OPT STEM AOS - passport/visa/entry stamp/certified copies/W-2

[vaue 5]

Hi all, 

 

If this question has already been asked and answered, I apologize, I couldn't find a discussion specifically regarding this. I'm currently on my OPT STEM (expiration date Jan/2021) and will be submitting my AOS (through marriage) packet by the end of this month. These questions are for forms I-485, I-765, I-131, and I-130.

 

1. Do I need to include certified copies of our marriage certificate? Or just a photocopy of the certified copy? 
2. I've had 3 passports (and 2 visa renewals) over the years while on my F-1 status (both as a student and student on initial OPT), should I include the copies of all of those visas, passports, and entry stamps? Or just the most recent one?
3. I-94 travel history - do I need to include that? Or is the most recent I-94 sufficient?

 

For the form I-864:

1. Because we will be filing before the tax return season ends, would the W-2 from last year be okay as the 'most recent' one? And then we can bring the new 2019 W-2/pay stub to our interview?

Thank you!

 

Edited January 14, 2020 by vaue

[elizabethquestion 13]

Hi there,

 

I'm in the same boat as you, so will try to answer your questions based on my own research so far. Others will certainly be more knowledgeable than me! 

 

1. Do I need to include certified copies of our marriage certificate? Or just a photocopy of the certified copy?  I was researching this earlier and it sounds like a photocopy is fine for the application, just make sure you have an original certified certificate to bring to the interview.
2. I've had 3 passports (and 2 visa renewals) over the years while on my F-1 status (both as a student and student on initial OPT), should I include the copies of all of those visas, passports, and entry stamps? Or just the most recent one? Not sure about this.
3. I-94 travel history - do I need to include that? Or is the most recent I-94 sufficient? As far as I know, it's only your most recent entry that's needed.

 

For the form I-864:

1. Because we will be filing before the tax return season ends, would the W-2 from last year be okay as the 'most recent' one? And then we can bring the new 2019 W-2/pay stub to our interview? Your most recent tax transcript will be from 2018, but you could include your 2019 W-2s in the application (you should have them by end of month). At the interview, they will ask for your 2019 transcripts.

 

Good luck with your application!

[igoyougoduke 1,676]

36 minutes ago, vaue said:

Hi all, 

 

If this question has already been asked and answered, I apologize, I couldn't find a discussion specifically regarding this. I'm currently on my OPT STEM (expiration date Jan/2021) and will be submitting my AOS (through marriage) packet by the end of this month. These questions are for forms I-485, I-765, I-131, and I-130.

 

1. Do I need to include certified copies of our marriage certificate? Or just a photocopy of the certified copy? 
2. I've had 3 passports (and 2 visa renewals) over the years while on my F-1 status (both as a student and student on initial OPT), should I include the copies of all of those visas, passports, and entry stamps? Or just the most recent one?
3. I-94 travel history - do I need to include that? Or is the most recent I-94 sufficient?

 

For the form I-864:

1. Because we will be filing before the tax return season ends, would the W-2 from last year be okay as the 'most recent' one? And then we can bring the new 2019 W-2/pay stub to our interview?

Thank you!

 

1) Photocopy is good

2) Yes for best case scenario take a copy of every page of EVERY passport you have had 

3) Yes i-94 travel history will show all your entry history. I-94 history is different from I-94 

 

I-864: You must provide either an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) transcript or a photocopy from your own records of your Federal individual income tax return for the most recent tax year.  

[AffableAndy 107]

I had 2 F-1s (undergrad/grad school) and a B1/B2 in two passports; for my AOS I only provided my most recent F-1 and the passport it was in. However, at the interview the IO did ask to see both I-20s. I also provided my most recent I-94 (though I hadn't left the US since starting grad school).

 

For the I-864 my spouse sent his past few tax returns in; we provided a joint one at the interview.