I-130/I-485 AOS: Optimal terms to use? (USC, intending immigrant, alien spouse etc)

[kettlefish 10]

while this might seem a little OCD for some, I can't help feeling compelled to think about this stuff... (is it a curse??)

sooo I see a number of combo's, and the possibilities and choices are driving me bonkers! What do you think is the best for choosing how to reference yourself and spouse?:

Petitioner

Beneficiary

US Citizen

Non-US Citizen

USC

Non-USC

US Citizen

Alien Spouse

US Citizen

Intending Immigrant

Also one can choose to use different terms for different forms, eg I-130 use Petitioner/Beneficiary and I-485 use (USC/Non-USC). Or one can choose to be consistent across all forms (my preference).

What say you!?

Edited May 27, 2014 by kettlefish

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

We went with:

Petitioner

Beneficiary

Just seems professional and the most appropriate (although USC vs. non USC/Alien spouse is also working- just seems nicer as petitioner/beneficiary). But I would keep it the same way on all the forms...just to make USCIS life easier than constantly having to glance at the names as "which one is the petitioner? Which one was the USC?" Seems to make things complicated if you keep changing the references...(to me, at least). I would not work USCIS....I would have a hard time memorizing all those foreign names and still try to remeber who is who. LOL

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

You are right that the terms change for the I-130 v. the I-485. The Alien is the beneficiary of the I-130 petition, and the USC is the petitioner. For the I-485 the alien is the applicant.

Because of this, I would choose a term that encompasses both, like US Citizen and Alien Spouse, but I don't think it really matters.

Keep in mind that others on this board don't do AOS and are waiting for petitions and visas from outside the US, and they tend to use petitioner/beneficiary because they have a stand-alone petition pending.

But don't worry too much about little stuff like this

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Reading Harpa's note I realize I wasn't fully answering your question. I apologize. Anyway, she is right, doesn't matter what you use. We used petitioner/beneficiary for our AOS, but, and repeat again, it really doesn't matter. Just keep consitent to make things simple.

[kettlefish 10]

We went with:

Petitioner

Beneficiary

Just seems professional and the most appropriate (although USC vs. non USC/Alien spouse is also working- just seems nicer as petitioner/beneficiary). But I would keep it the same way on all the forms...just to make USCIS life easier than constantly having to glance at the names as "which one is the petitioner? Which one was the USC?" Seems to make things complicated if you keep changing the references...(to me, at least). I would not work USCIS....I would have a hard time memorizing all those foreign names and still try to remeber who is who. LOL

hah yeah I also like Petitioner and Beneficiary the best in terms of my subjective feeling, but the issue is I can't use it across the board... For example it would be confusing to use Petitioner for the USC on the I-485.

You are right that the terms change for the I-130 v. the I-485. The Alien is the beneficiary of the I-130 petition, and the USC is the petitioner. For the I-485 the alien is the applicant.

Because of this, I would choose a term that encompasses both, like US Citizen and Alien Spouse, but I don't think it really matters.

Keep in mind that others on this board don't do AOS and are waiting for petitions and visas from outside the US, and they tend to use petitioner/beneficiary because they have a stand-alone petition pending.

But don't worry too much about little stuff like this

Agreed. thanks Harpa.

For me it's down to

US Citizen

Non-US Citizen

US Citizen

Alien

First option is nice and simple (although a bit long), but it could also be visually too homogenous, leading to an simple misreading.

Option two is very clear, but aesthetically the sole "Alien" looks weird by itself. I could put "Alien Immigrant" but then that's not technically true (I'm not an immigrant yet). While "Alien Spouse" unbalances the equation because the US Citizen is also a spouse, so why is that being left out?

So a final option might be:

USC

Alien

It's clean and visually distinct and simple. The only concern with that being maybe "USC" abbreviation is confusing or unclear to someone reading? On second thoughts probably highly unlikely though given the amount of forms the USCIS officers process daily...

might need a drink!!....

Edited May 27, 2014 by kettlefish

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

Citizen

Alien

?

[kettlefish 10]

Citizen

Alien

?

Hah thought about that. Though it's potentially ambiguous because it doesn't frame the reference. eg the US Citizen could also be considered Alien from the perspective of the intending immigrant's home country and vice versa. IOW both are aliens and citizens. (depending on the country)

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

I think US immigration officials know that context of "citizen" on their own paperwork.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

I don't know...we filed with only one term for both the I-130 and the I-485 at the time, and we did not an RFE, or a rude comment at the interview at all. Indeed, we were approved on the spot, and the whole AOS took a total of 2 months from mailing the whole package to showing up to the interview. Plus a week from the interview to get the card in the mail. So I think USCIS won't be upset if you only use one term....but really, it is up to you and your alien spouse (or your alien self, if you are the "beneficiary"). Good luck! Fingers and toes crossed to you guys!

[kettlefish 10]

I don't know...we filed with only one term for both the I-130 and the I-485 at the time, and we did not an RFE, or a rude comment at the interview at all. Indeed, we were approved on the spot, and the whole AOS took a total of 2 months from mailing the whole package to showing up to the interview. Plus a week from the interview to get the card in the mail. So I think USCIS won't be upset if you only use one term....but really, it is up to you and your alien spouse (or your alien self, if you are the "beneficiary"). Good luck! Fingers and toes crossed to you guys!

thanks!!!

and btw you're right.. it's more my issue with myself being at peace and knowing "all is right", than thinking it would cause an RFE or upset the officer.

i figure if ever end up satisfied with my forms, it should then mean it will hopefully be a breeze and pleasure to look at for the USCIS officer too.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Well, in that case I'll cross my fingers and toes that both you and the officer will be smiling on the way IN to the interview, and on the way OUT of the interview...just be satisfied with your forms already and send them...I'm getting anxious!

thanks!!!

and btw you're right.. it's more my issue with myself being at peace and knowing "all is right", than thinking it would cause an RFE or upset the officer.

i figure if ever end up satisfied with my forms, it should then mean it will hopefully be a breeze and pleasure to look at for the USCIS officer too.

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

I promise you will not "upset" the officer by using a wrong term. Really

And you won't get a RFE for a cover letter. Don't be silly In fact, they can fix some tiny mistakes for you, on the forms. Like if you put the wrong local office or something, it's not a problem.

[kettlefish 10]

I promise you will not "upset" the officer by using a wrong term. Really

And you won't get a RFE for a cover letter. Don't be silly In fact, they can fix some tiny mistakes for you, on the forms. Like if you put the wrong local office or something, it's not a problem.

hah thanks Harpa

heading off to fedex in the next hour. here's my cover sheet:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/498031-almost-ready-here-is-my-coversheet-example/

so stressful!

pls let me know if you spot anything amiss. i've noticed you have an eye for these things