I-130 and I-130a forms - blanks None and N/A confusion

[MrsMalka 2]

Hi everyone 

 

Myself and my husband are about to send off our application packet and we are slightly concerned about the blank spaces on our forms. I have read a lot of conflicting advice regarding whether to leave blank space or to put none or N/A. We are worried that our application may get denied due to blank spaces or by putting the wrong thing in these spaces as it may be classed as incorrectly filed. Please can someone help that has already sent their application off without any problems. We both live overseas so there are certain parts in the address lines that do not apply - do I leave blank or put n/a and also we are not using an interpretor etc so do I leave those sections blank. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[ThomasNC1988 762]

Always follow USCIS instructions. They make the rules so why wouldn't you?

 

Answer all questions fully and accurately. If a question does not apply to you (for example, if you have never been married and the question asks, “Provide the name of your current spouse”), type or print “N/A,” unless otherwise directed. If your answer to a question which requires a numeric response is zero or none (for example, “How many children do you have” or “How many times have you departed the United States”), type or print “None,” unless otherwise directed.

[shumway1756 304]

As mentioned above, I recommend following USCIS's instructions. Some people do leave it blank and they come out ok on the other side, but we've also seen situations where people leave fields blank and get an RFE because the reviewing officer believes it was skipped. Putting "N/A" or "None" (as applicable per instructions) communicates very clearly that you reviewed the question and have declared that it does not apply to you.

[MrsMalka 2]

Thanks guys! Trying to follow the instructions as much as possible, just do not want to make a silly mistake. Our situation is slightly different as we are both living in New Zealand so the address part will have blanks. 

[pushbrk 12,898]

There will be a lot of blanks on your pages.  For one thing, the form itself won't let you type N/A in any of the blanks.  An "applicable" question may have NONE as the answer.  There are places on the form where if you check certain boxes, certain fields are not available to type in.  Use some common sense and you'll be fine.

[MrsMalka 2]

Hi, thanks for that. We are not typing, we are hand writing as this was easier for us. I am using my common sense, although when you are doing something as important as this you can sometimes even question your own sense of common sense. I just thought this forum could help by getting some advice from people that have already been through this very daunting process. Thanks guys