I-751 2-year condition removal materials and tips

[sanmi 1]

 

I got my 2-year greencard through my husband (US citizen).

We were both living in TX for 5 years and we got married in 2014 in TX. Then I moved to NY for a new job. We applied for GC in 2015 while we were living apart and I was holding H1B at that time... Anyways, I got my 2-year GC in Sept 2015.


tips:

1. Ask people to write affidavits EARLY!!
   You never know how long it will take a person to polish or to write an affidavit for you
2. Diversified affidavits
   I think it is important to have more than 2 affidavits, and they should not be all from families or friends. Diversified affidavits could be more convincing.
   We have one from a close family, one from a colleague, one from a very closed friend and one from our landlord
3.  Save airplane tickets and keep track of trips you took together. Also, remember to take photos!! 
   My husband and I don't like taking photos... But we did take a lot of them because I know we need them for immigration reasons...
4. File I-751: who is the petitioner?!
   Different from the first time we applied GC. I (the conditional resident) is the petitioner.
   This can be deduced from I-751:
   In Part 8 of I-751: "Part 8. Spouse's or Individual Listed in Part 4.'s Statement" where "Part 4. Information About the U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Spouse"; (Note: 2-year gc holder are NOT lawful permanent resident yet)
   This implies that Part 8 is US citizen signature, and Part 7, is where I (conditional resident) need to sign!!
   Then, in the instruction of I-751, it says that
   "Part 7. Petitioner’s Statement, Contact Information, Acknowledgement of Appointment at USCIS Application Support Center, Certi cation, and Signature."
   So the conditional resident is indeed the petitioner...
5. If you are not sure about whether USCIS needs something, then assume they do...
6. Don't forget to sign!!
7. Make sure you send the materials to the right address!!
   In the past, we sent our material to Chicago. But this time it's different (depending on which state you live)
8. how much we need to pay
   We paid 680, filling fee+biometric. But if you have kids or someone extra, you need to pay more biometric. So double check how much you need to pay!!
9. Prepare binders of photos and trip details
   It took me very long to compile a binder of photo and trip details.
   Basically, for each trip, I made pages of photos with stickers stating location, time period, and people in them; followed by a holder of documents including flight tickets, hotel reservation, train tickets, museum entrance (if booked online), border stamps (if international travel) etc. 
   eg. we went to France together for 7 days. I also wrote a detailed list of our trip (if you took pictures on your phone it actually shows location and time, very easy to trace )
   day 0, we left from JFK to Paris
   day 1 -3 Paris, we were staying at Airbnb (mr. meow). We went to museum, shopping and blabla
   day 4- 6 Lyon, we were staying at Airbnb (Mr. woaf). We walked around the city, blabla
   day 7, we left from Paris to JFK
   
   If you went on a short trip, you may just have a few photos and a sticker saying that when, where you went to this place.
   If people visited your place, you may also provide details of the person's flight and photos of the person's visit.

Timeline:  my GC will expire on 09/15/2017

05/01/2017: ask for affidavits from my mother in law, my colleague, our common friends in TX, our landlord

It took me one week to prepare everything and then I mailed my materials (10 pounds!) through UPS 2nd day air...


Cover letter: (xxx is me, the conditional resident; uuu is the US citizen)

To: 

USCIS wherever you need to send your material

RE: Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence for xxx


Dear USCIS Officer:

Enclosed please find a Form I-751 petition for removal of conditions of permanent resident status regarding my wife, xxx. Please find enclosed the following required and supporting documents.

