Fastening AOS App.

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

Just a few questions!

Are ACCO fastners the Black ones with the metal tabs the you push together to open the thing? Or are they the ones you put through the holes? I thought that ACCO was a brand. I am so confused!

How do you attach the photos in a bag to the piece of paper?

Should I put the two hole punch at the top even if I don't use it? And what is the spacing for the holes?

What kind of tabs should I use on the bottom of the packets? Label everything?

Should I put it in a binder? If yes, what kind?

How do I attach the payment?

Is a cover letter really necessary?

I wish this wasn't so complicated! Then again, I tend to make things more complicated then they really are. I just want to make sure I do this all properly.

Thanks!

[Jun1 0]

Is there any other way to make it more simple?

Now i am confused

[rebelheart 0]

Just a few questions!

Are ACCO fastners the Black ones with the metal tabs the you push together to open the thing? Or are they the ones you put through the holes? I thought that ACCO was a brand. I am so confused!

How do you attach the photos in a bag to the piece of paper?

Should I put the two hole punch at the top even if I don't use it? And what is the spacing for the holes?

What kind of tabs should I use on the bottom of the packets? Label everything?

Should I put it in a binder? If yes, what kind?

How do I attach the payment?

Is a cover letter really necessary?

I wish this wasn't so complicated! Then again, I tend to make things more complicated then they really are. I just want to make sure I do this all properly.

Hi, its really depends in you how you compiled your papers, the seperation stuff is by the form& evidences. About the payment i attached infront of the AOS form.

I havent got problem just using tabs and staple every pages needed, then i clipped everything needs to be together and just put on top of everything the table of contents ... i didnt make a cover letter, its really depends in your style... only to make sure ... nothing will lose with it.

gudluck

Thanks!

[Cassie 8]

I just labelled everything with Post-It notes, arranged it nicely, and then attached everything together with those binder clip thingys. No table of contents, no cover letters, nothing. Since I was sending in all three applications (AOS, EAD, AP) in one package -- this was just before the Chicago Lockbox thing clicked for all states -- I then put each application and supporting documents in a manila envelope and labelled them, and then put it all in one big envelope.

When they sent back my entire package (because I forgot to sign one of the cheques), everything was out of the envelopes, and arranged the way the DO wanted it. So much for my careful organization!

My point is -- there really is no need for stressing out over tabs and fasteners, IMHO.

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

THe thing is that I am sending The I-130 with the I-485, I-765, and I-864. SO I have a lot of stuff. Send it all at once was what the Office told me. That's what I'ma doing! Just gotta figure out how! And one more thing! How in the world am I supposed to mail it?! I read somthing about mailing it and it didn't make a bit of sense. I can just put the address and stamp and mail it right? Is there a specific type of envelope? So much to do, so little time to understand it all!

[Leasel7 0]

My point is -- there really is no need for stressing out over tabs and fasteners, IMHO.

Perhaps not, but USCIS does have guidance on how they prefer an application to be put together, and they do ask that you use a two-hole punch and ACCO fastener:

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices...nal/index.htm#H

Here's an excerpt:

In preparing your packet, please take note of the following:

Do not use binders or folders that cannot be easily disassembled.

Use ACCO fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated.

The use of tabs assist in locating items listed as attachments. The tabs should be placed on the bottom and not the side for ease in filing.

Avoid using heavy-duty staples; instead use ACCO fasteners or heavy clips.

Avoid submitting originals unless specifically required (Forms I-94, Labor certifications, etc). Avoid submitting oversized documentation when possible.

THe thing is that I am sending The I-130 with the I-485, I-765, and I-864. SO I have a lot of stuff. Send it all at once was what the Office told me. That's what I'ma doing! Just gotta figure out how! And one more thing! How in the world am I supposed to mail it?! I read somthing about mailing it and it didn't make a bit of sense. I can just put the address and stamp and mail it right? Is there a specific type of envelope? So much to do, so little time to understand it all!

It doesn't matter what kind of envelope you use, but how you mail it is important. As recommended on this site's AOS Guide:

Be sure to mail the package with return receipt requested / delivery confirmation. Send via USPS.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=k1k3aos

That way you can get confirmation that the package arrived at the appropriate address.

[rob&ana 0]

First of all....

BREATH!!!! ok... again... BREATH!!!

It's not really that difficult. And some people has used binders, other have used clips, rubber bands... it's depending on your taste.

And like someone said already, it doesnt really matter cause when they get it, they reorganize it.

