If the I-130 is filed online and I-485 is filed on paper, is it still filed concurrently?

[mbssss 108]

If you file the I-130 and I-130A online and the I-485 (including EAD and AP) on paper, is it still considered to be filed concurrently i.e. the EAD and AP fee is still waived?

 

We are trying to figure out if it is better to just file all of it on paper or do it online and on paper.

 

 

[SalishSea 17,835]

I have seen recommendations here on VJ to send everything together (paper filing), because of potential delays or errors on the part of USCIS if they are ultimately unable to match up the forms together.

[juancarlos 126]

4 hours ago, mbssss said:

If you file the I-130 and I-130A online and the I-485 (including EAD and AP) on paper, is it still considered to be filed concurrently i.e. the EAD and AP fee is still waived?

 

We are trying to figure out if it is better to just file all of it on paper or do it online and on paper.

 

 

Yes, it is considered concurrent filing but for that you must attach the I-797 that you receive when you submit the I-130 online.

[mbssss 108]

43 minutes ago, juancarlos said:

Yes, it is considered concurrent filing but for that you must attach the I-797 that you receive when you submit the I-130 online.

I see. I just wanted to make sure. Did you do it? if so, did you find it more convenient?

[juancarlos 126]

28 minutes ago, mbssss said:

I see. I just wanted to make sure. Did you do it? if so, did you find it more convenient?

No, I considered to do it, and I even asked here in VJ but finally I just mailed it together with the I-485, etc etc

 

Try to find post where they discuss about the online option, it seems really convenient.

Edited August 3, 2020 by juancarlos

[wagecuck3 31]

On 8/3/2020 at 2:45 PM, mbssss said:

If you file the I-130 and I-130A online and the I-485 (including EAD and AP) on paper, is it still considered to be filed concurrently i.e. the EAD and AP fee is still waived?

 

We are trying to figure out if it is better to just file all of it on paper or do it online and on paper.

 

 

Technically, that would not be concurrent filing of the I-130 and the I-485. It would be filing the I-485 based on the already-pending I-130. The difference is not really relevant, though.

 

Regarding I-765 and form I-131, it is again not relevant whether the filing was concurrent or not. You can either file these forms at the same time as the I-485, or you can file them after you have a receipt number for the I-485. In both cases there will be no fee (however, the new USCIS fee schedule that will take in effect in October will change this).

[pigrew 34]

On 8/3/2020 at 7:31 PM, mbssss said:

I see. I just wanted to make sure. Did you do it? if so, did you find it more convenient?

We filed an online I-130. It was much much more convenient than the paper forms. The receipt number was issued immediately, but it took like 12 hours to get the official-looking PDF (which is formatted slightly differently than the paper one). The paper one came about a week later.  For the I-485, we submitted a print of the online PDF notice.

 

The online-submitted I-130 form has a few typos in it (like reolction instead of relocation at the top of the first page). I guess their typos don't matter?

 

The first I-485 we submitted was rejected with about three days of processing, for an outdated I-864 form. The second submission took about three weeks to be accepted.

[mbssss 108]

3 hours ago, pigrew said:

We filed an online I-130. It was much much more convenient than the paper forms. The receipt number was issued immediately, but it took like 12 hours to get the official-looking PDF (which is formatted slightly differently than the paper one). The paper one came about a week later.  For the I-485, we submitted a print of the online PDF notice.

 

The online-submitted I-130 form has a few typos in it (like reolction instead of relocation at the top of the first page). I guess their typos don't matter?

 

The first I-485 we submitted was rejected with about three days of processing, for an outdated I-864 form. The second submission took about three weeks to be accepted.

Awesome. We might go ahead and file that online then. Did you put the number on the I-485 where it asks for number of the underlying petition as well? 

[mbssss 108]

23 hours ago, wagecuck3 said:

Technically, that would not be concurrent filing of the I-130 and the I-485. It would be filing the I-485 based on the already-pending I-130. The difference is not really relevant, though.

 

Regarding I-765 and form I-131, it is again not relevant whether the filing was concurrent or not. You can either file these forms at the same time as the I-485, or you can file them after you have a receipt number for the I-485. In both cases there will be no fee (however, the new USCIS fee schedule that will take in effect in October will change this).

I see. So I suppose it does not matter too much then but we might go ahead and the I-130 online then. And we will do it before October for sure to avoid the extra fees. 

[E_pluribus_unum 73]

I filed the I-130 online and the I-485 on paper. I made a post a post here where I am updating as it goes through the process: 

The online version is fairly new so many will tell you it is better to file both on paper and this is the main reason why I chose to file the I-130 online. To kind of test the difference if there is any. 

Some positive points:

1) One less packet to mail which has a lot of paper required. Save trees and postage money

 

2) The online form checks for errors and guides you step-by-step. It is almost impossible to file it incorrectly

 

3) You can pay online and you receive the I-797 online within a day. From then on, any new notices are also received online (and by mail)

 

4) After October 2, the online form will have a lower fee than the paper form. I think USCIS maybe did this to push people to file online instead. Less work for you and less work for them. 

 

You can still file the I-485 at the same time as the I-130 but you have to wait to receive the PDF I-797 for the I-130. I did this and sent the PDF I-797 with my I-485 packet and all were accepted. 

 

 

 

 

[lunajo 1]

On 8/5/2020 at 11:19 AM, pigrew said:

We filed an online I-130. It was much much more convenient than the paper forms. The receipt number was issued immediately, but it took like 12 hours to get the official-looking PDF (which is formatted slightly differently than the paper one). The paper one came about a week later.  For the I-485, we submitted a print of the online PDF notice.

 

The online-submitted I-130 form has a few typos in it (like reolction instead of relocation at the top of the first page). I guess their typos don't matter?

 

The first I-485 we submitted was rejected with about three days of processing, for an outdated I-864 form. The second submission took about three weeks to be accepted.

 

For this receipt number and PDF, is this considered as the NOA1? 

[pigrew 34]

4 minutes ago, lunajo said:

 

For this receipt number and PDF, is this considered as the NOA1? 

We used the PDF as evidence for the I-485 and it was accepted, so I'd say it is considered as a NOA1. The notice date was the same as the paper copy we received a few days later. The email receipt might be good enough, but since it doesn't have barcodes, I wouldn't submit it as I-485 evidence.

 

For many applications, the I-485 NOA1 is more important than the I-130 NOA1. What we received by email was the I-130 NOA1.

[Ma Daniel 15]

On 8/3/2020 at 6:31 PM, mbssss said:

I see. I just wanted to make sure. Did you do it? if so, did you find it more convenient?

My sister did it and it was more convenient I must say

[lunajo 1]

Not sure if anyone will know the answer to this: 

 

I am currently in the US already with my fiance with is US citizen. We are planning to get married and start the AOS process. 

 

If I submit I-130 form online and get the receipt number/ NOA1, does that mean that my application has been accepted and that I can stay in US to complete the AOS process?

[mbssss 108]

34 minutes ago, Ma Daniel said:

My sister did it and it was more convenient I must say

Awesome! We'll probably end up filing it online then.