• Original Form I-751 filled and signed by myself, US citizen, uuu; and my wife, the conditional resident, xxx
• Personal Check, in the amount of $680.00 for payment of Form I-751 petition and biometric fee
• Copy of xxx's Permanent Resident Card front and back
• Two passport-style color photos of xxx


A binder of documentation in support of our marriage and ongoing relationship:
1. Copy of our marriage certificate
2. Copies of our driver’s licenses, showing our current address
3. Copies of our passports, showing travel abroad together
4. Copies of IRS transcript of our joint tax return and wages for 2014
5. Copies of IRS transcript of our joint tax return and wages for 2015
6. Copies of IRS transcript of our joint tax return and wages for 2016
7. Copy of our joint checking account statements (past 18 months)
8. Copy of our joint savings account statements (past 18 months)
9. Copy of xxx's  retirement statements, listing uuu as the primary beneficiary since 2014
10. Copy of joint credit cards. Also statements for joint credit card ending 1234, with uuu as primary card holder, credit card ending 4567, with xxx as the primary card holder, costco credit card, with uuu as the primary card holder
11. Original affidavits affirmed by uuu's mother
12. Original affidavits affirmed by our landlord
13. Original affidavits affirmed by xxx's colleague
14. Original affidavits affirmed by our friend
15. Copy of our joint vision insurance
16. Copy of our joint travel insurance
17. Copy of our joint dental insurance
18. Copy of our car our car title and insurance cards (since the car was purchased in 2014)
19. Copy of our lease agreements
20. Copies of our AT&T monthly wireless phone statements, with phone calls between us highlighted (past 18 months).
21. A separate binder of photos and details of trips we took in 2013 and 2014, and our wedding photos; and flight tickets/itineraries for visiting each other in 2014 (as we were living apart)
22. A separate binder of photos and details of trips we took in 2015, 2016 and 2017; and flight tickets/itineraries for visiting each other in 2015




If you have any questions or concerns regarding our application, please do not hesitate to contact me: uuu, (123)456-7890, abcd@yahoo.com
or my wife
xxx: (987)654-8888, lkajdf@yahoo.com
or at the address below. 

Thank you very much.

 

 Sincerely,

 

 

(sign)

 

uuuuu

abc street,

Apt 222

wwwwwwwww

 

 

[Crazy Cat 42,056]

Thank you for sharing.  I will certainly use your advice and examples when we are eligible for ROC.  Thanks.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Affidavits really aren't necessary unless you don't have any primary evidence (financial, co-mingled assets, proof of living together). There's no need to hassle your friends and family.  I don't want people to think that they're necessary - we sent 0. We sent zero photos, plane tickets etc. 

 

 

[sanmi 1]

2 minutes ago, lost_at_sea said:

Affidavits really aren't necessary unless you don't have any primary evidence (financial, co-mingled assets, proof of living together). There's no need to hassle your friends and family.  I don't want people to think that they're necessary - we sent 0. We sent zero photos, plane tickets etc. 

 

 

As for affidavits, it was recommended in the instruction of I-751. No one knows what would make a difference. At least, USCIS didn't say affidavits aren't necessary unless you don't have any other proof. 

 

As for trips, we were living apart, so more materials would be needed I assume, but I am not sure about it. 

 

It's great that you didn't go through the hassle to prepare any of those materials. But I just "

Submit copies of as many documents as you can", as stated in the instruction of I-751

[lost_at_sea 995]

5 minutes ago, sanmi said:

As for affidavits, it was recommended in the instruction of I-751. No one knows what would make a difference. At least, USCIS didn't say affidavits aren't necessary unless you don't have any other proof. 

 

As for trips, we were living apart, so more materials would be needed I assume, but I am not sure about it. 

 

It's great that you didn't go through the hassle to prepare any of those materials. But I just "

Submit copies of as many documents as you can", as stated in the instruction of I-751

 

It's a recommended example of what you can include, not a requirement, as per the instructions PDF.  The only required documents are the tax returns.

 

Of course every case is different - with your living apart, you had to include more. That's not a typical case for a majority people - they don't need to include all that extra. 

 

To clarify - sorry! Your list is helpful! I just don't want people to panic and stress about getting too much together that they don't need to. Each case is unique and the appropriate amount of documentation should be gathered. 