Follow the guidance here in VJ... they are pretty simple, and think of it as if you were turning in a paper at school, one where you dont want to miss any documentation (hence the index or cover letter)... If you want a model I am sure many of us can provide one.

Again... BREATH!!!!

Good luck!

[Leasel7 0]

Are ACCO fastners the Black ones with the metal tabs the you push together to open the thing? Or are they the ones you put through the holes? I thought that ACCO was a brand. I am so confused!

ACCO fasteners are silver and consist of two parts -- one with two long bendable prongs, and the other a bar with holes at either end and the two metal sliding tabs. ACCO is a brand, and you should be able to find them at an office supply store; I bought mine at Office Max.

How do you attach the photos in a bag to the piece of paper?

I stapled the back of a ziplock bag onto the piece of paper, then inserted the photos.

Should I put the two hole punch at the top even if I don't use it? And what is the spacing for the holes?

USCIS website states that they appreciate having the top of the material punched with a two hole punch. And if you are using ACCO fasteners, you will use the holes. The spacing for the holes is standard, so don't worry about it, just use a two hole punch. It will give you the right spacing for ACCO fasteners.

What kind of tabs should I use on the bottom of the packets? Label everything?

That's up to you. It seems that tabs are optional, but they can help you organize a complicated AOS package. I bought stick on index tabs and put them on the bottom of the divider pages to clearly mark the I-485, G-325A, copy of birth certificate, copy of passport, passport photos, I-765, etc.

Should I put it in a binder? If yes, what kind?

No, don't use a binder...USCIS specifically says they do not like them! (See the link I provided above to USCIS guidance on how to put a petition together.)

How do I attach the payment?

I think I put the checks in a ziplock bag and stapled the bag onto a piece of paper, but seems like I read somewhere that USCIS prefers that you just paperclip the check(s) onto the front of the AOS package.

Is a cover letter really necessary?

No, it is optional, and I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't bother with it. I did include one with my husband's AOS package.

Good luck, and don't worry too much about all of these little details, it will all come together. One lesson learned from me: if you are applying for EAD (and/or AP), read over those separate forms carefully and make sure you have included everything needed for that application. I put my husband in charge of filling out his EAD form, and neither of us read the instructions carefully enough, because we should have sent a separate set of passport photos for EAD. I think we also should have included a copy of his passport for EAD. I've been expecting an RFE, but thus far our EAD application seems stalled while AOS is chugging along over at CSC.

[Dr_LHA 3]

From the sounds of the instructions I did everything wrong. Stapled stuff, put in folders (well, cardboard non-bound folders), paperclipped photos to the forms without protection..... and yet, USCIS still accepted and are processing my application.

So really, it doesn't matter that much!

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

From the sounds of the instructions I did everything wrong. Stapled stuff, put in folders (well, cardboard non-bound folders), paperclipped photos to the forms without protection..... and yet, USCIS still accepted and are processing my application.

So really, it doesn't matter that much!

Ok! Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll just do what seems right and try not to stress too much about it. I guess my biggest thing is first impressions. And that's the first presentation.

[Dr_LHA 3]

Ok! Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll just do what seems right and try not to stress too much about it. I guess my biggest thing is first impressions. And that's the first presentation.

Note also that the immigration officer isn't the one who gets the first impression. There are mail room workers at the Chicago Lockbox facility (I believe) that take all your forms and scan and sort them into an acceptable format for processing. There seem to be very few cases of people getting rejected at this stage at all that I have seen. You should be concentrating on making sure everything is signed, accounted for and the checks add up!

Good luck, I know its stressful!

[Heracles 417]

I remember reading that they do not want people to use the ACCO fastaners for the AOS, even though it is recommened for the K1...

Found it " Please refrain from using “ACCO” style fasteners and/or staples (However, it is ok to staple the fee to the top of the primary application package.)"

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices....htm#FilingTips

[Leasel7 0]

I remember reading that they do not want people to use the ACCO fastaners for the AOS, even though it is recommened for the K1...

Found it " Please refrain from using “ACCO” style fasteners and/or staples (However, it is ok to staple the fee to the top of the primary application package.)"

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices....htm#FilingTips

I guess USCIS is a bit schizophrenic then. The link you provided is for the National Benefits Center FAQ, whereas elsewhere on the USCIS website we find the following guidance for processing at the National Service Centers, including the I-485:

Use ACCO fasteners to hold together thick or bulky applications or petitions. Two-hole punching the top of the material for easy placement in the file is appreciated. http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices...nal/index.htm#H

I used an ACCO fastener on my AOS package...hmmm, maybe that's why I got transferred to the California Service Center!!!