Questions: filling out I-485

[BadAmmoWitch 213]

Hello everyone. A big thank you to anyone who can offer some advice. 

 

My wife entered with a K1 in June 2022, and we were married in the US later that same month. For various reasons, we did not file AOS paperwork, but we are ready to do it now.

 

-Aside from the I-485, do we need to file any additional documents due to my wife's unauthorized stay?

-Please confirm: we do NOT need to file I-130, correct?

-Throughout the I-485, there are fields to enter my wife's A number, but I don't see this anywhere in our documents. Am I missing it?

-I-485 item 22 asks for her non-immigrant visa number. Her K1 visa has two numbers that look like possibilities to me; what are the criteria for this number? Should I just list both?

-I-485 item 4 asks for receipt number of underlying petition. Is this the WAC number from the K1 petition, or the MNL number from the Manila embassy?

-Filing fees are $1140 for the I-485 and $85 for biometrics. Do I submit separate checks, or a single check for $1225?

-I was under the impression that we needed to submit lots of evidence of continued relationship, but the I-485 instructions don't mention any of that. Should I submit evidence anyway?

 

Again, thank you thank you thank you to anyone who can help us with this information. Have a great day!

[Crazy Cat 41,814]

If you married within 90 days of her arrival, you do NOT need an I-130.

[Verrou 1,962]

-Aside from the I-485, do we need to file any additional documents due to my wife's unauthorized stay? NO

-Please confirm: we do NOT need to file I-130, correct? NO if u are married within 90 days 

-Throughout the I-485, there are fields to enter my wife's A number, but I don't see this anywhere in our documents. Am I missing it? if she never got A number, live it blank

-I-485 item 22 asks for her non-immigrant visa number. Her K1 visa has two numbers that look like possibilities to me; what are the criteria for this number? Should I just list both? usually the red color one on the bottom of the visa

-Filing fees are $1140 for the I-485 and $85 for biometrics. Do I submit separate checks, or a single check for $1225? single check is fine

-I was under the impression that we needed to submit lots of evidence of continued relationship, but the I-485 instructions don't mention any of that. Should I submit evidence anyway? yes submit it all. anything joint account is better.

Edited March 30, 2023 by Misscloud

[OldUser 6,613]

There's way more forms to be filed with I-485. You do not need I-130, but need forms like I-131, I-765 and others.

 

Please check the guide for more info:

 

 

32 minutes ago, BadAmmoWitch said:

-Throughout the I-485, there are fields to enter my wife's A number, but I don't see this anywhere in our documents. Am I missing it?

 

She likely doesn't have it yet, leave blank.

 

34 minutes ago, BadAmmoWitch said:

-I-485 item 22 asks for her non-immigrant visa number. Her K1 visa has two numbers that look like possibilities to me; what are the criteria for this number? Should I just list both?

 

Search images in Google for "K1 visa number". There's good images showing where it is.

 

35 minutes ago, BadAmmoWitch said:

-Filing fees are $1140 for the I-485 and $85 for biometrics. Do I submit separate checks, or a single check for $1225?

You can submit as single check, but make sure amounts are correct.

[BadAmmoWitch 213]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

There's way more forms to be filed with I-485. You do not need I-130, but need forms like I-131, I-765 and others.

 

Please check the guide for more info:

 

 

She likely doesn't have it yet, leave blank.

 

 

Search images in Google for "K1 visa number". There's good images showing where it is.

 

You can submit as single check, but make sure amounts are correct.

Thanks for the info! I'll check that guide now.

 

But to be sure, the I-765 is for work authorization, and the I-131 is for travel? If my wife does not intend to work or travel any time soon, then I don't need those forms.

 

I'm submitting I-485, I-864, and G-1145.

[OldUser 6,613]

21 minutes ago, BadAmmoWitch said:

Thanks for the info! I'll check that guide now.

 

But to be sure, the I-765 is for work authorization, and the I-131 is for travel? If my wife does not intend to work or travel any time soon, then I don't need those forms.

 

I'm submitting I-485, I-864, and G-1145.

These are free forms when filed with I-485.

 

I strongly encourage filing them even if your wife doesn't have any plans for work or travel.

 

Few times a month I see messages on this forum asking: "My spouse needs to travel back home because his / her mother got sick etc."

 

Don't make this mistake! Her relatives can get sick or there may be other emergency requiring her to leave the US temporarily. It cannot be done if she doesn't have Advance Parole. Her I-485 will be abandoned if she doesn't have AP. So file for it.

 

EAD may be useful for various reasons, not just for employment. It can be used as ID and to do any financial stuff at banks. In this economy you never know if she would need or want out of boredom get a part time job at Starbucks.

 

Do not make your wife's life harder by not filing these forms.

 

GC may take 1.5 years to get approved. At least with AP and EAD, which usually come in 6-8 months, she'll have a chance to live life.

 

P.S I'm nobody to give this particular advice, but I'll leave my $0.02. I-485 is filed by immigrant or on their behalf. It's a good idea to share the knowledge with your wife and set her expectations right regarding immigration. She should understand the process, the questions on forms etc because she's likely going to be interviewed with you for AOS. You guys need to have transparency and prepare for it together.

Edited March 30, 2023 by OldUser

[BadAmmoWitch 213]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

These are free forms when filed with I-485.

 

I strongly encourage filing them even if your wife doesn't have any plans for work or travel.

 

Few times a month I see messages on this forum asking: "My spouse needs to travel back home because his / her mother got sick etc."

 

Don't make this mistake! Her relatives can get sick or there may be other emergency requiring her to leave the US temporarily. It cannot be done if she doesn't have Advance Parole. Her I-485 will be abandoned if she doesn't have AP. So file for it.

 

EAD may be useful for various reasons, not just for employment. It can be used as ID and to do any financial stuff at banks. In this economy you never know if she would need or want out of boredom get a part time job at Starbucks.

 

Do not make your wife's life harder by not filing these forms.

 

GC may take 1.5 years to get approved. At least with AP and EAD, which usually come in 6-8 months, she'll have a chance to live life.

 

P.S I'm nobody to give this particular advice, but I'll leave my $0.02. I-485 is filed by immigrant or on their behalf. It's a good idea to share the knowledge with your wife and set her expectations right regarding immigration. She should understand the process, the questions on forms etc because she's likely going to be interviewed with you for AOS. You guys need to have transparency and prepare for it together.

This is wise advice. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that to me! I will submit the additional forms with the I-485.

[Scandi 4,166]

Correct, evidence of a bonafide marriage isn't needed with the i-485. Many of us didn't send any evidence, only the marriage certificate. You can if you want to, of course. 

[Kurt and Kristina 72]

Regarding the "A" number, isn't that what is on the NOA 2 for the Beneficiary?

Just received ours and noticed that number above her (beneficiary's) name on the I-797 (NOA2).

[BadAmmoWitch 213]

On 3/31/2023 at 8:23 AM, Kurt and Kristina said:

Regarding the "A" number, isn't that what is on the NOA 2 for the Beneficiary?

Just received ours and noticed that number above her (beneficiary's) name on the I-797 (NOA2).

Found it! Thank you.