AOS -Do we need a cover letter?

[adamj7 43]

Hi all, We've filled out the i-485 (with i-864), i-765 and i-131 forms and done all the photo copying etc that goes along with it. My question is; Do we need to write a cover letter for the whole package? Is it a good idea to just write out who we are and what we're applying for etc? Or is that a bit of a waste of time and not needed?

 

Thanks in advance!

[K1visaHopeful 2,814]

2 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

Hi all, We've filled out the i-485 (with i-864), i-765 and i-131 forms and done all the photo copying etc that goes along with it. My question is; Do we need to write a cover letter for the whole package? Is it a good idea to just write out who we are and what we're applying for etc? Or is that a bit of a waste of time and not needed?

 

Thanks in advance!

I would highly recommend writing cover letters/table of contents for EACH form, not just the entire package.

The reason? The forms are not processed as a package and are shipped to different offices eventually. Once the I765 and I131are removed from the package and sent to their adjudicator, they will no longer have the "package" cover letter attached. If by chance the adjudicator loses a part of your form's documents they can alway look to the cover letter for each form to see that you did indeed send what they are looking for and will know to search for it if in fact it is on their desk somewhere. If it did not have a cover letter they could just assume you did not send it and send you and RFE/RFIE.

[Just Paul 4,595]

Think of the EAD and AP as separate packages.  They all end up in different places.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

22 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

Hi all, We've filled out the i-485 (with i-864), i-765 and i-131 forms and done all the photo copying etc that goes along with it. My question is; Do we need to write a cover letter for the whole package? Is it a good idea to just write out who we are and what we're applying for etc? Or is that a bit of a waste of time and not needed?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

My theory is your cover letter never makes it out of the mail room. The contractors put together a standard folder, deposit your check, launch the receipt before shipping out. The adjudicators would never see it if that is who you want to impress. 

 

 I quit doing cover letters and got approved for my 10 yr card and naturalization quite easily with no RFEs or delays.

[adamj7 43]

12 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

 

My theory is your cover letter never makes it out of the mail room. The contractors put together a standard folder, deposit your check, launch the receipt before shipping out. The adjudicators would never see it if that is who you want to impress. 

 

 I quit doing cover letters and got approved for my 10 yr card and naturalization quite easily with no RFEs or delays.

Okay - so maybe (as K1visaHopeful says) I should think of it more as a table of contents so things don't get lost. And I'll do one for each 'packet'

 

Thanks everyone - I'll type them up and attach them! You guys are great!

[Jessica Donahue 34]

17 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

Okay - so maybe (as K1visaHopeful says) I should think of it more as a table of contents so things don't get lost. And I'll do one for each 'packet'

 

Thanks everyone - I'll type them up and attach them! You guys are great!

 

I agree with the idea of including one for each section.  Also, think of the cover letter, as well as the descriptions of your photos, as a way to connect the narrative of your relationship.  it is a little extra space to emphasize or clarify what you are submitting and why, on top of adding the organizational element.

 

[adamj7 43]

17 hours ago, Jessica Donahue said:

 

I agree with the idea of including one for each section.  Also, think of the cover letter, as well as the descriptions of your photos, as a way to connect the narrative of your relationship.  it is a little extra space to emphasize or clarify what you are submitting and why, on top of adding the organizational element.

 

So I should be including photos of our relationship in the adjustment of status packet? I didn't see that anywhere

[Jessica Donahue 34]

6 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

So I should be including photos of our relationship in the adjustment of status packet? I didn't see that anywhere

Hi @adamj7, don't worry, it's not required, and you will not receive an RFE for not including this info.  However, after researching on vj, I ended upfront-loading all of our packages with photos, mail, evidence of trips, etc. and had good results. 

 

From what I read, most people only do this if they expect their relationship to be in doubt for some reason.  I did it because it gave me the illusion of greater control.

 

I wish you lots of luck with your process!

 

 

 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

27 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

So I should be including photos of our relationship in the adjustment of status packet? I didn't see that anywhere

Take them to your interview as well as anything you acquire in both names between now and interview...bank accounts, leases, credit cards, utility bills. 

[D&D_NYC 58]

I had three cover letters -- one for the overall package, one for the I-130, and one for the I-485 -- mostly because it served as a sort of table of contents/checklist for me to be sure I had included all of the evidence and supporting documents I intended to. It's not totally necessary, but it made me feel more confident in assembling my own package.