Passport pictures support the petition, not the G325a

[pushbrk 13,934]

Please see this thread. There have been several others as well as PM's and other questions I've received based on the Guides giving the impression the passport pictures should be attached to the G325a. I've even been asked if they need 4 pictures, one for each copy of the G325a. My preferred method is to label the picture, put it in a sandwich bag and staple the sandwich bag to a full sheet of paper, then insert the sheet in the order listed in the cover letter. Certainly it is logical to insert it immediately following the G325a but not "attached" to it.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry2569779

Gee, I see the guide says to "place behind". Is there somewhere else telling them to attach it?

Edited January 19, 2009 by pushbrk

[Mags 112]

Well, gee I don't know!

Edited January 19, 2009 by Magenta

[Otto 83]

Gee, I see the guide says to "place behind". Is there somewhere else telling them to attach it?

Not that I've seen/read - but the guide does say "Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a." So that's where the impression comes from I suppose.

[Captain Ewok 1,930]

We say to attach the plastic bag containing the photos to a sheet and place behind the corresponding G-325a because is someone places a "loose" plastic bag it will likely slide around or out of the package. Attaching the bag to a blank sheet and placing behind the G-325a keeps it in place/order.

I am not sure where people got the above ideas from (OPs post).

[Otto 83]

I see Pushbrk's point - the use of the words 'corresponding G-325A' indicates they (passport photos) are for (in support of) the G-325A.

Not that it makes a lot of difference, but if it causes confusion - maybe a slight change in words is in order.

[Captain Ewok 1,930]

The present wording:

One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e) name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

The corresponding G-325a is just the form for the person in the photo. Thoughts on a change?

[pushbrk 13,934]

The present wording:

One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e) name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

The corresponding G-325a is just the form for the person in the photo. Thoughts on a change?

"Attach the bag to a sheet of paper, and place it behind the foreign fiance(e)'s G-325a forms."

Behind the G-325a is the logical place to put it but the filings need a picture each for the petitioner and beneficiary.

How about, "Attach the bag to a sheet of paper, and place it in the order you mention it in your cover letter." It would generally bring the same or an acceptable result without the misunderstanding.

[rebeccajo 14]

As long as the pictures are of the proper size, and placed in the packet securely so the Service Center can find 'em, I say it doesn't matter one bit where they go.

[William33 110]

As long as the pictures are of the proper size, and placed in the packet securely so the Service Center can find 'em, I say it doesn't matter one bit where they go.

Agreed and that is exactly what we did and were approved.

Sometimes we get into the "weeds" with minute details, that really don't matter in the overall scheme of the process.

Bottom line, make sure they can find the photos in the package.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

As long as the pictures are of the proper size, and placed in the packet securely so the Service Center can find 'em, I say it doesn't matter one bit where they go.

Agreed and that is exactly what we did and were approved.

Sometimes we get into the "weeds" with minute details, that really don't matter in the overall scheme of the process.

Bottom line, make sure they can find the photos in the package.

exactly.

[pushbrk 13,934]

As long as the pictures are of the proper size, and placed in the packet securely so the Service Center can find 'em, I say it doesn't matter one bit where they go.

Agreed and that is exactly what we did and were approved.

Sometimes we get into the "weeds" with minute details, that really don't matter in the overall scheme of the process.

Bottom line, make sure they can find the photos in the package.

exactly.

Of course, but that misses the point entirely. We're discussing how to improve the wording in the guide, to help avoid confusion, not where to put the pictures.

[rebeccajo 14]

As long as the pictures are of the proper size, and placed in the packet securely so the Service Center can find 'em, I say it doesn't matter one bit where they go.

Agreed and that is exactly what we did and were approved.

Sometimes we get into the "weeds" with minute details, that really don't matter in the overall scheme of the process.

Bottom line, make sure they can find the photos in the package.

exactly.

Of course, but that misses the point entirely. We're discussing how to improve the wording in the guide, to help avoid confusion, not where to put the pictures.

My thinking is that the Guides recommend inserting the pics behind the G-325a's because it makes common sense. Not because it's a hard and fast rule.

There is a G325A for both the beneficiary and the petitioner. Likewise there are photos of each party. Sort of like bacon and eggs.

I don't understand how we could "improve the wording" of the Guides about something that (at the end of the day) makes no difference in earning an approval. An "improvement" would be something that exponentially makes a difference.

The Guides are just an outline of how to assemble a package. USCIS gets thousands of petitions each week. Some are tidy and put together in an orderly fashion - others are sort of slung together, a mish-mash of hard to comprehend details. A person doesn't have to follow VJ's Guide for assembling a package to the letter. The more important lesson is comprehension of the fact that clerical neatness matters.

Edited January 21, 2009 by rebeccajo

[Mags 112]

And let's not forget that the service center rips apart the package and puts it together in their own way. You could have the tidiest package in the world and it won't matter.

[rebeccajo 14]

I think the idea behind pairing the photos with the G325A's is simply that some people NEED the organization. They need to be told where to put the photo, or it becomes something they worry about. The veterans here know how it works, but the first time filer does not, and some of those first time filers are extremely nervous. They want and need the hand-holding, even if it doesn't matter one whit of difference in the end.

When I was in the Navy way back when we had wooden ships, we had procedures for the most mundane things. The heads (bathrooms) had to be cleaned according to a list that you did not deviate from. You ALWAYS did it this way, because some people need that discipline. In practice, it doesn't make a whit of difference if you clean the mirrors before you refill the toilet paper, but for some, it matters.

There are people who need structure, to know exactly where to place the photos, or they're going to freak out and post, and then someone's going to say read the guides, and then they're going to explain in excruciating detail that they did read the guides but their question wasn't addressed, and then they'll be flamed for being so #######. Because sometimes the process isn't about what makes USCIS happy, but what makes the filer feel comfortable.

No, the process isn't about what makes the 'filer' feel comfortable - because that's spoonfeeding.

We need when teaching to try and let 'filers' know what is and isn't worth freaking over. This is one of those things that isn't.

The process doesn't have to be 'scary'. We can make it less 'scary' if we teach with a lighter hand.

[Y's_habibitk 2]

And let's not forget that the service center rips apart the package and puts it together in their own way. You could have the tidiest package in the world and it won't matter.

good point.

Also,

If people are having comprehension problems with where/how to include the pics in the guides, it is most likely due to nervousness and wanting things to be perfection.

In the end, if the pictures are attached, not attached..to what and to where does not make a large difference in an approval or RFE. Get the pics in the package, dont throw them in loosely. attach them to a blank peice of paper,to the g form...whatever.

I paper clipped them to each G form, obviously they found them. In the cover letter I stated that they were attached to each form. they found them, we were approved. NO rfe's.

I dont think the wording/phrasing needs to be changed. You would still have people who are confused/nervous or for whatever reason cant understand or second guess themselves.

just my opinion for what its worth