Cover letter/Package for I-130, feedback please

[azeemguy 4]

Hello folks,

So I helped my wife to assemble the I-130 package for my IR1 visa and I believe we are ready to mail it in. Before we send it, I wanted honest feedback from the lovely community here on my cover letter and contents. Please have a look at it :

####################### START ​#######################

To: USCIS
ATTN: I-130
PO Box 21700
Phoenix, AZ 85036

<DATE>

Subject : I-130 Petition for spouse <NAME> (Original Submission)

Applicant/Petitioner : <NAME>

Beneficiary : <NAME>

Dear Sir/Madam:

I, <NAME>, a citizen of the United States, would like to file a petition I-130 for my spouse, <NAME>.

Please note that I (petitioner) was also known as “<NAME>” and “<NAME>” during my first marriage but after my divorce I have been using my maiden name “<NAME>”. The correct name reflects on my current unexpired U.S. passport, divorce decree and current marriage certificate and copies have been attached as proof.

In addition, please also note that beneficiary used his father’s name “<NAME>” as his family name and “<NAME>” as his first name when he first came to Canada for studies. That was corrected once he immigrated to Canada and his name was truncated to “<NAME>” as first name and “<NAME>” as last name. He has his current full name “<NAME>” on all his identification documents such as passport, drivers’ license, health insurance card and social insurance card etc. Copy of beneficiary’s unexpired Canadian Passport has been attached as proof.

Please find enclosed the required and supporting documents, presented in the following order:

1. Personal check in the amount of $420 for I-130 filing fee.

2. Completed and signed form G-1145.

3. Completed and signed form I-130, petition for spouse.

4. Completed and signed form G-325A (petitioner).

5. Two (2) passport style photos of petitioner.

6. Completed and signed form G-325A (beneficiary).

7. Two (2) passport style photos of beneficiary.

8. Copy of petitioner’s unexpired U.S. passport no. <NUMBER> to establish citizenship.

9. Copy of beneficiary’s unexpired Canadian passport no. <NUMBER>.

10. Copy of our marriage certificate.

11. Copy of my (petitioner) divorce decree.

12. Evidence of bona fide marriage:

A. Relationship Summary.

B. Photographs evidence:

i. 60 miscellaneous photos of petitioner and beneficiary when they both visited each other. Includes court marriage photos. Pictures are in reverse chronological order.

C. Travel evidence:

i. Travel history of beneficiary to USA for the past 5 years (in reverse chronological order).

1. Trip 1 – From 23 May 2016 to 30 May 2016: Itinerary, boarding passes.

2. Trip 2 – From 18 Mar 2016 to 25 Mar 2016: Itinerary, boarding passes.

3. Trip 3 – From 02 Oct 2015 to 10 Oct 2015: Itinerary, boarding passes.

4. Trip 4 – From 18 Apr 2015 to 25 Apr 2015: Itinerary, boarding passes.

5. Trip 5 – From 05 Dec 2014 to 12 Dec 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes.

6. Trip 6 – From 22 Nov 2014 to 24 Nov 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes.

7. Trip 7 – From 01 Aug 2014 to 07 Aug 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes.

8. Trip 8 – From 03 May 2014 to 18 May 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes.

9. Trip 9 – From 15 Mar 2014 to 23 Mar 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes, shuttle receipt.

10. Trip 10 – From 11 Jan 2014 to 19 Jan 2014: Itinerary, boarding pass.

11. Trip 11 – From 19 Sep 2013 to 01 Oct 2013: Itinerary, boarding passes.

12. Trip 12 – From 01 Jun 2013 to 08 Jun 2013: Itinerary, boarding passes, shuttle receipt.

13. Trip 13 – From 16 Jan 2013 to 22 Jan 2013: Itinerary, boarding passes.

14. Trip 14 – From 24 Oct 2012 to 30 Oct 2012: Itinerary, boarding passes.

15. Trip 15 – From 06 Jan 2012 to 13 Jan 2012: Itinerary, boarding passes.

16. Trip 16 – From 31 Aug 2011 to 06 Sep 2011: Itinerary, boarding passes.

ii. Copies of two travel itineraries of petitioner’s and her daughter’s travel to Canada.

1. Trip 1 – From 20 Jan 2007 to 28 Jan 2007: Itinerary (petitioner’s first visit).

2. Trip 2 – From 25 Dec 2015 to 01 Jan 2016: Itinerary (petitioner and her daughter’s most recent visit).

D. Communication evidence:

i. Copy of Skype call logs for last 6 months when my husband (beneficiary) called me (petitioner).

ii. Copies of some courier airway bills we used to send each other greeting cards/gifts.

