Blanks on I-129F

[PhotoJ89 30]

Hi all,

 

I know this topic has touched on countless times, but I'm not seeing any recent data points/posts in conjunction with the new I-129F form, which clearly states "If an item is not applicable or the answer is “none,” leave the space blank."

 

Looking at the RFE master list, it's deeply concerning to see all the data points of RFE's given for leaving questions blank. However, it seems there have been no RFE's for blank spaces since 8/2015. Is it safe to assume it's now 100% OK to leave ANY question blank where the answer is none or n/a?

 

Thank you

[Scandi 4,166]

Not sure about RFEs but we didn't leave anything blank, we put "none" instead and didn't receive an RFE. I guess we just figured "none" was better than blank so they'd know we didn't just miss to fill it out or something.

[j N j 50]

7 minutes ago, Scandi said:

Not sure about RFEs but we didn't leave anything blank, we put "none" instead and didn't receive an RFE. I guess we just figured "none" was better than blank so they'd know we didn't just miss to fill it out or something.

Good idea..

[Scandi 4,166]

34 minutes ago, j N j said:

Good idea..

Yes I'm very glad we did it that way.

[PhotoJ89 30]

Managed to find instructions for the 2010 I-129F form, which states: "3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none, write "none."

 

So, it looks like my suspicion was correct. They recently changed the instructions on how to answer questions where the answer is none or N/A. 

 

The current form explicitly says leave questions blank if the answer is none/N/A. But in years past countless people received RFE's for leaving questions blank. Follow the current instructions and you run the risk of getting an adjudicator who isn't spun up on the new instructions, although that doesn't seem likely as there hasn't been a documented case of RFE for this in over a year. Most people seem to be saying "answer all questions with none/N/A if that is the answer." You do that and you're not following the instructions on the form. Seems like there's no "best" thing to do here. Pick one and hope it doesn't backfire. 

Edited January 1, 2017 by PhotoJ89

[j N j 50]

4 minutes ago, PhotoJ89 said:

Managed to find instructions for the 2010 I-129F form, which states: "3. Answer all questions fully and accurately. State that an item is not applicable with "N/A." If the answer is none, write "none."

 

So, it looks like my suspicion was correct. They recently changed the instructions on how to answer questions where the answer is none or N/A. 

 

The current form explicitly says leave questions blank if the answer is none/N/A. But in years past countless people received RFE's for leaving questions blank. Follow the current instructions and you run the risk of getting an adjudicator who isn't spun up on the new instructions, although that doesn't seem likely as there hasn't been a documented case of RFE for this in over a year. Most people seem to be saying "answer all questions with none/N/A if that is the answer." You do that and you're not following the instructions on the form. Seems like there's no "best" thing to do here. Pick one and hope it doesn't backfire. 

I guess it all comes down to whats being asked, the answer will be "none" or "n/a"

[Scandi 4,166]

I'm  curious now, have they ever given someone an RFE for writing none instead of leaving in blank? I know it happened the other way around, just not sure if there has been an RFE this way?

[PhotoJ89 30]

1 minute ago, Scandi said:

I'm  curious now, have they ever given someone an RFE for writing none instead of leaving in blank? I know it happened the other way around, just not sure if there has been an RFE this way?

 

Good question. Here's your answer. Looks like it's happened once since the instructions changed:

 

S1mone

10/8/2015

Packet included I-129F form sent with all spaces that do not apply with "N/A"

Sent in new I-129F with spaces that do not apply left blank per instructions.

[j N j 50]

Just now, PhotoJ89 said:

 

Good question. Here's your answer. Looks like it's happened once since the instructions changed:

 

 

S1mone

10/8/2015

Packet included I-129F form sent with all spaces that do not apply with "N/A"

Sent in new I-129F with spaces that do not apply left blank per instructions.

I just filled out the newly dated form, and it does say, leave blank.. very confusing

 

[Scandi 4,166]

1 minute ago, PhotoJ89 said:

 

Good question. Here's your answer. Looks like it's happened once since the instructions changed:

 

 

S1mone

10/8/2015

Packet included I-129F form sent with all spaces that do not apply with "N/A"

Sent in new I-129F with spaces that do not apply left blank per instructions.

We sent ours after that, not sure what the instructions said on the i-129f then. We never typed N/A though, only "none". Maybe that made a difference or maybe it's just up to the person going through the application.

[PhotoJ89 30]

3 minutes ago, j N j said:

I just filled out the newly dated form, and it does say, leave blank.. very confusing

 

 

Confusing, indeed. In my opinion, the "correct" and "best" thing to do if you're about to file (I plan on sending my packet tomorrow) is to leave blanks for none/N/A answers, per the current instructions, and hope you don't get an adjudicator who forgets the new rules. It seems to be a risk no matter what you do. 

Edited January 1, 2017 by PhotoJ89

[PhotoJ89 30]

3 minutes ago, Scandi said:

We sent ours after that, not sure what the instructions said on the i-129f then. We never typed N/A though, only "none". Maybe that made a difference or maybe it's just up to the person going through the application.

 

Good to know. I would assume it's mostly just luck of the draw on the person reviewing your application. They are humans after all. 

[j N j 50]

3 minutes ago, PhotoJ89 said:

 

Confusing, indeed. In my opinion, the "correct" and "best" thing to do if you're about to file (I plan on sending my packet tomorrow) is to leave blanks for none/N/A answers, per the current instructions, and hope you don't get an adjudicator who forgets the new rules. It seems to be a risk no matter what you do. 

Good luck with the packet, please keep us updated on what happens, I hope theres no issues for you.

[j N j 50]

1 minute ago, PhotoJ89 said:

 

Good to know. I would assume it's mostly just luck of the draw on the person reviewing your application. They are humans after all. 

^^ I agree with this^^

[PhotoJ89 30]

1 minute ago, j N j said:

Good luck with the packet, please keep us updated on what happens, I hope theres no issues for you.

 

Thank you! I will definitely update here regardless of the outcome.