E-filed I-130 and mailed in I-485

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

Hey guys,

I am not really making this post to ask a question but provide my experience with this and update as I go. Others can put their experience if they would like as well. 

Anywho...I e-filed the I-130 on June 9, 2020 and on June 10, 2020, I received a notice saying the application was accepted and is being processed with a priority date of June 9, 2020. I was also able to download a PDF version of the I-797 immediately. USCIS also mailed a copy of the notice and I received that on June 15, 2020. Also, I live in California but it looks like the efiled form is being processed at the Texas Service Center.

I did it this way because I was still waiting on some documents for the I-944 and wanted to get the process started. Also, because I was able to upload all of the documents for the I-131 online and even pay the fee online so it was one less packet to mail and worry about. 

 

Another reason I did it this way is because I couldn't find many threads of people who have done it this way so there are not many experiences. Also, you can still file the I-485 in Chicago "concurrently" but you have to send it in with a copy of the I-797 notice for the I-131 showing it was accepted. 

I will be sending the I-485 shortly and will update with what USCIS says. I have a cover letter and a copy of the I-797 near the top so they know I've already filed the I-130.

 

So, I will update this thread to see what happens and if you've done it this way as well, maybe put your experience with this. 

Thank you, 

[Quarknase 1,072]

I assume you mean I-130 (you stated I-131 a couple of times, which can’t be filed online).

 

We also filed the I-130 online back in November when it was brand new and I was super happy we did. As you stated - receipt notice was available a day later, with the submission date as PD. How convenient.

Our I-130 was approved in early March (after an RFE end of January). The timeline was quick (only 107 days). We requested an expedite via mail in early December - we never received a response, but the short processing time (107 days from submission to approval, with an RFE that took us 30 days to respond to) makes me think our expedite request was granted.

The approval notice was also available the day after approval, which was very exciting  The paper approval came in the mail 3-4 weeks later, but who cares - at that point I knew every single sentence inside and out.

We’re now at NVC stage and not adjusting from within the country so I am unable to share experience regarding concurrent filing. But I applaud your approach, since it saves at least some paper (environmental protection thinking). We would have done the same, if we were in the same situation.

Good luck on your journey!

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

2 minutes ago, Quarknase said:

I assume you mean I-130 (you stated I-131 a couple of times, which can’t be filed online).

 

We also filed the I-130 online back in November when it was brand new and I was super happy we did. As you stated - receipt notice was available a day later, with the submission date as PD. How convenient.

Our I-130 was approved in early March (after an RFE end of January). The timeline was quick (only 107 days). We requested an expedite via mail in early December - we never received a response, but the short processing time (107 days from submission to approval, with an RFE that took us 30 days to respond to) makes me think our expedite request was granted.

The approval notice was also available the day after approval, which was very exciting  The paper approval came in the mail 3-4 weeks later, but who cares - at that point I knew every single sentence inside and out.

We’re now at NVC stage and not adjusting from within the country so I am unable to share experience regarding concurrent filing. But I applaud your approach, since it saves at least some paper (environmental protection thinking). We would have done the same, if we were in the same situation.

Good luck on your journey!

Thank you for providing your experience! Yes I did mean I-130 but got it confused with I-131  . Since the online version of this form is new, I am hoping that people can use this to kinda get an idea of the difference (if any) of filing the I-130 online vs sending it in with the I-485. 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

Thanks for willing to keep us updating and thus willing to help out others in the future. 

[JACKP 56]

19 hours ago, E_pluribus_unum said:

Hey guys,

I am not really making this post to ask a question but provide my experience with this and update as I go. Others can put their experience if they would like as well. 

Anywho...I e-filed the I-130 on June 9, 2020 and on June 10, 2020, I received a notice saying the application was accepted and is being processed with a priority date of June 9, 2020. I was also able to download a PDF version of the I-797 immediately. USCIS also mailed a copy of the notice and I received that on June 15, 2020. Also, I live in California but it looks like the efiled form is being processed at the Texas Service Center.

I did it this way because I was still waiting on some documents for the I-944 and wanted to get the process started. Also, because I was able to upload all of the documents for the I-131 online and even pay the fee online so it was one less packet to mail and worry about. 

 

Another reason I did it this way is because I couldn't find many threads of people who have done it this way so there are not many experiences. Also, you can still file the I-485 in Chicago "concurrently" but you have to send it in with a copy of the I-797 notice for the I-131 showing it was accepted. 

I will be sending the I-485 shortly and will update with what USCIS says. I have a cover letter and a copy of the I-797 near the top so they know I've already filed the I-130.

 

So, I will update this thread to see what happens and if you've done it this way as well, maybe put your experience with this. 

Thank you, 

Very similar situation , but I filed I-130 Paper version in End of FEB and then send the I-485 Mid May .

