I-130 & 129F together?

[MsZ 6]

I'm going to file our I-130 this week and I've been reading the boards and see that people are talking about filing the I-130 and I-129F together. If I do this, do we still need 2 copies of the biography (G-325A), one for each application?

Also, should I staple together multi-page documents?

Thanks!

[pushbrk 12,877]

I'm going to file our I-130 this week and I've been reading the boards and see that people are talking about filing the I-130 and I-129F together. If I do this, do we still need 2 copies of the biography (G-325A), one for each application?

Also, should I staple together multi-page documents?

Thanks!

Yes, the G325a is a quadruplicate form and you will need separate forms for each petition. Treat the petitions the same as you would if you were filing them separately. Just put the two separate petition packages including all their appropriate supporting documentation in the same envelope. The only difference is one envelope instead of two.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Per Pshbrk's advice, I sent my two packages together. I have received NOA1 for both petitions.

If you look at the link in my sig, you can see exactly how I packaged mine.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

...continued

The only real difference now is that you would not send a payment for the I-129F. Also, when it says G-325, it means G-325A. You still need to send the four completed pages of the form for each petition.

For my petitions, I used the ACCO binders(two hole punch at the top of pages) as recommended in the USCIS General Assembly instructions. You probably shouldn't staple them. Each package in a separate envelope and labeled each envelope with the type of petition and the names of the petitioner(me, USC) and the beneficiary(my wife). I put both envelopes into a USPS Priority Mail envelope along with an additional cover letter explaining that I was filing together.

Good luck,

CG

Edited October 15, 2007 by ColombianoGringo

[Dakine 26]

I'm going to file our I-130 this week and I've been reading the boards and see that people are talking about filing the I-130 and I-129F together. If I do this, do we still need 2 copies of the biography (G-325A), one for each application?

Also, should I staple together multi-page documents?

Thanks!

Check a bit more on just filing the I-130 and go for a CR-1 immigrant visa.

K3s process are expensive now and a BIG pain in the butte.

If you send them both together USCIS will hold back the I-130 and you will have to file a I-824 to continue it being processed.

[edp333 9]

Check a bit more on just filing the I-130 and go for a CR-1 immigrant visa.

K3s process are expensive now and a BIG pain in the butte.

If you send them both together USCIS will hold back the I-130 and you will have to file a I-824 to continue it being processed.

There has been one instance here on the K3 forum where the I-129f was returned when both petitions were filed together. One instance does not make a trend and if the I-129F is returned, it will be long before the NOA1 (I-797c) notice is sent.

The CR1 route is a good option considering the delays in receipting the K3 petions.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

There has been one instance here on the K3 forum where the I-129f was returned when both petitions were filed together.

Out of curiosity, who did this happen to and when did they file together? I got my NOA1 for the I-129F two days after I received the NOA1 for the I-130.

[MsZ 6]

I'm sending to Vermont. Which center returned the 129F?

I'm planning on mailing these out tomorrow... There are some benefits to the CR-1 and the money isn't chump change of course... I know we'll make the 2 years so I don't need to hold anything over him <g>.

What do you guess is the difference in time to get in the country? I don't really know if a month or 3 matters in the long run but then I guess that also depends on what happens between now and then. If he's given a hard time at the border and I have to do all of the traveling, sooner might be worth the $1K. On the other hand, even if that happens, we're allegedly grownups and can adjust our visit schedule so I don't burn out. (allegedly) ;-)

What's the overall wisdom these days on this? The reason we did the K-3 over a K-1 is so he wasn't "stuck" in the US as he's got family etc. and needs to be able to go home.

Is there a "work" advantage between the K-3 and CR-1? If there is, that'd be the real tie-breaker I think, over the money.

Thanks everyone! (And for the staple advice. That question was bugging me!!!)

Donna

Check a bit more on just filing the I-130 and go for a CR-1 immigrant visa.

K3s process are expensive now and a BIG pain in the butte.

If you send them both together USCIS will hold back the I-130 and you will have to file a I-824 to continue it being processed.

There has been one instance here on the K3 forum where the I-129f was returned when both petitions were filed together. One instance does not make a trend and if the I-129F is returned, it will be long before the NOA1 (I-797c) notice is sent.

