RATE MY PACKAGE!! (About to file for AOS from F1)

[oneoftheunderdogs 86]

Hi all,

 

my wife and I are about to file our application package for AOS from F1 (for me), just waiting on the last couple of documents to come in. In the meantime, here is what we are planning to send to USCIS, any input on what we might be missing would be greatly appreciated! We will be filing forms 130,130A,485,864,944,765, and 131 concurrently.

 

Cover Letter

 

I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
    — filled out form I-130
    — filled out form I-130A
    — Check for $535.00
    — fill out form G-1145 (E-notification)
    — 2 Passport photos EACH (with name printed on back)
    — Petitioner's birth certificate
    — Beneficiary's birth certificate (copy of original AND translation)
    — Copy of petitioner's passport (all pages)
    — Copy of beneficiary’s passport (biographic page)
    — Copy of marriage certificate
    — I-94 arrival record
    — beneficiary's passport showing stamp from last entry to US
 

Evidence of bona fide marriage:

    — Joint bank account statements
    — Lease agreement
    — copies of checks showing rent paid to landlord since 08/2020 (just signed a retroactive lease with our landlord; he is the old Alaskan type who doesn't usually like paperwork)
    — Electricity bills showing petitioner’s and beneficiary’s names
    — Electric company application for joint membership
    — Renter’s insurance policy showing both names on the policy
    — Copies of driver’s licenses showing joint address
    — Joint car titles for both cars
    — Petitioner’s retirement listing beneficiary as beneficiary
    — Emergency contact info from employer’s HR system for both petitioner and beneficiary
    — ISP account screen grab showing both as users
    — ISP sample bill
    — joint Costco membership
    — Photos form 2019 — 2021, including wedding photos (most of these are selfies, due to COVID we didn't really hang out with a lot of folks last year.)
    — Instagram story screenshots from 2019 – 2021
    
I-485: Adjustment of status

    — filled out form I-485
    — Check for $1,140
    — Check for $85
    — fill out form G-1145 (E-notification)
    — I-94 arrival record
    — beneficiary’s passport showing stamps of every time he entered the US
    — F1 visa page
    — two passport photos of beneficiary only
    — beneficiary’s passport (biographic page)
    — copy of beneficiary's birth certificate (plus translation)
    — copies of beneficiary’s 2018 — 2020 tax returns and W2’s to prove employment
    — copy of marriage certificate
    — I-94 history from CBP.gov website
    — copy of form I-20 (issued 2017)
    — copy of updated I-20 showing city of birth (issued 04/2020)
    — form I-693 Medical examination (bring to interview, appointment on 03/29)

 

I-864: Affidavit of Support
    — filled out form I-864
    — petitioner’s three most recent tax transcripts
    — petitioner’s last six month’s pay stubs
    — copy of petitioner’s passport biographic page
    — copy of petitioner’s birth certificate
    — copy of marriage certificate
 

I-944: Affidavit of Self-Sufficiency
    — filled out form I-944
    — copy of beneficiary’s birth certificate
    — copy of beneficiary’s passport biographic page
    — copy of petitioner’s birth certificate
    — copy of petitioner’s passport biographic page
    — copy of marriage certificate
    — petitioner's IRS 2020 transcript
    — beneficiary's IRS 2019 transcript (2020 taxes have not been filed yet, due to having to file a paper tax return)
    — copies of BOTH social security cards
    — beneficiary’s credit report
    — beneficiary’s credit score
    — Credit card statement showing CC debt
    — Evidence of Health Insurance for beneficiary (including policy showing annual deductible)
    — High school diploma (translated AND equivalency certified)
    — Copies of Bachelor and Master diplomas (translated AND equivalency  certified)
    — Copy of Toefl certificate of English proficiency

 

I-765: Application for Employment Authorization
    — filled out form I-765
    — file with I-485
    — copy of beneficiary’s social security card
    — copy of beneficiary’s passport biographic page
    — copy of beneficiary’s birth certificate (translated)
    — I-94 arrival record
    — copy of beneficiary’s passport showing stamp of recent arrival in US
    — copy of current form I-20
    — two passport photos of beneficiary only

 

I-131: Application for Advanced Parole
    — filled out form I-131
    — copy of beneficiary’s passport biographic page
    — copy of beneficiary’s F1 visa
    — I-94 arrival record
    — two passport photos of beneficiary only

 

 

There it is. I know in the instructions for some of the forms it says that I do not need to provide multiple copies of the same documents (Tax returns, birth certificates, etc.), but since I don't know exactly how the package might be split up I erred on the side of caution and will be submitting copies for each form. Bad idea?

Please let me know if there is anything else you can think of, that I should be submitting!

 

Thank you all!

[bklyn24601 17]

Does I-864 require 3 most recent tax transcripts or tax returns?

 

"A copy of your individual Federal income tax return, including W-2s for the most recent tax year, or a statement and/or evidence describing why you were not required to file. "

 

I'm trying to figure out which one i need to submit.. 

 

 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

6 hours ago, bklyn24601 said:

Does I-864 require 3 most recent tax transcripts or tax returns?

