Getting ready to file i-130 and i-485 - a few last minute questions

[854Turbo 20]

Hi all,

 

I'm getting ready to concurrently file i-130+i-485+i-765 (marriage-based, I'm the beneficiary). Before we file, I wanted to run a few questions by the community to double-check if my understanding is correct:

1. A# number - I have an A number from my F1 EAD card. I know they will issue a new one based on this application, but I've used the current number in every field that the applications ask for it. That won't hurt/delay the application, right?

2. i-765 - I see the form has changed from last year and it has fewer questions. When I applied for my OPT, I included not just my current i-20 form but ALL previous i-20 forms (for the past 10 years) as a way to show I've maintained my status. I'm thinking about doing the same here - attach copies of all i-20s and both of my EAD cards. Good idea?

3. i-693 - I know the validity rule changed to 2-years, but since I'm filing in Minnesota where the process is very slow, even 2 years might not be enough. So we are not sending i-693 along with the initial filing and will wait for the interview notice. Does the notice usually arrive approximately 1 month before the interview date?

4. Copies - I know the instructions say not to send original documents unless directed otherwise. Copies it is then. But what about marriage certificate and birth certificates - do they want just regular copies or certified copies? Specifically, my birth certificate - I have the original translated and certified, but only have one certified copy - if I mail it to them, I can't bring it to the interview with me. What have people done in the past? Send the certified copies of documents?

5. Marriage certificate - should I include a copy of it for each of the applications (i-130 and i-485, so two copies total?)

 

Thank you all in advance! Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[854Turbo 20]

Follow-up question:

 

On all of the forms - what is the best practice for questions that don't apply to you ("other names used," "children or previous spouses) - do you leave them blank or do you type N/A or NONE in every single field?

[eckoin 211]

1 hour ago, 854Turbo said:

Hi all,

 

I'm getting ready to concurrently file i-130+i-485+i-765 (marriage-based, I'm the beneficiary). Before we file, I wanted to run a few questions by the community to double-check if my understanding is correct:

1. A# number - I have an A number from my F1 EAD card. I know they will issue a new one based on this application, but I've used the current number in every field that the applications ask for it. That won't hurt/delay the application, right?

Do they assign a new A#? Someone else can chine in. 

 

1 hour ago, 854Turbo said:

2. i-765 - I see the form has changed from last year and it has fewer questions. When I applied for my OPT, I included not just my current i-20 form but ALL previous i-20 forms (for the past 10 years) as a way to show I've maintained my status. I'm thinking about doing the same here - attach copies of all i-20s and both of my EAD cards. Good idea?

Won't hurt, won't not hurt. Submitting just the current status paperwork is fine in my opinion. But overkill is never really frowned upon

 

1 hour ago, 854Turbo said:

3. i-693 - I know the validity rule changed to 2-years, but since I'm filing in Minnesota where the process is very slow, even 2 years might not be enough. So we are not sending i-693 along with the initial filing and will wait for the interview notice. Does the notice usually arrive approximately 1 month before the interview date?

Yes, with some oddball exceptions here and there. But usually they let you know about a month in advance. You could always just do the medical right after 12 months have passed. 

 

1 hour ago, 854Turbo said:

4. Copies - I know the instructions say not to send original documents unless directed otherwise. Copies it is then. But what about marriage certificate and birth certificates - do they want just regular copies or certified copies? Specifically, my birth certificate - I have the original translated and certified, but only have one certified copy - if I mail it to them, I can't bring it to the interview with me. What have people done in the past? Send the certified copies of documents?

I literally made color photocopies of everything. The staff at Staples told me they're not allowed to make copies for me because the color copies look "too real" and they can't condone that. Had to do it myself. Zero issues. 

 

I have my original birth certificate and certified copy of the marriage certificate. Color copied both and that's it. Translation for my birth certificate was a printout from an online $10 translation service. 

 

1 hour ago, 854Turbo said:

5. Marriage certificate - should I include a copy of it for each of the applications (i-130 and i-485, so two copies total?)

I included mine for I-765 as well. In fact, I included one copy of all important documents (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, driver's license, etc.) with pretty much every form. Not going to hurt. The marriage certificate in my books is basically the one piece of evidence that ties the entire AOS application together, since it's the reason you're applying. 

 

1 hour ago, 854Turbo said:

Thank you all in advance! Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

38 minutes ago, 854Turbo said:

Follow-up question:

 

On all of the forms - what is the best practice for questions that don't apply to you ("other names used," "children or previous spouses) - do you leave them blank or do you type N/A or NONE in every single field?

I filled out the forms in all caps and put N/A where I could. Adobe didn't accept the / in some fields, so I put "None", which stood out since the rest of the form was all caps. Similar concept to putting NONE if the form is not all caps. 

 

It's better not to leave fields blank in case they think you forgot to fill it out. For sections that didn't apply in their entirety, like the interpreter section, I just put N/A in the first question and left the rest blank. 

[854Turbo 20]

9 hours ago, eckoin said:

I literally made color photocopies of everything. The staff at Staples told me they're not allowed to make copies for me because the color copies look "too real" and they can't condone that. Had to do it myself. Zero issues. 

 

I have my original birth certificate and certified copy of the marriage certificate. Color copied both and that's it. Translation for my birth certificate was a printout from an online $10 translation service. 

 

I included mine for I-765 as well. In fact, I included one copy of all important documents (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, driver's license, etc.) with pretty much every form. Not going to hurt. The marriage certificate in my books is basically the one piece of evidence that ties the entire AOS application together, since it's the reason you're applying.

Thank you! This is very helpful. To clarify - you sent a copy of your marriage certificate and just brought the certified copy to the AOS interview?

 

 

One follow up question to you, and everyone else, regarding i-864 the Affidavit of Support. My wife makes just under the threshold so we are supplementing with our joint assets/joint bank accounts. I am not using my income as proof, only our joint bank accounts. Based on my understanding - it sounds like I do not need to file I-864A?

[eckoin 211]

3 hours ago, 854Turbo said:

Thank you! This is very helpful. To clarify - you sent a copy of your marriage certificate and just brought the certified copy to the AOS interview?

Yes, I sent only color copies (not in any way certified or notarized) and brought the originals and certified copies to the interview. Wasn't asked to show them. 

 

3 hours ago, 854Turbo said:

One follow up question to you, and everyone else, regarding i-864 the Affidavit of Support. My wife makes just under the threshold so we are supplementing with our joint assets/joint bank accounts. I am not using my income as proof, only our joint bank accounts. Based on my understanding - it sounds like I do not need to file I-864A?

Someone else can answer better than me. I used my (immigrant) income, and as a household member, and spouse, I did not have to file i-864a. I imagine that using your joint assets would fall under the same umbrella, and I don't see why you would need to file i-864a. But I don't know the intricacies of using joint assets, or assets in general, so I'll let others chime in.