What kind of folder for applications?

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

We just two-hole punched the top of each sheet with an ACCO puncher and then just sectioned off the different areas with paper clips.

Put one big clip to hold it all together and off it went.

[visaveteran1 33]

I went to Office Depot and bought a 10-page set of clear "sheet protectors." You may need more depending on your situation. They can be either separate sheets or attached together like a packet. They work great and you can make notations on the sheet protectors explaining the contents inside the protector using a Sharpie. And the forms can't be harmed or lost easily and no need for punching holes. I think it makes the packet more "idiot-proof."

USCIS will take all the papers out of those sheet protectors and throw the protectors away, so this is a very bad idea. If you need to explain something on the forms, that's what the cover letter and extra attached sheets are for. USCIS deals with paper, not plastic.

How do you know the USCIS will throw out the sheets?

Ask your wife if she sees any sheet protectors in your case file when she interviews.

And points for neatness?

[visaveteran1 33]

How do you know the USCIS will throw out the sheets? I like them because you can use 'stickies" also and they'll remain where they belong. I also like to be able to label certain items like "Double-sided copies," etc. The kind of things that may not be obvious even with a table of contents. Also, USCIS does deal with plastic...plastic bags for the photos.

Using sheet protectors, I filed a K-1 and it flew through to approval and interview....3 months (March 07-june 07 Too bad the relationship went bad. And now I'm going K-3. I'd say the more organized and well labeled the packet, the better the officer will understand what he/she is looking at...even if at some point the sheets get tossed.

But, then again, maybe I'm wrong?

I used ACCO fasteners for both my K-1 and now the AOS/EAD/AP paperwork. No problems so far...but then others used different methods and that worked too. You can use probably anything besides a heavy binder, or staples, as pusbrk states and it should be fine.

You had a K-1 approved in June of this year, that relationship ended, but you've since found someone, married her and managed to file by the end of November?

The "math" is not that impressive...I withdrew the K-1 petition in early May when it was approved as things were ending for us. Estimated interview would have been in June. Revisited someone I had met earlier in my life during the late summer. Returned again for new meeting. And married in late October. Required much travel but that's part of the deal. Da?