The CR1 route is a good option considering the delays in receipting the K3 petions.

[MsZ 6]

Answering my own question, the CR-1 has the work advantage.

He's in Ottawa... I wonder what the processing time between the K-3 and CR-1 would be. He's a stellar citizen, no problems in his background. An electrical engineer. Solid history all around. Hmmm...

OK. Maybe I won't file tomorrow and will wait so I can make a better decision.

[pushbrk 12,877]

Answering my own question, the CR-1 has the work advantage.

He's in Ottawa... I wonder what the processing time between the K-3 and CR-1 would be. He's a stellar citizen, no problems in his background. An electrical engineer. Solid history all around. Hmmm...

OK. Maybe I won't file tomorrow and will wait so I can make a better decision.

The Consular side of both case would be done in Montreal. Ottawa doesn't deal with family based visa processes.

The rub for Canada is that the CR1 process is several months longer than the K3 process for many. I would ask about this in the Canada regional forum but most Canadian married folks go the K3 route because of the significant time difference. At the same time, since Montreal isn't half way round the world, the option of returning to Montreal for an immigrant visa interview is quite practical for many.

Now, if there were only a sure way to get that I-130 clearly marked to request Consular Processing.

[MsZ 6]

I'll post on the Canadian board...

I'm not sure I understand consular processing though. Is this the same thing as "direct consular"? If so, we can't have it done in Montreal. If not, could you enlighten me?

Thanks again. You're always helpful!

Donna

[pushbrk 12,877]

I'll post on the Canadian board...

I'm not sure I understand consular processing though. Is this the same thing as "direct consular"? If so, we can't have it done in Montreal. If not, could you enlighten me?

Thanks again. You're always helpful!

Donna

No, it's not the same as direct consular. All actual visas receive consular processing. By requesting Consular processing, you are telling USCIS, you actually want a visa instead of having the approved I-130 held for use in your status adjustment process.

[MsZ 6]

OK. So, if we request this (how?) then they'll just move forward on the I-130 and won't wait for a 129F? We're leaning toward the CR-1 now.

Donna

I'll post on the Canadian board...

I'm not sure I understand consular processing though. Is this the same thing as "direct consular"? If so, we can't have it done in Montreal. If not, could you enlighten me?

Thanks again. You're always helpful!

Donna

No, it's not the same as direct consular. All actual visas receive consular processing. By requesting Consular processing, you are telling USCIS, you actually want a visa instead of having the approved I-130 held for use in your status adjustment process.

[pushbrk 12,877]

If you want a CR1 visa, simply don't file the I-129F at all. Your timeline says you filed the I-129F today. If so, too late.

OK. So, if we request this (how?) then they'll just move forward on the I-130 and won't wait for a 129F? We're leaning toward the CR-1 now.

Donna

I'll post on the Canadian board...

I'm not sure I understand consular processing though. Is this the same thing as "direct consular"? If so, we can't have it done in Montreal. If not, could you enlighten me?

Thanks again. You're always helpful!

Donna

No, it's not the same as direct consular. All actual visas receive consular processing. By requesting Consular processing, you are telling USCIS, you actually want a visa instead of having the approved I-130 held for use in your status adjustment process.

[MsZ 6]

That was wishful. We'll be doing the CR1.

So... if they never receive an I-129F, they'll know what to do? (And we'll include a cover letter, etc. stating CR-1)

I'm at the point of foot-dragging because I'm nervous about screwing something up. Sigh... What's the worst that can happen, right?

Donna

If you want a CR1 visa, simply don't file the I-129F at all. Your timeline says you filed the I-129F today. If so, too late.

OK. So, if we request this (how?) then they'll just move forward on the I-130 and won't wait for a 129F? We're leaning toward the CR-1 now.

Donna

I'll post on the Canadian board...

I'm not sure I understand consular processing though. Is this the same thing as "direct consular"? If so, we can't have it done in Montreal. If not, could you enlighten me?

Thanks again. You're always helpful!

Donna

No, it's not the same as direct consular. All actual visas receive consular processing. By requesting Consular processing, you are telling USCIS, you actually want a visa instead of having the approved I-130 held for use in your status adjustment process.