Edited June 18, 2017 by lost_at_sea

[sanmi 1]

4 minutes ago, lost_at_sea said:

 

It's a recommended example of what you can include, not a requirement, as per the instructions PDF.  The only required documents are the tax returns.

 

Of course every case is different - with your living apart, you had to include more. That's not a typical case for a majority people - they don't need to include all that extra. 

I was also following other people's checklists I found online. 

I didn't say in my post that all these are required, just tips if you are preparing documents. 

Joint tax return is also listed under where suggested documents are. People may not have joint tax return, or they may not have kids, or they may not have rental lease, or anything. But like what USCIS suggested, submit as much as possible to establish the relationship. 

[Scandi 4,178]

"In Part 8 of I-751: "Part 8. Spouse's or Individual Listed in Part 4.'s Statement" where "Part 4. Information About the U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Spouse"; (Note: 2-year gc holder are NOT lawful permanent resident yet)"

 

 

On visajourney I've heard that they are and also that they're not, it's confusing. 

[sanmi 1]

20 minutes ago, Scandi said:

"In Part 8 of I-751: "Part 8. Spouse's or Individual Listed in Part 4.'s Statement" where "Part 4. Information About the U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Spouse"; (Note: 2-year gc holder are NOT lawful permanent resident yet)"

 

 

On visajourney I've heard that they are and also that they're not, it's confusing. 

I am also very confused about it. (I also saw this sample, recent I 751 : http://www.visaharmony.com/sample-I751.php)

 

In Part 1 of I-751, it seems like we are the "conditional resident", not a permanent resident?( Just my guess, so we don't belong to the legal permanent resident category). If we are holding a 2-year greencard, we cannot sponsor anyone for immigration)

 

Also, if USCIS only mentioned "U.S. citizen" in part 4 but not anywhere else, then should Part 4 be my husband I guess (i.e. the person who sponsored my GC?)? This is still my guess. 

 

Anyways, if part 4 and part 8 are locked... Then part 7 is where we (conditional resident) need to sign, and then we are petitioner.

 

add: I really think 2-year greencard means conditional permanent resident... It doesn't mean we are illegal, just means we are conditional...

Edited June 18, 2017 by sanmi

[mindthegap 2,599]

3 hours ago, lost_at_sea said:

 

It's a recommended example of what you can include, not a requirement, as per the instructions PDF.  The only required documents are the tax returns.

 

 

Tax returns are not a required document. Nothing on USCIS' list of suggested evidence is mandatory.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, sanmi said:

(Note: 2-year gc holder are NOT lawful permanent resident yet)

A two year permanent resident card holder who has filed an I-751 on time, was previously a lawful permanent resident, and remains in the status of lawful permanent resident until such time as denied by USCIS, or by an immigration judge.

 

 

In fact, sod this for a game of soldiers.

I am going to write a master I-751 guide that can be stickied, in order to answer all this stuff once and for all and (hopefully) prevent the many duplicate threads asking the same questions.

[sanmi 1]

14 minutes ago, mindthegap said:

Tax returns are not a required document. Nothing on USCIS' list of suggested evidence is mandatory.

 

 

 

A two year permanent resident card holder who has filed an I-751 on time, was previously a lawful permanent resident, and remains in the status of lawful permanent resident until such time as denied by USCIS, or by an immigration judge.

 

 

In fact, sod this for a game of soldiers.

I am going to write a master I-751 guide that can be stickied, in order to answer all this stuff once and for all and (hopefully) prevent the many duplicate threads asking the same questions.

I only know that a 2-year conditional gc holder cannot file an I-130 for someone else... But I really don't know what's the difference here... I just guessed 'conditional resident' is the identity I used while filing I-751 (part 1), and Part 4 is not where I put my information. (I am the GC holder)

 

Looking forward to see the master guide for I-751 even if I submitted my application already. Hopefully, I will pass the 2-year barrier and then face the 10-year renewal in the future

[DrEllaNJ 288]

does everyone submit all 18 monthly statements of every single bank account? I was planning to make a selection, like quarterly or so...

