Trying to avoid an RFE

[SteelFaithU2 3]

Hello everyone, I needed to know if I can send in more evidence for petition to avoid getting an RFE since I'm just waiting to hear back from immigration. When I originally sent my petition, I wasn't aware of this forum, and the instructions from the USCIS website were vague on details of what they consider primary and secondary evidence. I thought a lot of the evidence I had would only be needed on the interview date, but now I see that I should have sent in more info with my I-29F.

What I did send was 6 photos showing us together(face and body pics), proposal pics, and us together with her family and friends; our hotel booking (but it only has my name on it); a photo of my stamps from PHI immigration (not a scan); my boarding passes and tickets; Western Union money transfer receipts (with both of our names on it); and all the other info they blatantly requested - except I didn't copy each page of my passport

Kathy has the other primary evidence with her though; such as the Engagement Ring Receipt with both of our names; our apartment we leased together for the month (with both of our names). As far as I'm aware, our daily communication and correspondence is not needed to the interview though, correct?

So what should I do about this? Is there anything else missing I should provide as well? Any help is greatly appreciated - cheers!

Edit: Oh, and if I'm going to have a family member co-sponsor my fiance, when and how should I go about doing so?

Edited May 29, 2012 by SteelFaithU2

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Wait for an RFE. That's really all you can do at this point.

It's not advised to send additional information in before they request it. If you do, there's a high chance that what you send in never gets matched up to your original petition. So wait, see if you get one, and then send in everything they request.

Though, you sent in pictures and boarding passes/tickets. That sounds like enough to me. USCIS just wants proof that you've met in person in the last two years. They don't need daily communication proof, that's for the interview when you need to prove an ongoing relationship. From what you've listed, it sounds like you've sent enough to meet the requirements of USCIS.

As for the cosponsor, that's something that is done for the interview. You and the co-sponsor will both fill out the I-134 Affidavit of Support. You'll both have to include supporting evidence such as pay stubs, tax returns, letters from employers, etc.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Evylin

[Peter_Pan 661]

Not at the moment, because they won't probably be able to match your new information to the rest of your application. You can only prepare for an RFE, if it comes.

[SteelFaithU2 3]

Ok, thank you. I suppose I'll just have to wait and see what happens then - too bad you can't just avoid the RFE and send in the info before they even review the case.

As for my other question though, how can I know if I can have a co-sponsor for my fiance, and when do I have the co-sponsor register? I hear though, that there are no co-sponsors allowed for the Philippines, how can I find out if this is true?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

From what I've read here on VJ, they allow co-sponsors but they do not always get approved. Like I said in my previous post, you both fill out an I-134 and provide supporting evidence. There is no 'registering'.

[lovebirds85 12]

What I did send was 6 photos showing us together(face and body pics), proposal pics, and us together with her family and friends; our hotel booking (but it only has my name on it); a photo of my stamps from PHI immigration (not a scan); my boarding passes and tickets; Western Union money transfer receipts (with both of our names on it); and all the other info they blatantly requested - except I didn't copy each page of my passport

this shall be sufficient proofs of having met in person - we have sent even less proofs. I do not think that you will get RFE

[Tim/Mav 305]

It would appear some mistakes were made and a RFE very posible. Passport/Birth Certs. But that can all be overcome in time if a RFE occurs. The RFE is a short delay and gives you time to render the mistakes. So don't worry so much. It would appear a imcomplete Petition but there is nothing you can do now but wait. It will be fine. what a few weeks anyway. Or Months and thats normal too. As far as a Co-Sponsor. Not a chance but I have seen a K-1 go though with a Co-Sponsor before. Its up to the Counsulate

Edited May 29, 2012 by Tim/Mav

[SteelFaithU2 3]

From what I've read here on VJ, they allow co-sponsors but they do not always get approved. Like I said in my previous post, you both fill out an I-134 and provide supporting evidence. There is no 'registering'.

Ok, and does my bank account balance have any impact on this or not? Let's say, If I have over 10k USD in my account, would this be of much evidence of support? I have had steady work as a CNA now for over the past 13 months, but I recently was laid off due to my client being moved to a nursing home. So I'm trying to get another job right now, but I might have to collect unemployment for now until I get another job. Can I still show my income from my recent job, and if I get another job soon, or start collecting unemployment temporarily, can I show that income as well?

Thanks for all the help everyone, I really appreciate it!

It would appear some mistakes were made and a RFE very posible. Passport/Birth Certs.

I did send in a copy of my Birth Certificate, but I did read on Visajourney that they need a "long-form" birth certificate? All I had was a laminated birth certificate card, and I've never seen or heard of anything else. As for my passport, I copied the primary two pages when you open it, and a photo of my stamps from arriving and departing the Philippines. I just wish I can fix this simple mistake now and just scan all the pages though....

