Sending in both I-130 and I-129F at the same time?

[Puravida4ver 0]

I am nearly ready to send of my I-130 package. I have noticed several people sent both their I-130 and I-129F off to the appropriate service center at the same time, presumably without waiting for the NoA1 to arrive. Do I understand that correctly? Maybe I read their posts wrong, but am curious if this is OK. Thanks for reading.

[Credzba 0]

I am nearly ready to send of my I-130 package. I have noticed several people sent both their I-130 and I-129F off to the appropriate service center at the same time, presumably without waiting for the NoA1 to arrive. Do I understand that correctly? Maybe I read their posts wrong, but am curious if this is OK. Thanks for reading.

You must have mis-understood the posts.

You MUST have your I-130 case number (and I think a copy of your NOA1) to file your I-129F.

So, the I-129F must wait a few weeks.

Send in the I-130 as soon as possible, it is only about 2 weeks to get the NOA1, then you can file your I-129F.

[pushbrk 13,073]

I am nearly ready to send of my I-130 package. I have noticed several people sent both their I-130 and I-129F off to the appropriate service center at the same time, presumably without waiting for the NoA1 to arrive. Do I understand that correctly? Maybe I read their posts wrong, but am curious if this is OK. Thanks for reading.

You must have mis-understood the posts.

You MUST have your I-130 case number (and I think a copy of your NOA1) to file your I-129F.

So, the I-129F must wait a few weeks.

Send in the I-130 as soon as possible, it is only about 2 weeks to get the NOA1, then you can file your I-129F.

The misunderstanding is on your end but the change in policy took place only a few weeks ago. See here:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/Up...iling062107.pdf

[samira_07 1]

I am nearly ready to send of my I-130 package. I have noticed several people sent both their I-130 and I-129F off to the appropriate service center at the same time, presumably without waiting for the NoA1 to arrive. Do I understand that correctly? Maybe I read their posts wrong, but am curious if this is OK. Thanks for reading.

Due to the new policy, and the location on where to send the 129F, I have sent them off at the same time. Before you would send the 129F to Chicago, now you send it to the same service center you send the 130. In addition, before there was a fee for 129F and now there is none. I hope this is understandable.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Well, there doesn't seem to be anything explicit in the new rules about sending them together. It is true that you no longer send the I-129F to the Chicago lockbox. According to the new rules you are to send it to CSC or VSC directly depending on your location.

I received the advice to send them together from a USCIS officer. I also know of two others who received the same advice. In my case, I was told to send them together to avoid any problems with sending in the I-130 before the fee change and the I-129F after the change of July 30.

Now that the fees have changed, I don't know if USCIS is still recommending sending the petitions together. It seems that they may continue to accept them this way since all that is really needed to submit the I-129F is some sort of proof that you submitted an I-130. Sending them together may be seen as acceptable proof.

Also, from looking at my timeline, you can see that I have yet to receive a NOA1 for either petition, so I have no definitive proof that they are going to accept my joint submission. My point is that you should tread carefully as you decide whether to submit your petitions together.

Peace,

CG

Edited August 15, 2007 by ColombianoGringo

[Imua 0]

Well, there doesn't seem to be anything explicit in the new rules about sending them together. It is true that you no longer send the I-129F to the Chicago lockbox. According to the new rules you are to send it to CSC or VSC directly depending on your location.

I received the advice to send them together from a USCIS officer. I also know of two others who received the same advice. In my case, I was told to send them together to avoid any problems with sending in the I-130 before the fee change and the I-129F after the change of July 30.

Now that the fees have changed, I don't know if USCIS is still recommending sending the petitions together. It seems that they may continue to accept them this way since all that is really needed to submit the I-129F is some sort of proof that you submitted an I-130. Sending them together may be seen as acceptable proof.

Also, from looking at my timeline, you can see that I have yet to receive a NOA1 for either petition, so I have no definitive proof that they are going to accept my joint submission. My point is that you should tread carefully as you decide whether to submit your petitions together.

Peace,

CG

I am about ready to send in our petitions (I am sending them together based on the advice in this thread and others) except I am wondering about the 'evidence of bonafide marriage'. I notice you are newlyweds too - did you submit anything other than the marriage certificate and photos with family?

[Puravida4ver 0]

Are you asking about CG's docs? If so, you can find his posts by searching under his screenname. He has a very good, detailed post about his I-130 packet and the documents he sent in. As for me, I am also sending in affadavits from friends asserting that my wife and I have a true and bonafide marriage (despite living in separate countries) as well as travel docs from pre-wedding visits.

[edp333 9]

I am about ready to send in our petitions (I am sending them together based on the advice in this thread and others) except I am wondering about the 'evidence of bonafide marriage'. I notice you are newlyweds too - did you submit anything other than the marriage certificate and photos with family?

Two affidavits are what most of us newlyweds sent as proof of a bonasfide marriage.