[Dashinka 24,726]

21 hours ago, sanmi said:

 

I got my 2-year greencard through my husband (US citizen).

We were both living in TX for 5 years and we got married in 2014 in TX. Then I moved to NY for a new job. We applied for GC in 2015 while we were living apart and I was holding H1B at that time... Anyways, I got my 2-year GC in Sept 2015.


tips:

1. Ask people to write affidavits EARLY!!
   You never know how long it will take a person to polish or to write an affidavit for you
2. Diversified affidavits
   I think it is important to have more than 2 affidavits, and they should not be all from families or friends. Diversified affidavits could be more convincing.
   We have one from a close family, one from a colleague, one from a very closed friend and one from our landlord
3.  Save airplane tickets and keep track of trips you took together. Also, remember to take photos!! 
   My husband and I don't like taking photos... But we did take a lot of them because I know we need them for immigration reasons...
4. File I-751: who is the petitioner?!
   Different from the first time we applied GC. I (the conditional resident) is the petitioner.
   This can be deduced from I-751:
   In Part 8 of I-751: "Part 8. Spouse's or Individual Listed in Part 4.'s Statement" where "Part 4. Information About the U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Spouse"; (Note: 2-year gc holder are NOT lawful permanent resident yet)
   This implies that Part 8 is US citizen signature, and Part 7, is where I (conditional resident) need to sign!!
   Then, in the instruction of I-751, it says that
   "Part 7. Petitioner’s Statement, Contact Information, Acknowledgement of Appointment at USCIS Application Support Center, Certi cation, and Signature."
   So the conditional resident is indeed the petitioner...
5. If you are not sure about whether USCIS needs something, then assume they do...
6. Don't forget to sign!!
7. Make sure you send the materials to the right address!!
   In the past, we sent our material to Chicago. But this time it's different (depending on which state you live)
8. how much we need to pay
   We paid 680, filling fee+biometric. But if you have kids or someone extra, you need to pay more biometric. So double check how much you need to pay!!
9. Prepare binders of photos and trip details
   It took me very long to compile a binder of photo and trip details.
   Basically, for each trip, I made pages of photos with stickers stating location, time period, and people in them; followed by a holder of documents including flight tickets, hotel reservation, train tickets, museum entrance (if booked online), border stamps (if international travel) etc. 
   eg. we went to France together for 7 days. I also wrote a detailed list of our trip (if you took pictures on your phone it actually shows location and time, very easy to trace )
   day 0, we left from JFK to Paris
   day 1 -3 Paris, we were staying at Airbnb (mr. meow). We went to museum, shopping and blabla
   day 4- 6 Lyon, we were staying at Airbnb (Mr. woaf). We walked around the city, blabla
   day 7, we left from Paris to JFK
   
   If you went on a short trip, you may just have a few photos and a sticker saying that when, where you went to this place.
   If people visited your place, you may also provide details of the person's flight and photos of the person's visit.

Timeline:  my GC will expire on 09/15/2017

05/01/2017: ask for affidavits from my mother in law, my colleague, our common friends in TX, our landlord

It took me one week to prepare everything and then I mailed my materials (10 pounds!) through UPS 2nd day air...


Cover letter: (xxx is me, the conditional resident; uuu is the US citizen)

To: 

USCIS wherever you need to send your material

RE: Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence for xxx


Dear USCIS Officer:

Enclosed please find a Form I-751 petition for removal of conditions of permanent resident status regarding my wife, xxx. Please find enclosed the following required and supporting documents.

