove conditions after two years.

NVC doesn't need a pile of evidence of marriage and photos. They dont do any approving. I would take a few photos to your interview in London...maybe from the wedding or a holiday together or with family. London will not look at a photo album or a gazillion pages of emails, Skype logs, and such fluff. If you visit again, you might take your boarding passes. If you co-mingle money like a joint bank account or file joint 2012 US tax return or lease an apartment together then take that. Not easy to do before moving to the US so dont worry about it if you don't. London may not even be interested anyway. It is not going to be anything like Nigeria in London.

Awesome (can you tell I'm the USC lol), that's good to know. We do have a joint bank account, a joint 2012 tax return (long live my CPA), and an apartment lease. We're good and solid. I just wanted to make sure we were overdressed for the party Thanks much!!

[cathy2904 97]

I agree with Nich-Nick; London is different. Our I-130 was approved with nothing more than a couple of affidavits from friends, we sent no evidence to NVC and, although I took plenty to the interview, they were not interested in it at the embassy.

[speedwell 224]

Given that we were married in Aberdeen, it's safe to say that the UK (or at least Scotland) have already satisfied themselves that we weren't getting married for immigration purposes, lol. The US, we're a bit more... ornery. Thanks, Cathy.

[cathy2904 97]

You're very welcome. We are going to be filing for ROC this year so I am collecting everything I can think of for that.

[evelyn1140 18]

You can send it to the NVC or wait for the embassy appoitment

[Cathi 5,794]

Hi, folks. Sorry to waste everyone's time but I can't find a situation exactly like ours and I'm feeling really dumb right now.

When I submitted my I-130 for my husband, I let him talk me into thinking that we should not submit any documentation other than the basic required stuff, so we had literally NO supporting documentation. We really did not have that much to submit anyway since the I-130 went in less than one month after our wedding. Long story short, our I-130 was approved anyway, something that really shocked me as I was 100 percent expecting an RFE.

We have not received our NVC case number yet (though I have been calling every day). I'm trying to figure out what to put together to submit. We have plenty of good, solid evidence now. I have heard of people "front-loading" their submission with evidence so that the consulate has additional information to review before the interview. Here are my specific questions:

- What form do you submit the evidence with (I'm assuming his visa application rather than my affidavit of support docs)?

- How do you put the package of supporting information together?

- Do you need to include originals of supporting information docs in the package?

- Is there any specific way we should word a cover sheet for the package to make it clear what all the extra stuff is for?

- Can you think of anything else we should do?

Thanks all!!! Sorry to be so dim. I guess I'm one of those who can't do, but can teach

this happened to a friend of mine last year, they sent nothing with the I-130 for evidence. Her husband brought supporting evidence to the interview and he was approved that day.. There is no need to send anything to the NVC other than what is required. Take your supporting evidence to the interview.