Edited June 17, 2020 by JACKP

[MariMM 3]

I also filled out the Form I-130 online and paid the fee on May 31. I sent the whole package with all the other forms in the day after, June 1. Two weeks later they sent me back the package with all the forms and documents... because I didn't know about the I-944 and the I-485 was outdated (even the expiration date was 2021). 🤦‍♀️ They also refused the I-765 because it expired on May 31 and I mailed the day after, but until now they didn't update a new form, so I'm waiting.

 

Now I'm collecting all the evidences for I-944, I will fill out again the I-485 and I-765, and then send them back.

[juancarlos 126]

Interesting! Thank you for this thread. So two questions: if you fill out I-130 online:

 

1) you said you received a I-797 in PDF and also in your mail some days after that. Do you have to send the original one with your I-485 package or printing the PDF is valid?

 

2) in the online version, how do you submit proof of bona fide marriage and all that? Are you able to upload PDFs files or images? I am just curious to know how the online process works.

 

Thank you! I might consider to fill this one online and save some paper!

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

11 hours ago, juancarlos said:

Interesting! Thank you for this thread. So two questions: if you fill out I-130 online:

 

1) you said you received a I-797 in PDF and also in your mail some days after that. Do you have to send the original one with your I-485 package or printing the PDF is valid?

 

2) in the online version, how do you submit proof of bona fide marriage and all that? Are you able to upload PDFs files or images? I am just curious to know how the online process works.

 

Thank you! I might consider to fill this one online and save some paper!

 

No problem!

1) I sent the downloaded PDF I-797 which doesn't look much different from the one they mailed. The PDF has a bar-code and also the tracking number, so they should be able to find it and validate it. I sent my packet the other day so I am waiting for the I-485 to be accepted in order to update this post again. 

2) This is actually one of the cool parts about the online form...Near the final part of the form, you will get to a page where it asks you to upload the evidence. The cool part is that the page is separated into sections for the different evidence required and it tells you exactly what you need to upload prior to submitting. You also get an additional page to upload any additional evidence like a DNA test if needed. 

 

Another cool thing about the online form is that it checks for errors. Prior to submitting the form, you will get to a page that checks all of your inputs to make sure there are errors and nothing that would stand out. Also, even after you submit the form, you are allowed to upload additional evidence at any time; however, there is a disclaimer that says any additional evidence uploaded does not have to be taken into consideration by the USCIS officer. 

 

Hopefully soon they will make the I-485 and all relevant forms eforms so we can save trees, time, money, and stress. 

[juancarlos 126]

Thank you so much for your answer!! I read in other posts in which people say sometimes you cannot fill out some parts because you cannot write special characters like N/A, D/S, Present (in dates), or other information like this.

 

What is your experience? Could you fill out properly all the blanks without having issues or having a hard time to provide specific information?

 

Thank you, very helpful post

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

20 minutes ago, juancarlos said:

Thank you so much for your answer!! I read in other posts in which people say sometimes you cannot fill out some parts because you cannot write special characters like N/A, D/S, Present (in dates), or other information like this.

 

What is your experience? Could you fill out properly all the blanks without having issues or having a hard time to provide specific information?

 

Thank you, very helpful post

 

 

So you actually do not have to write "NA" in any sections. If a section or question does not pertain to you or your situation, you simply skip it and the system will automatically assume it is not applicable. Also, you do not need to put "Present" either because you can just leave it blank. You may get an error message saying that you forgot to fill out the field, but the system will still allow you to move on to the next page and eventually submit the form. 

[juancarlos 126]

Ok thanks! I'll take a look.

 

Last question: I already did an USCIS account... can I use my account to fill out the I-130? I am the beneficiary and the I-130 is supposed to be filled out by the petitioner (my US wife). She does not have an USCIS account... that's why. Can we use mine?

 

 

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

4 minutes ago, juancarlos said:

Ok thanks! I'll take a look.

 

Last question: I already did an USCIS account... can I use my account to fill out the I-130? I am the beneficiary and the I-130 is supposed to be filled out by the petitioner (my US wife). She does not have an USCIS account... that's why. Can we use mine?

 

 

I may actually not be able to answer this one. 

So The form will ask for the petitioner information and the beneficiary information similar to the paper form but since you are not physically signing the form, you have to "esign" it. I am not sure if USCIS will take into consideration who the account is registered to vs who esigned the form. Maybe you can create a separate account for your spouse or have her create one and you can complete the form? 

[juancarlos 126]

Yeah, I might do that. Thanks

 

Also I remembered that I (the beneficiary) am supposed to fill out the form I-130A too. Is it also available online or you just submit it with the I-485 package?

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

Just now, juancarlos said:

Yeah, I might do that. Thanks

 

Also I remembered that I (the beneficiary) am supposed to fill out the form I-130A too. Is it also available online or you just submit it with the I-485 package?

You will have to download the I-130A form, fill it out, sign it, then upload it. Near the end of the online I-130, you will be asked to upload the form. If the beneficiary is outside of the US, the form does not have to be signed. If they are inside the US, be sure to sign. 

[juancarlos 126]

Fantastic! Thank you so much!