 

"A copy of your individual Federal income tax return, including W-2s for the most recent tax year, or a statement and/or evidence describing why you were not required to file. "

 

I'm trying to figure out which one i need to submit.. 

 

 

Tax returns. We sent transcripts and got RFEd

[Rocio0010 5,579]

On 2/22/2021 at 11:50 PM, oneoftheundergods said:

Hi all,

 

my wife and I are about to file our application package for AOS from F1 (for me), just waiting on the last couple of documents to come in. In the meantime, here is what we are planning to send to USCIS, any input on what we might be missing would be greatly appreciated! We will be filing forms 130,130A,485,864,944,765, and 131 concurrently.

 

Cover Letter

 

I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
    — filled out form I-130
    — filled out form I-130A
    — Check for $535.00
    — fill out form G-1145 (E-notification)
    — 2 Passport photos EACH (with name printed on back)
    — Petitioner's birth certificate
    — Beneficiary's birth certificate (copy of original AND translation)
    — Copy of petitioner's passport (all pages)
    — Copy of beneficiary’s passport (biographic page)
    — Copy of marriage certificate
    — I-94 arrival record
    — beneficiary's passport showing stamp from last entry to US
 

Evidence of bona fide marriage:

    — Joint bank account statements
    — Lease agreement
    — copies of checks showing rent paid to landlord since 08/2020 (just signed a retroactive lease with our landlord; he is the old Alaskan type who doesn't usually like paperwork)
    — Electricity bills showing petitioner’s and beneficiary’s names
    — Electric company application for joint membership
    — Renter’s insurance policy showing both names on the policy
    — Copies of driver’s licenses showing joint address
    — Joint car titles for both cars
    — Petitioner’s retirement listing beneficiary as beneficiary
    — Emergency contact info from employer’s HR system for both petitioner and beneficiary
    — ISP account screen grab showing both as users
    — ISP sample bill
    — joint Costco membership
    — Photos form 2019 — 2021, including wedding photos (most of these are selfies, due to COVID we didn't really hang out with a lot of folks last year.)
    — Instagram story screenshots from 2019 – 2021
    
I-485: Adjustment of status

    — filled out form I-485
    — Check for $1,140
    — Check for $85
    — fill out form G-1145 (E-notification)
    — I-94 arrival record
    — beneficiary’s passport showing stamps of every time he entered the US
    — F1 visa page
    — two passport photos of beneficiary only
    — beneficiary’s passport (biographic page)
    — copy of beneficiary's birth certificate (plus translation)
    — copies of beneficiary’s 2018 — 2020 tax returns and W2’s to prove employment
    — copy of marriage certificate
    — I-94 history from CBP.gov website
    — copy of form I-20 (issued 2017)
    — copy of updated I-20 showing city of birth (issued 04/2020)
    — form I-693 Medical examination (bring to interview, appointment on 03/29)

 

I-864: Affidavit of Support
    — filled out form I-864
    — petitioner’s three most recent tax transcripts
    — petitioner’s last six month’s pay stubs
    — copy of petitioner’s passport biographic page
    — copy of petitioner’s birth certificate
    — copy of marriage certificate
 

I-944: Affidavit of Self-Sufficiency
    — filled out form I-944
    — copy of beneficiary’s birth certificate
    — copy of beneficiary’s passport biographic page
    — copy of petitioner’s birth certificate
    — copy of petitioner’s passport biographic page
    — copy of marriage certificate
    — petitioner's IRS 2020 transcript
    — beneficiary's IRS 2019 transcript (2020 taxes have not been filed yet, due to having to file a paper tax return)
    — copies of BOTH social security cards
    — beneficiary’s credit report
    — beneficiary’s credit score
    — Credit card statement showing CC debt
    — Evidence of Health Insurance for beneficiary (including policy showing annual deductible)
    — High school diploma (translated AND equivalency certified)
    — Copies of Bachelor and Master diplomas (translated AND equivalency  certified)
    — Copy of Toefl certificate of English proficiency

 

I-765: Application for Employment Authorization
    — filled out form I-765
    — file with I-485
    — copy of beneficiary’s social security card
    — copy of beneficiary’s passport biographic page
    — copy of beneficiary’s birth certificate (translated)
    — I-94 arrival record
    — copy of beneficiary’s passport showing stamp of recent arrival in US
    — copy of current form I-20
    — two passport photos of beneficiary only

 

I-131: Application for Advanced Parole
    — filled out form I-131
    — copy of beneficiary’s passport biographic page
    — copy of beneficiary’s F1 visa
    — I-94 arrival record
    — two passport photos of beneficiary only

 

 

There it is. I know in the instructions for some of the forms it says that I do not need to provide multiple copies of the same documents (Tax returns, birth certificates, etc.), but since I don't know exactly how the package might be split up I erred on the side of caution and will be submitting copies for each form. Bad idea?

Please let me know if there is anything else you can think of, that I should be submitting!

 

Thank you all!

OP, did you know that I-944 is no longer required?

[Co6aka 18]

2 hours ago, ra0010 said:

OP, did you know that I-944 is no longer required?