5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage);

as shown in the guides:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k3guide

[bszoom42 0]

This is indeed an interesting question, and if any of you are able to come to a definitive answer, please update this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83054

Pshbrk - I agree with you the mailing instructions have changed to allow for the I-129F to be mailed to the same address as the I-130, but I have not been able to find anything that explicitly states they can be filed concurrently. Everything I have read states that the I-129F needs to be filed after the I-130 has been filed.

Yodrak did mention that people have been filing concurrently with success though, so I am wondering it if this is just an issue of outdated instructions on USCIS and Department of State websites.

[pushbrk 13,073]

This is indeed an interesting question, and if any of you are able to come to a definitive answer, please update this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83054

Pshbrk - I agree with you the mailing instructions have changed to allow for the I-129F to be mailed to the same address as the I-130, but I have not been able to find anything that explicitly states they can be filed concurrently. Everything I have read states that the I-129F needs to be filed after the I-130 has been filed.

Yodrak did mention that people have been filing concurrently with success though, so I am wondering it if this is just an issue of outdated instructions on USCIS and Department of State websites.

Yes, filing together is not a published USCIS instruction but we've had members instructed by USCIS on the phone to do so and those who just ignorantly did so. In all cases since late June, they have done so with success.

[ranjithrama 0]

I am sending the docs to my wife after an approved 129F. I was wondering as to how to prepare these affidavits of a bonafide marriage. Do you know if there are forms or do we have to submit letters?

"Two affidavits are what most of us newlyweds sent as proof of a bonasfide marriage...."

[pushbrk 13,073]

I am sending the docs to my wife after an approved 129F. I was wondering as to how to prepare these affidavits of a bonafide marriage. Do you know if there are forms or do we have to submit letters?

"Two affidavits are what most of us newlyweds sent as proof of a bonasfide marriage...."

The affidavits are for use with the actual I-130 petition. Once you have an approved petition, you don't need affidavits, you need to present evidence at the interview that your relationship is bona fide and ongoing. Usually this is done with evidence of visits and ongoing communication.

Two different animals.

[Chandler 0]

I am sending the docs to my wife after an approved 129F. I was wondering as to how to prepare these affidavits of a bonafide marriage. Do you know if there are forms or do we have to submit letters?

"Two affidavits are what most of us newlyweds sent as proof of a bonasfide marriage...."

The affidavits are for use with the actual I-130 petition. Once you have an approved petition, you don't need affidavits, you need to present evidence at the interview that your relationship is bona fide and ongoing. Usually this is done with evidence of visits and ongoing communication.

Two different animals.

Hi new to the site and thanks for sharing the information. I found you guys doing a google search. I happen to have just married my girlfriend from Malaysia and we are newlyweds and I want her to come to the US with me.

I see the affidavit topic and want to know who is better to ask to fill out an affidavit, a relative or non relative. What type of knowledge that the wedding is bonifide is best and what type of info would not be heplful.

Thanks for your assistance with the question.

Curtis

[pushbrk 13,073]

I am sending the docs to my wife after an approved 129F. I was wondering as to how to prepare these affidavits of a bonafide marriage. Do you know if there are forms or do we have to submit letters?

"Two affidavits are what most of us newlyweds sent as proof of a bonasfide marriage...."

The affidavits are for use with the actual I-130 petition. Once you have an approved petition, you don't need affidavits, you need to present evidence at the interview that your relationship is bona fide and ongoing. Usually this is done with evidence of visits and ongoing communication.

Two different animals.

Hi new to the site and thanks for sharing the information. I found you guys doing a google search. I happen to have just married my girlfriend from Malaysia and we are newlyweds and I want her to come to the US with me.

I see the affidavit topic and want to know who is better to ask to fill out an affidavit, a relative or non relative. What type of knowledge that the wedding is bonifide is best and what type of info would not be heplful.

Thanks for your assistance with the question.

Curtis

The marriage certificate proves the "wedding" is bona fide beyond any doubt. The affidavits are about your relationship. I think a non family member would be preferrable if possible but really, what are they going to say about the relationship of newlyweds unless they've had time to observe you living together?

[dodson01 0]

For those of you waiting for the receipt notice from the I-130 before mailing the I-129, the instructions say to mail your application to the same address where your I-130 is pending or the address on the I-797.

However, if you mailed your I-130 after August 1, 2007 to Vermont and that is exactly where you will be filing the I-129, then mail the I-129. You do not have to wait for the receipt notice. The instructions only say to send in "evidence" that the I-130 has been filed -- we mailed in copy of check and return receipt from Post Office. Prior to August 1, I-129 were sent to Chicago. After the end of July, the rules changed.

This will only work if you filed the I-130 during August and your service center for both applications is the SAME. We received our NOA1 for the I-129 in 2 days and it states that "we requested the fee to be waived and they did."

Believe me, it worked for us.