None vs n/a vs [blank] on I-129F and G-325a redux

[jaygauss 0]

There have been many threads on this issue before, but they are scattered and sometimes contain outdated information since it seems the instructions have changed. I am paranoid about this issue ever since I read that someone was given an RFE for mixing these up!!!

I would like to present my understanding for verification.

1. The I-129F form contains new instructions to leave blank anything for which one might ordinarily put 'none' or 'n/a'. Therefore, one should never use 'none' or 'n/a' on the I-129F. Just leave it blank!

2. The G-325a includes no such instructions. In fact, in some places it explicitly tells you to write none if there is no former spouse, employment, etc. However, in some places leaving blanks can be confusing, and in other places it can be confusing to write 'none' when it may be confused for a response. Therefore, I am leaving no blanks and writing 'None' everywhere there is no response EXCEPT for 'MIDDLE NAME' and 'Province or State' (since there is none).

I hate that I even have to write such questions, but given that RFEs have been given for this, I will not take any chances with someone looking for an excuse to delay an application! Thanks.

Edited March 23, 2014 by jaygauss

[Thane 8]

Maybe since I am used to it from work, but I used "N/A - None" and everything went through fine. I would not leave anything blank since that leaves open the possibility for getting an RFE.

[jaygauss 0]

Maybe since I am used to it from work, but I used "N/A - None" and everything went through fine. I would not leave anything blank since that leaves open the possibility for getting an RFE.

But as I stated, the new instructions for the I-129F say to leave things blank!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

There have been many threads on this issue before, but they are scattered and sometimes contain outdated information since it seems the instructions have changed. I am paranoid about this issue ever since I read that someone was given an RFE for mixing these up!!!

I hate that I even have to write such questions, but given that RFEs have been given for this, I will not take any chances with someone looking for an excuse to delay an application! Thanks.

Can you provide links to those that have received an RFE for the use of N/A, None or leaving things blank?

Maybe since I am used to it from work, but I used "N/A - None" and everything went through fine. I would not leave anything blank since that leaves open the possibility for getting an RFE.

Why would someone receive an RFE for following exactly what the form instructions tell you to do when filling out their form? I would follow the instructions the USCIS provides.

1) From the I-129F instructions > http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

How To Fill Out Form I-129F

3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If an item is not applicable or the answer is “none,” leave the space blank.

[jaygauss 0]

Can you provide links to those that have received an RFE for the use of N/A, None or leaving things blank?

Why would someone receive an RFE for following exactly what the form instructions tell you to do when filling out their form? I would follow the instructions the USCIS provides.

1) From the I-129F instructions > http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

How To Fill Out Form I-129F

3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If an item is not applicable or the answer is “none,” leave the space blank.

This: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1071264, is one example. There were also some comments to this effect in the Master RFE thread.

As you can see, I also read the instructions about the I-129F and I share your understanding. But my question also was about the G-325a, which seems to have no such instructions.

[ashleyphilly 70]

Can you provide links to those that have received an RFE for the use of N/A, None or leaving things blank?

Why would someone receive an RFE for following exactly what the form instructions tell you to do when filling out their form? I would follow the instructions the USCIS provides.

1) From the I-129F instructions > http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

How To Fill Out Form I-129F

3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. If an item is not applicable or the answer is “none,” leave the space blank.

We left it blank per instructions as well. Hope we dont get an RFE over this. Oh well,,,

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

This: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1071264, is one example. There were also some comments to this effect in the Master RFE thread.

As you can see, I also read the instructions about the I-129F and I share your understanding. But my question also was about the G-325a, which seems to have no such instructions.

That post you linked to is almost 11 years old. It is from 2003. I have no clue what the form instructions said then, nor how picky the adjudicators were being, though there is a difference between N/A and None.

I still have not seen any RFEs for someone following the form instructions lately, as it is currently and has been since June 2013. The form instructions state to leave them blank and people have been following the instructions and approved just fine that way, as they should be. Before the latest form edition came out last summer, the instructions were to not leave any blanks and use N/A and None where appropriate. With the new form edition and adding on of the bar code to the form, also came new form instructions. You are now to leave anything that would be answered as N/A or None blank instead. That is stated clearly in the form instructions, which everyone should read and follow when filling out the form

The G-325A can follow the same instructions, or not. I do not think it really matters all that much. Just follow the instructions on the form itself, and put None where appropriate when it asks.

We left it blank per instructions as well. Hope we dont get an RFE over this. Oh well,,,

You should not get an RFE for following the USCIS form instructions. Do not worry or stress over it.

[jaygauss 0]

You should not get an RFE for following the USCIS form instructions. Do not worry or stress over it.

What you say is reassuring, but I just note that there are no form instructions on the G-325a regarding this.

[jaygauss 0]

You should not get an RFE for following the USCIS form instructions. Do not worry or stress over it.

What you say is reassuring, but I just note that there are no form instructions on the G-325a regarding this.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

The G-325A does not really need its own instructions. As I said, you can follow the same instructions for it as the I-129F, or enter None for everything that would be None, like the example here on VJ shows > http://www.visajourney.com/examples/INS-Form-G-325A.pdf

Not seen anyone get an RFE for the G-325A for blank fields either.

[Hank_ 9,174]

There have been many threads on this issue before, but they are scattered and sometimes contain outdated information since it seems the instructions have changed. I am paranoid about this issue ever since I read that someone was given an RFE for mixing these up!!!

I would like to present my understanding for verification.

1. The I-129F form contains new instructions to leave blank anything for which one might ordinarily put 'none' or 'n/a'. Therefore, one should never use 'none' or 'n/a' on the I-129F. Just leave it blank!

2. The G-325a includes no such instructions. In fact, in some places it explicitly tells you to write none if there is no former spouse, employment, etc. However, in some places leaving blanks can be confusing, and in other places it can be confusing to write 'none' when it may be confused for a response. Therefore, I am leaving no blanks and writing 'None' everywhere there is no response EXCEPT for 'MIDDLE NAME' and 'Province or State' (since there is none).

I hate that I even have to write such questions, but given that RFEs have been given for this, I will not take any chances with someone looking for an excuse to delay an application! Thanks.

Follow the instructions for each form. The new I-129F wants questions left blank that do not apply. The G-325A it does not matter.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Hank_