I-944 could be helpful entering evidence of self-sufficiency into the record, which will then be considered at AOS time.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

29 minutes ago, Co6aka said:

I-944 could be helpful entering evidence of self-sufficiency into the record, which will then be considered at AOS time.

Nope. Self- sufficiency will not longer be considered a bar. The I-864 will suffice.

[oneoftheunderdogs 86]

5 hours ago, ra0010 said:

OP, did you know that I-944 is no longer required?

Yes, I submitted like 2 weeks ago. Little unfortunate, because I spent a lot of money getting my diplomas certified, but it is what it is.

[oneoftheunderdogs 86]

5 hours ago, ra0010 said:

Tax returns. We sent transcripts and got RFEd

Instructions say transcript OR tax return. Maybe you filed your taxes jointly?

 

11 hours ago, bklyn24601 said:

Does I-864 require 3 most recent tax transcripts or tax returns?

 

"A copy of your individual Federal income tax return, including W-2s for the most recent tax year, or a statement and/or evidence describing why you were not required to file. "

 

I'm trying to figure out which one i need to submit.. 

 

 

If you do submit tax return(s), make sure to attach ALL necessary forms, W2, 1099, etc with it.

 

Quote from the I-864 instructions:

 

Edited March 13, 2021 by oneoftheundergods
Typo

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 hour ago, oneoftheundergods said:

Instructions say transcript OR tax return. Maybe you filed your taxes jointly?

 

If you do submit tax return(s), make sure to attach ALL necessary forms, W2, 1099, etc with it.

 

Quote from the I-864 instructions:

 

No, my husband was my sponsor and he filed single the year before. We sent tax account transcripts and got RFEd, even though the tax account transcripts have more info than the tax returns.

[oneoftheunderdogs 86]

4 minutes ago, ra0010 said:

No, my husband was my sponsor and he filed single the year before. We sent tax account transcripts and got RFEd, even though the tax account transcripts have more info than the tax returns.

Wow, weird! The instructions are pretty clear on that... Just have to wait and see I guess.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

2 minutes ago, oneoftheundergods said:

Wow, weird! The instructions are pretty clear on that... Just have to wait and see I guess.

Oh no, I already have my gc. They sent a RFE with a bunch of stuff that made no sense. I think that because we sent the tax account transcripts and the IO was not well versed on IRS matters, he sent a RFE for the tax returns, and also for a co-sponsor, suggesting that my husband didn’t meet the poverty line, which was bs. Then they also required a translated birth certificate, which we had previously sent. Whatever. 
We sent the RFE response, which was acknowledged about five days after receipt (this was right before covid). Then we had our interview cancelled, waived, and finally approved. Getting my ROC ready to send in January.

[oneoftheunderdogs 86]

1 minute ago, ra0010 said:

Oh no, I already have my gc. They sent a RFE with a bunch of stuff that made no sense. I think that because we sent the tax account transcripts and the IO was not well versed on IRS matters, he sent a RFE for the tax returns, and also for a co-sponsor, suggesting that my husband didn’t meet the poverty line, which was bs. Then they also required a translated birth certificate, which we had previously sent. Whatever. 
We sent the RFE response, which was acknowledged about five days after receipt (this was right before covid). Then we had our interview cancelled, waived, and finally approved. Getting my ROC ready to send in January.

Ah gotcha. So you got your interview waived? That's awesome! Did they give you a reason by any chance?

[Rocio0010 5,579]

36 minutes ago, oneoftheundergods said:

Ah gotcha. So you got your interview waived? That's awesome! Did they give you a reason by any chance?

Yes, the reason was covid. Our interview was meant to be March 18th, 2020. They called us the day before, as we were literally getting the car packed to go spend the night at a hotel. 
A couple of weeks later they sent us a letter from the FO requesting to mail evidence of a bona fide relationship (we had it prepared for the interview). So we mailed the binder , and got approved roughly ten days after they received it.

[alv&josh 34]

59 minutes ago, ra0010 said:

Yes, the reason was covid. Our interview was meant to be March 18th, 2020. They called us the day before, as we were literally getting the car packed to go spend the night at a hotel. 
A couple of weeks later they sent us a letter from the FO requesting to mail evidence of a bona fide relationship (we had it prepared for the interview). So we mailed the binder , and got approved roughly ten days after they received it.

hi!,

the evidence of bona fide relationship wasn't enough for them? if there is a possibility to say what did you send? Just to be prepared for any RFE in the future. We just mailed our packets some weeks ago.

Thanks!

[Rocio0010 5,579]

48 minutes ago, alv&josh said:

hi!,

the evidence of bona fide relationship wasn't enough for them? if there is a possibility to say what did you send? Just to be prepared for any RFE in the future. We just mailed our packets some weeks ago.

Thanks!

No, it’s not that it wasn’t enough. We just didn’t send too much evidence with our package because you do have the chance to submit evidence at the interview. But our interview got cancelled, so they needed to see the evidence somehow.

We sent:

bank statements, 

tax returns 

him added to my bank account and me added to his

the lease with both our names

ahared amazon prime account

health insurance 

car insurance

cards from guests to our wedding

Three affidavits 

wedding album

everyday album 

random mail coming to our house (same address)

DL (same address)