Assembling the Spousal CR-1 package - Looking for Advice

[Dave Knapp 47]

I'm new to Visa Journey, and I must say it is soooo much better than any other immigration site. My question is very basic. I am a US citizen seeking input on how to actually assemble the package for my Filipina Spouse.  The application has grown to about 1/2 inch thick with all the documentation.  My experience is that some government agencies don't like pages stapled together.  Some prefer things tabbed.  Some like them 2 hole punched and clipped at the top.  If anyone has some proven successful dance steps for constructing the package, I'd appreciate  the feedback.  We are both in the Philippines and will be applying at the Texas drop box.

[HRQX 4,145]

7 minutes ago, Dave Knapp said:

If anyone has some proven successful dance steps for constructing the package, I'd appreciate  the feedback.  We are both in the Philippines and will be applying at the Texas drop box.

I recommend to instead use the online filing option: https://www.uscis.gov/i-130

 

File Online

 

It results in getting the Receipt notice way faster (i.e. usually within a day of filing; it'll appear in the USCIS online account)

[Dave Knapp 47]

When I first saw the online filing option it seemed as if I couldnt' use it.  The guidance on the USCIS website and State Dept website is really unclear.  I still will have to assemble the package although the paper clip issue would be moot.  Should the cover letter list all the enclosures?  

 

Thanks.

[JeanneAdil 6,427]

follow the tips from the USCIS site itself

tells you what to use and what not to use

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/form-filing-tips

[HRQX 4,145]

22 minutes ago, Dave Knapp said:

When I first saw the online filing option it seemed as if I couldnt' use it.

You can use it. It can be filed from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. And the fee can be paid with a valid credit or debit card: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/tips-for-filing-forms-online

22 minutes ago, Dave Knapp said:

I still will have to assemble the package

The online system is straightforward. It prompts you to upload the documents at specific points of the form:

 

 

The following question you leave completely blank (and skip it) since it's not relevant to your case:

Edited October 1, 2021 by HRQX

[Dave Knapp 47]

Thanks for your responses, they have been most helpful.  I ran a file size test on a few sample pages, both color and B & W in PDF format and it looks like the package will be larger than the 30MB Max ( 5 files @ 6MB each), so I will file using UPS or DHL. I understand that this will take longer than online filing, but we'll live with that.  I have been trying to find instructions specific to the I-130A but no luck.  So, 2 questions. 1. Do I attach copies of my bride's passport and birth certificate to the I-130 or the I-130A?  2. Do I include her 2 x 2 photos with mine or with her I-130A?  Thanks again for your case specific help, and for all that you do.  David Knapp 

 

 

 

 

 

[HRQX 4,145]

7 minutes ago, Dave Knapp said:

will be larger than the 30MB Max ( 5 files @ 6MB each)

The form accepts more than 5 files. It'll prompt you at different sections to upload specific document(s). So it'll all be spread out.

10 minutes ago, Dave Knapp said:

I have been trying to find instructions specific to the I-130A but no luck.

"Instructions for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary" https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130instr.pdf

[top_secret 2,383]

One thing to consider with paper I-130 applications these days is that no matter how carefully you organize and assemble and hole punch everything and get it all perfect, the first thing they will do when they receive it is hand the packet over to some lackey subcontractor who is assigned to disassemble everything and feed it through an industrial high speed scanner.  Whereby it is hopefully all dumped a big file in a server somewhere and given an IOE number.  Hopefully they don't miss pages, get stuff upside-down, have details cut off.  Then I presume they would need to shred all the papers.

 

Me personally, I felt I did a much more careful job scanning and arranging PDF files in a manner that would be very organized, pleasant and easy for a reviewer to go through.

Edited October 2, 2021 by top_secret

[Dave Knapp 47]

Okay.  I'll give the online filing a shot. Worse case is it doesn't go through.  I'll scan everything into PDFs and go from there. Thanks.

[Chancy 6,241]

2 hours ago, Dave Knapp said:

1. Do I attach copies of my bride's passport and birth certificate to the I-130 or the I-130A?  2. Do I include her 2 x 2 photos with mine or with her I-130A?

 

No and no.  Your wife's passport, birth certificate, and 2x2 photos will only be required at NVC stage, after the petition has been approved.

 

By the way, I also recommend online filing.  That's how we filed our petition.  Very convenient and our evidence files were organized and scanned exactly the way we wanted them.

 

[Dave Knapp 47]

Thanks to all for the advice and counsel.  I uploaded the application this morning.  Not without it's challenges - most due to the 6MB file size limit.  First attempt was my passport.  I read that I needed to upload the entire thing.  That file turned out to be too large so I rescanned at 300 dpi, lopped off the blank pages in the back and it made it under the limbo pole at 5.79MB.  Everything else was OK.  Fingers crossed. Thanks again.

[DutchGuy 40]

On 10/2/2021 at 6:41 AM, Chancy said:

 

No and no.  Your wife's passport, birth certificate, and 2x2 photos will only be required at NVC stage, after the petition has been approved.

 

By the way, I also recommend online filing.  That's how we filed our petition.  Very convenient and our evidence files were organized and scanned exactly the way we wanted them.

 

That is incorrect. The beneficiary also needs to upload 2x2 photos. 

Source: Filled the I-130 online 2 weeks ago.

[Just Paul 4,595]

12 minutes ago, DutchGuy said:

That is incorrect. The beneficiary also needs to upload 2x2 photos. 

Source: Filled the I-130 online 2 weeks ago.

If you file on paper you only need the petitioner's photo unless the benificary is in the US. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130instr.pdf

per very bottom of page 6 

[Dave Knapp 47]

Paul and Mary.  I caught that.  Uploaded 2x2s for both of us. Thanks.  Say hi to Peter for me. ;-)

[Dave Knapp 47]

Thanks to all. In a belt and suspenders approach,  I uploaded 2x2s for both if us. It was confusing since neither of us is in the US. The one size fits all approach isn't the best. It would be more straight forward if you got an application tailored to your circumstances.  There aren't that many permutations.  Less mistakes by us makes less work for them. IMHO.