Edited May 29, 2012 by SteelFaithU2

[Penny Lane 8,159]

It would appear some mistakes were made and a RFE very posible. Passport/Birth Certs. But that can all be overcome in time if a RFE occurs. The RFE is a short delay and gives you time to render the mistakes. So don't worry so much. It would appear a imcomplete Petition but there is nothing you can do now but wait. It will be fine. what a few weeks anyway. Or Months and thats normal too. As far as a Co-Sponsor. Not a chance but I have seen a K-1 go though with a Co-Sponsor before. Its up to the Counsulate

Why do you think an RFE is very possible? They've included pictures and boarding passes as well as tickets as proof.

The OP did not mention anything about whether or not they included their birth certificate, only that they didn't include every page of their passport. If this is for the "meet in person" requirement, it doesn't matter, since they have other primary evidence.

As long as the OP provided proof of US citizenship, I don't see an RFE happening for them.

[Tim/Mav 305]

Ok, and does my bank account balance have any impact on this or not? Let's say, If I have over 10k USD in my account, would this be of much evidence of support? I have had steady work as a CNA now for over the past 13 months, but I recently was laid off due to my client being moved to a nursing home. So I'm trying to get another job right now, but I might have to collect unemployment for now until I get another job. Can I still show my income from my recent job, and if I get another job soon, or start collecting unemployment temporarily, can I show that income as well?

Thanks for all the help everyone, I really appreciate it!

Yes. Your interview is way down the road and give plenty of time to gain new employment. But, don't get carried away with unemployment. It is countable but now a means of support. Unemployment is temporay support so don't trust that. The income is countable and taxable as well. Be steadily employed for a peroid of good time before the interview.

[Tim/Mav 305]

Why do you think an RFE is very possible? They've included pictures and boarding passes as well as tickets as proof.

The OP did not mention anything about whether or not they included their birth certificate, only that they didn't include every page of their passport. If this is for the "meet in person" requirement, it doesn't matter, since they have other primary evidence.

As long as the OP provided proof of US citizenship, I don't see an RFE happening for them.

A Birth Cert and Passport is standard proceedure in a properly executed 129-F. Some may dis-agree but that is Normal.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

A Birth Cert and Passport is standard proceedure in a properly executed 129-F. Some may dis-agree but that is Normal.

It's one or the other for proof of US citizenship, not both.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Evylin

[Tim/Mav 305]

It's one or the other for proof of US citizenship, not both.

I don't argue with solid brick walls or Oak Logs. Just answer the OP's questions is all that is asked. We each have our Opinions. The OP has to decifer which is best for their situation. Surely a Birth Cert exists and a Passport. Completing the paperwork is of most importance. The OP also has doubts about income requirements as well. We should answer as best as we can and refrain from personal comments...

Edited May 29, 2012 by Tim/Mav

[SteelFaithU2 3]

Yes. Your interview is way down the road and give plenty of time to gain new employment. But, don't get carried away with unemployment. It is countable but now a means of support. Unemployment is temporay support so don't trust that. The income is countable and taxable as well. Be steadily employed for a peroid of good time before the interview.

By the time I received the NOA2, I was hoping to go back to the Philippines to be with my fiance again and help her with the process and alleviate the stress and suffering for both of us. I would have plenty of money in my savings to be able to do that, but I don't want to jeopardize the visa interview. I was hoping I could just use my recent pay stubs, my family member as a co-sponsor, and my bank account to fulfill their financial requirements.

It's one or the other for proof of US citizenship, not both.

So my birth certificate I received at birth should be fine then? I hear so much conflicting info on here sometimes Although, according to their requirements, it made it sound like they needed both the passport and birth certificate? Maybe I missed the "or", but I'll go see what it said on their instructions again.

Edit: In regards to the Birth Certificate vs Passport debate, the instructions say the Birth Certificate is primary evidence for showing you're a US Citizen - listed under 3. A. If you were born in the US give a copy of your birth certificate (front and back). D: "In place of any of the above, you may give USCIS a valid copy of your passport - you must submit all copies of your passport".

So now that I look at this again, I read this and thought my birth certificate was sufficient, and I just sent in the copy of my primary passport pages just to show I have one, and that a traveled to the Philippines.

Edited May 29, 2012 by SteelFaithU2

[Tim/Mav 305]

Ok, and does my bank account balance have any impact on this or not? Let's say, If I have over 10k USD in my account, would this be of much evidence of support? I have had steady work as a CNA now for over the past 13 months, but I recently was laid off due to my client being moved to a nursing home. So I'm trying to get another job right now, but I might have to collect unemployment for now until I get another job. Can I still show my income from my recent job, and if I get another job soon, or start collecting unemployment temporarily, can I show that income as well?

Thanks for all the help everyone, I really appreciate it!

I did send in a copy of my Birth Certificate, but I did read on Visajourney that they need a "long-form" birth certificate? All I had was a laminated birth certificate card, and I've never seen or heard of anything else. As for my passport, I copied the primary two pages when you open it, and a photo of my stamps from arriving and departing the Philippines. I just wish I can fix this simple mistake now and just scan all the pages though....

These may or maynot be overlooked. The $10,000.00 will have little impact but it what you are bringing in as income to provide is what will count. Just my thought