New to AOS : F1 to Green Card via marriage. Questions!

[elizabethquestion 13]

Hi all,

 

My fiancé and I are just getting started on the adjustment of status process. As I go through the step-by-step guide (https://www.visajourney.com/guides/i130-spouse-inside-usa/), I have a few questions that I'm hoping this forum can help answer. 

 

Overall

1. I am hoping to complete this process (including getting married, that's on the list!) by the end of January. Is this reasonable? 

 

Form I-130

1. Do we have to fill out Form I-130A? It seems like a lot of repeated information that is covered in other forms.

 

Form I-485

1. The fees for this form are $1,140 (filing fee) + $85 (biometrics). The fee for the I-130 fee is $535. Is this correct? Would we write separate checks for each form or one check that covers everything?

2. This package asks for a copy of the intending immigrant's (that's me) passport, including entry stamps. Do they mean all entry stamps, or just my most recent one? 

3. a) According to the guide, this form also includes I-693, I-864, I-765 and I-131. From what I understand, I do not have to complete I-693 (medical exam) at this time. Is that correct? 

b) I currently have an EAD through my F-1 OPT. I only completed I-765 but received both work and travel authorization. Do I have to complete I-765 AND I-131 to receive travel authorization this time?

 

Form I-864

1. My fiancé makes just over the poverty limit, and will have an employer letter and paystubs to demonstrate this. The form states that if the sponsor meets or exceeds the poverty limit, no additional information is needed. However, I feel like our case would be bolstered by including additional information. Should I include the following?

a) My salary. I make 75K at my current job, which I have through OPT. I've read on these forums that USCIS doesn't typically accept OPT employment. However, the form only says that the intending immigrant's job can be included if it will continue once they receive work authorization. I can get a letter from my employer stating this, and that it will be permanent, full-time, etc. Should I include it?

b) Assets. I have about 5K in US savings and an additional ~10K in savings in my home country. Should I include this? If so, do I have to convert my savings to USD or just share the bank statements as they are?

 

I know that's a lot of questions - I appreciate any help you can give! Happy new year!

 

[elizabethquestion 13]

One more question: is my "USCIS Online Account Number" the number that's on my F-1 EAD? Or do I not have one?

[PP31 53]

4 hours ago, elizabethquestion said:

Hi all,

 

My fiancé and I are just getting started on the adjustment of status process. As I go through the step-by-step guide (https://www.visajourney.com/guides/i130-spouse-inside-usa/), I have a few questions that I'm hoping this forum can help answer. 

 

Overall

1. I am hoping to complete this process (including getting married, that's on the list!) by the end of January. Is this reasonable?  - Yes it is resonable. I got married and filed my application within a month. But be prepared to spend a lot of time doing this because it is time-consuming and you want to verify things a million times just to make sure you don't make mistakes

 

Form I-130

1. Do we have to fill out Form I-130A? It seems like a lot of repeated information that is covered in other forms. - I-130A is not optional- its mandatory required by the USCIS when you file a petition specifically for your spouse

 

Form I-485

1. The fees for this form are $1,140 (filing fee) + $85 (biometrics). The fee for the I-130 fee is $535. Is this correct? Would we write separate checks for each form or one check that covers everything? - This is up to you. I've seen people do it both ways and it was accepted by USCIS.  I wrote separate checks and attached them to their respective forms.

2. This package asks for a copy of the intending immigrant's (that's me) passport, including entry stamps. Do they mean all entry stamps, or just my most recent one? - All entry stamps, approvals of visa, any visa related documents which prove your lawful presence here

3. a) According to the guide, this form also includes I-693, I-864, I-765 and I-131. From what I understand, I do not have to complete I-693 (medical exam) at this time. Is that correct? - That is correct. According to the recent changes in rules I-693 is valid for Two years so might as well get it done with so you don't scramble in the last minute - reduce any delays as you possibly can

b) I currently have an EAD through my F-1 OPT. I only completed I-765 but received both work and travel authorization. Do I have to complete I-765 AND I-131 to receive travel authorization this time?- It will be better for you if you complete I-765 and I-131 because your OPT could expire before you get your Green Card or you could have issues with OPT extension. You never know - so my advice would be to simply get it done so you always have a back-up.

 

Form I-864

1. My fiancé makes just over the poverty limit, and will have an employer letter and paystubs to demonstrate this. The form states that if the sponsor meets or exceeds the poverty limit, no additional information is needed. However, I feel like our case would be bolstered by including additional information. Should I include the following? - I don't think you'll lose anything by submitting documents related to your salary. Include everything that you possibly can would again be my suggestion. The only thing I am unsure of is your savings in your home country - I dont know what the criteria for that is with respect to taxes, legality etc.

a) My salary. I make 75K at my current job, which I have through OPT. I've read on these forums that USCIS doesn't typically accept OPT employment. However, the form only says that the intending immigrant's job can be included if it will continue once they receive work authorization. I can get a letter from my employer stating this, and that it will be permanent, full-time, etc. Should I include it?

b) Assets. I have about 5K in US savings and an additional ~10K in savings in my home country. Should I include this? If so, do I have to convert my savings to USD or just share the bank statements as they are?

 

I know that's a lot of questions - I appreciate any help you can give! Happy new year!