Request for Help from the Community: Quick scrub of the VJ Guides for New USCIS Policies

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

See made big above. This also is incorrect. You really want advise to file before the I-94 expires. An expired visa cannot be used to enter the USA. The K1 visa is dead on arrival, rendering its expiration date meaningless, once used to enter the USA. What I made big above should simply read, "file for AOS within 90 days of arrival." Since VJ is either no longer or never was a "newsgroup", I would change that too. Was VJ on Usenet at some point as a newsgroup?

Corrected.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Assembling the I-485 Package: Checklist

The first link is to a post from 2007 with outdated fees

The link to USCIS(in the first post) doesn't work.

Thanks for taking the time to do updates! : )

Corrected.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

There should be a directory for all topics when you click on "Wiki" instead of getting a general page. It provides members a understanding of available resources.

So something like this (or add to the main page)?

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Special:AllPages

There have been a lot of question lately about the process for parents. Maybe a total guide for parents. The current one kind of dies after assembling and submitting the petition. If you didn't use VJ for your arrival to the US people don't know what is next.

I can help someone assemble it. If they can cut a draft I can polish it up and post it.

[Karee 4,190]

Corrected!

Looks good!!

[pushbrk 12,883]

Corrected.

It still reads...

Apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS). You should file as soon as possible. If you have not filed for AOS and your K-1 expires, you will be considered out-of-status until you file. Make all attempts to file before you become out-of-status. You may also file for your EAD and AP at this time.

...The expiration of the K1 visa is irrelevant to adjusting status. This should be replaced with "by the time your allowed stay noted on your I-94 expires"

Anywhere else you see references to visa expiring having anything to do with legal status in the USA is incorrect. An expired visa only means it can no longer be used to enter the USA. You could get a visa that expires in ten years, then use it once with an allowed 90 day stay. You're out of status on day 91, not the day your visa expires. Visas are used to ENTER. It's the I-94 that controls how long you have status. On the other hand, you could enter the USA a week before your visa expires and be given a six month stay. Your visa would then expire 25 weeks before your allowed stay expired.

I hear stories often about people confused about this. The enter the USA, then think they can stay until their visa expires. Not the way it works. Let's not perpetuate that myth here on VJ.

Edited March 3, 2013 by pushbrk

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

In the I-485 AOS guides, it states you should send in additional documents, passport photos and payment as noted for the I-131 and I-765. The fees for those forms are waived when filing with a pending I-485. People often ask about the fees for those forms, include the fees incorrectly, or are shocked when told there are no extra fees for those forms when sending with the I-485. Sometimes they do not include those two forms because they think AOS will be cheaper without them, which of course is not the case. I think people see the word payment and think there is a fee for it without bothering to read the USCIS sites that state otherwise. Maybe you could add the statement there on the guide that those two form fees are waived when sending with or after a pending I-485?

Also, in the example forms it has an I-131 supplement for part 7 of the form, but no statement is required when sending with a pending I-485 form, as stated in the I-131 instructions. People also ask about that often and think they have to send an explanation of why they should be granted AP. This is not required. If you do not remove the example doc, then perhaps add (optional) next to it?

On the Affidavit of Support Tips page, it states that assets must be at 5 times:

"When assets are used, the assets must equal 5 times the difference between the annual income and the

needed 125% of the poverty level, this is because the affidavit is in effect for 5 years."

However, assets only need to be 3 times when sponsoring a spouse or minor child, as stated in the I-864 instructions.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Jay-Kay

[NikLR 13,227]

http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1

States to use files "OF-169" and OF-230.

Right now we either email or mail the DS-3032 (or with EP you complete DS-261 online) as the choice of agent form. We fill out DS-230 parts 1 and 2, sign part 1, and leave part 2 unsigned (or complete DS-260 online for consulates with EP)

Also people are confused because they're sending original documents to the NVC (should be original and photocopy) but yet it says to bring them to the interview. The original documents should be already with the case at the embassy/consulate.

Also if you want updated example forms I'd be happy to help Ours currently have someone getting married before they were born.

Edited March 3, 2013 by NikiR

[NikLR 13,227]

We should also update the K3 visa information in the main compare guide to say it is obsolete and rarely granted anymore and link the information as to why.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

The example form for the G-325A used for AOS has the married name in the top field for Family name, as it should be. However, it has the maiden name in the box at the bottom of the form. That box should also have the married name listed for Family name. I have seen people confused by this and ask if they need to put married name in both places or not. The bottom box needs to be changed to 'Smith' too.

http://www.visajourn...-G-325A-aos.pdf

Perhaps add a link to the i-864 instructions in the AOS form downloads? All the other forms have a link to their instructions except that one: http://www.visajourn...adjustmentforms

http://www.uscis.gov.../i-864instr.pdf

May even be helpful to add a link to the poverty guidelines as well: http://www.uscis.gov...form/i-864p.pdf

Edited March 3, 2013 by Jay-Kay

[unlockingsky 94]

So something like this (or add to the main page)?

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Special:AllPages

correct! it would be also nice to add other people's wiki into that list.

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

After reviewing the Guides - for once I am able to say I have no suggestions.

I am glad to see the split of the IR5, F4 AND F2A guides they are now defined.

Thanks for the invite, sorry the delay.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

The packet system is being replaced with PDF files sent via email. I'm not sure how many people are affected by this change. My husband's instructions and appointment letter all came as PDF files which he had to print. The email also arrived in a timely fashion The hard copy was delivered to him the day before his interview

[Karee 4,190]

The packet system is being replaced with PDF files sent via email. I'm not sure how many people are affected by this change. My husband's instructions and appointment letter all came as PDF files which he had to print. The email also arrived in a timely fashion The hard copy was delivered to him the day before his interview

Yeah I think the Bangkok embassy is requiring an email address now for communication as well.

[X Factor 1,112]

So far things look good for AOS after K-1

[hikergirl 277]

• I would like to see a CR-2 guide for people filing concurrently (i.e. if you are married and bringing your child/children with you). I have seen a lot of questions on it. From what documents to submit, to AOS fees (only once if going through NVC together) to how to fill out the I-864s. I know there are a few of us going through right now with our children and it takes a lot of googling trial and error sometimes to come up with an answer. Those are just the questions I can come up with off the top of my head.
  
• In the comparison chart the approx total cost for CR-1/IR-1 should be $903 (I think). I-130=$420, I-864/AOS=$88, IV Fee=$230 then new GC fee $165. It might be a good idea to put a breakdown of costs in the step-by-step guide with the disclaimer that this does not include police checks, medical, flights, photos, blah, blah. I’ve seen many threads asking for a breakdown of fees.
  

That’s all I can think of right now. This is an awesome resource for people and I am very happy to have found it even before my journey began!

So thanks to all the Admins/moderators. Great work!

Edited March 14, 2013 by hikergirl