• Original Form I-751 filled and signed by myself, US citizen, uuu; and my wife, the conditional resident, xxx
• Personal Check, in the amount of $680.00 for payment of Form I-751 petition and biometric fee
• Copy of xxx's Permanent Resident Card front and back
• Two passport-style color photos of xxx


A binder of documentation in support of our marriage and ongoing relationship:
1. Copy of our marriage certificate
2. Copies of our driver’s licenses, showing our current address
3. Copies of our passports, showing travel abroad together
4. Copies of IRS transcript of our joint tax return and wages for 2014
5. Copies of IRS transcript of our joint tax return and wages for 2015
6. Copies of IRS transcript of our joint tax return and wages for 2016
7. Copy of our joint checking account statements (past 18 months)
8. Copy of our joint savings account statements (past 18 months)
9. Copy of xxx's  retirement statements, listing uuu as the primary beneficiary since 2014
10. Copy of joint credit cards. Also statements for joint credit card ending 1234, with uuu as primary card holder, credit card ending 4567, with xxx as the primary card holder, costco credit card, with uuu as the primary card holder
11. Original affidavits affirmed by uuu's mother
12. Original affidavits affirmed by our landlord
13. Original affidavits affirmed by xxx's colleague
14. Original affidavits affirmed by our friend
15. Copy of our joint vision insurance
16. Copy of our joint travel insurance
17. Copy of our joint dental insurance
18. Copy of our car our car title and insurance cards (since the car was purchased in 2014)
19. Copy of our lease agreements
20. Copies of our AT&T monthly wireless phone statements, with phone calls between us highlighted (past 18 months).
21. A separate binder of photos and details of trips we took in 2013 and 2014, and our wedding photos; and flight tickets/itineraries for visiting each other in 2014 (as we were living apart)
22. A separate binder of photos and details of trips we took in 2015, 2016 and 2017; and flight tickets/itineraries for visiting each other in 2015




If you have any questions or concerns regarding our application, please do not hesitate to contact me: uuu, (123)456-7890, abcd@yahoo.com
or my wife
xxx: (987)654-8888, lkajdf@yahoo.com
or at the address below. 

Thank you very much.

 

 Sincerely,

 

 

(sign)

 

uuuuu

abc street,

Apt 222

wwwwwwwww

 

 

Nice list, I noticed you did not include wills or living wills, though not required, they are definitely good documents showing the commingling of the marriage.

 

Also, let us know if they actually accept the separate photo albums.  I have heard stories where items that could not easily be included in a file are returned.  If the photos are easily removed from the binders and included in the file then I imagine you won't have any issues.

 

Good Luck!

[sanmi 1]

54 minutes ago, DrEllaNJ said:

does everyone submit all 18 monthly statements of every single bank account? I was planning to make a selection, like quarterly or so...

I am not sure if 18 months is truly necessary... Also, it depends on your bank. None of my banks provides annual or quarterly statements . But if they do, I will definitely go for the shorter ones. In addition, according to some other people's lists, you may select Jan, Mar., May, etc. every other month statements, or the most recent 3-6 months. It doesn't take much longer for me just to download all my statements, merge them into one file, then print them...

34 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

Nice list, I noticed you did not include wills or living wills, though not required, they are definitely good documents showing the commingling of the marriage.

 

Also, let us know if they actually accept the separate photo albums.  I have heard stories where items that could not easily be included in a file are returned.  If the photos are easily removed from the binders and included in the file then I imagine you won't have any issues.

 

Good Luck!

thanks!! I will keep my progress posted.

[Soup Dragon 104]

2 hours ago, DrEllaNJ said:

does everyone submit all 18 monthly statements of every single bank account? I was planning to make a selection, like quarterly or so...

I submitted for every month (1 checking, 1 savings and 1 credit card) but I know a lot of folks include statements every quarter.  Either way, it shows continuity of co-mingling of finances.   I did it purely to avoid any chance of getting an RFE.  You never know what kind of mood the adjudicator is going to be in on the day of looking at the package!

[Lemon23 400]

I believe bottom line here is that, the more evidences you have the better because no one would like to received RFE letter instead of approval letter right? So sending a lot of evidences would be better so do not limit yourself in sending evidences because our main goal is not to receive RFE.

Edited June 19, 2017 by Lemon23