Front loading on the I-130?

[JusticeWarrior67 3]

Hi, we already submitted the I-130, but I've noticed that a lot of you guys front load on the I-130 form.

what me and my wife did was just submitting all the required forms (I-130, G-325A, US passport etc) and added 2 notarized affidavits from family and friends. We do have a lot of wedding pictures as well as pictures of the times she has visited me, boarding passes, money receipts and so forth.

But we decided to show all of that in the interview so that we'd have something in hand to present to the officer

Did we do a mistake and should have front loaded on the I-130 form or it was a good idea what we did?

[CallMeShams 34]

Hi, we already submitted the I-130, but I've noticed that a lot of you guys front load on the I-130 form.

what me and my wife did was just submitting all the required forms (I-130, G-325A, US passport etc) and added 2 notarized affidavits from family and friends. We do have a lot of wedding pictures as well as pictures of the times she has visited me, boarding passes, money receipts and so forth.

But we decided to show all of that in the interview so that we'd have something in hand to present to the officer

Did we do a mistake and should have front loaded on the I-130 form or it was a good idea what we did?

I did similar to you with my I-130 petition but after reading some experiences here I decided to side load at the NVC. There is an opportunity for you to include additional evidences when you submit documents to the NVC. What you send is supposed to be sent to the Embassy. The idea being that they would be able to review that documentation before you go for your interview.

We will find out Friday how that will go. I think it is a good idea to do. Many have had success front loading, or side loading.

There has been instances where the immigration officer didn't want to see any supporting evidence presented at the interview, for whatever reason.

To avoid that pickle, I am a proponent of loading up and beefing up your case before it gets to the Embassy.

[Alaska2012 462]

You do want to show some kind of evidence of a bonafide marriage. Affidavits are nice and all but anyone can write a letter. Pictures are always better and boarding passes and such. But with that said, it might not be an issue at all! Sometimes I think it's all down to the person working the case. If that person have a good day you are in luck! Some peeps front load like crazy an still get get ref. You just never know!

[JusticeWarrior67 3]

I did similar to you with my I-130 petition but after reading some experiences here I decided to side load at the NVC. There is an opportunity for you to include additional evidences when you submit documents to the NVC. What you send is supposed to be sent to the Embassy. The idea being that they would be able to review that documentation before you go for your interview.

We will find out Friday how that will go. I think it is a good idea to do. Many have had success front loading, or side loading.

There has been instances where the immigration officer didn't want to see any supporting evidence presented at the interview, for whatever reason.

To avoid that pickle, I am a proponent of loading up and beefing up your case before it gets to the Embassy.

Did you get any RFE when you submitted your I-130? as according to what you said, you didn't submit any proof of a bona fide relationship along with the I-130 form

[Wife! 0]

You can submit marriage certificate (if its in foreign language, attach it too) , few wedding pictures, affidavits as evidences and you are all set i guess. And yes i-130 and g325a too with your greencard or passport.

I am not sure but i guess they need two applicant passport size pictures. I am not sure, read i-130 instructions.

[CallMeShams 34]

Did you get any RFE when you submitted your I-130? as according to what you said, you didn't submit any proof of a bona fide relationship along with the I-130 form

I misspoke. I did send a copy of our marriage certificate. I also sent two receipts of wire transfers sent to my wife. That was it though for the evidence of a bona fide relationship.

My comments were more on that I didn't front load like others did.

Thankfully I didn't get an RFE.

Edited November 18, 2015 by CallMeShams

[NikLR 13,234]

Hi, we already submitted the I-130, but I've noticed that a lot of you guys front load on the I-130 form.

what me and my wife did was just submitting all the required forms (I-130, G-325A, US passport etc) and added 2 notarized affidavits from family and friends. We do have a lot of wedding pictures as well as pictures of the times she has visited me, boarding passes, money receipts and so forth.

But we decided to show all of that in the interview so that we'd have something in hand to present to the officer

Did we do a mistake and should have front loaded on the I-130 form or it was a good idea what we did?

Generally on VJ we recommend front loading for high fraud countries. Nigeria, India, China, etc...

It's been reported quite a bit on here about people taking evidence to the interview and the CO refusing to look at it, so you take a gamble with that approach. It's best to have any and all information in the CO's hands before the interview.

However since you're at the point of the interview, I do wish you the very best and that you have a good CO who will look at whatever you bring. You cannot change the past, just work for the future.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Yes, you should definitely put proof of your bona fida marriage with the I-130. Even says so in the instructions. Some get RFEs for not having submitted bona fida proof while others are approved without it. Like Alaska 2012 said, it all depends on who's reviewing your case.

Just make sure you submit your bona fida proof at the NVC stage, because you really want the CO to have that info before your interview so they have a favorable impression of your relationship before you even go to the interview.