E. Financial co-mingling evidence:

i. Copy of bank statements from last 6 months from our joint checking account in USA from Bank of America.

ii. Copy of bank statements from last 6 months from our joint checking account in Canada from TD Bank.

iii. Copy of bank statements from last 6 months from Canadian visa card from TD Bank belonging to my husband (beneficiary) for my (petitioner) use.

iv. Copy of the power attorney from my husband (beneficiary) to me (petitioner) provided for the sale of my property in Houston, USA.

v. Copy of the power attorney from my husband (beneficiary) to me (petitioner) provided for the purchase and financing of a property in Houston, USA.

vi. Copy of Health Care Dependent Summary from my husband’s employer in Canada, listing me and my daughter as beneficiaries for Medical and Dental benefits.

vii. Copy of Insurance Beneficiary Summary from my husband’s employer in Canada, listing me and my daughter as beneficiaries for Life and Accidental Death benefits.

viii. Screenshot of Personal Coverage Overview from Manulife (Insurance provider from my husband’s employer) listing me and my daughter as beneficiaries for Extended Health Care and Dental benefits.

ix. Screenshot of info from OMERS (Pension plan from my husband’s employer) listing me and my daughter as beneficiaries for retirement benefits.

x. Copy of the internet service bill in Canada for last 6 months showing my (petitioner) name and our joint address in Canada.

Copies of the documents submitted are photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I or my husband may be required to submit or present original documents to an immigration or consular officer at a later date.

I kindly request you to process the above petition and to provide the receipt notice as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns on the above matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at the address below.

Thank you,

<NAME> (SSN <NUMBER>)

<ADDRESS>

<ADDRESS>

Cell: <NUMBER>

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Edited August 12, 2016 by azeemguy

[Max! 10]

Looks good any affidavit of family and friends about your relationship will help you as well.

[azeemguy 4]

Looks good any affidavit of family and friends about your relationship will help you as well.

Thanks for the feedback. You are right, affidavits are good to have and it was not a big issue for me but I was doing some research and found out that they can be omitted as long as there are other stronger evidences available.

[arken 4,197]

Your package looks good to go.

[Ryan H 3,795]

I lined out one item and indicated in bold and red that it is not needed.

Hello folks,

So I helped my wife to assemble the I-130 package for my IR1 visa and I believe we are ready to mail it in. Before we send it, I wanted honest feedback from the lovely community here on my cover letter and contents. Please have a look at it :

####################### START ​#######################

To: USCIS
ATTN: I-130
PO Box 21700
Phoenix, AZ 85036

<DATE>

Subject : I-130 Petition for spouse <NAME> (Original Submission)

Applicant/Petitioner : <NAME>

Beneficiary : <NAME>

Dear Sir/Madam:

I, <NAME>, a citizen of the United States, would like to file a petition I-130 for my spouse, <NAME>.

Please note that I (petitioner) was also known as “<NAME>” and “<NAME>” during my first marriage but after my divorce I have been using my maiden name “<NAME>”. The correct name reflects on my current unexpired U.S. passport, divorce decree and current marriage certificate and copies have been attached as proof.

In addition, please also note that beneficiary used his father’s name “<NAME>” as his family name and “<NAME>” as his first name when he first came to Canada for studies. That was corrected once he immigrated to Canada and his name was truncated to “<NAME>” as first name and “<NAME>” as last name. He has his current full name “<NAME>” on all his identification documents such as passport, drivers’ license, health insurance card and social insurance card etc. Copy of beneficiary’s unexpired Canadian Passport has been attached as proof.

Please find enclosed the required and supporting documents, presented in the following order:

1. Personal check in the amount of $420 for I-130 filing fee.

2. Completed and signed form G-1145.

3. Completed and signed form I-130, petition for spouse.

4. Completed and signed form G-325A (petitioner).

5. Two (2) passport style photos of petitioner.

6. Completed and signed form G-325A (beneficiary).

7. Two (2) passport style photos of beneficiary.

8. Copy of petitioner’s unexpired U.S. passport no. <NUMBER> to establish citizenship.

9. Copy of beneficiary’s unexpired Canadian passport no. <NUMBER>. Not needed

10. Copy of our marriage certificate.

11. Copy of my (petitioner) divorce decree.

12. Evidence of bona fide marriage:

A. Relationship Summary.

B. Photographs evidence:

i. 60 miscellaneous photos of petitioner and beneficiary when they both visited each other. Includes court marriage photos. Pictures are in reverse chronological order.

C. Travel evidence:

i. Travel history of beneficiary to USA for the past 5 years (in reverse chronological order).

1. Trip 1 – From 23 May 2016 to 30 May 2016: Itinerary, boarding passes.

2. Trip 2 – From 18 Mar 2016 to 25 Mar 2016: Itinerary, boarding passes.

3. Trip 3 – From 02 Oct 2015 to 10 Oct 2015: Itinerary, boarding passes.

4. Trip 4 – From 18 Apr 2015 to 25 Apr 2015: Itinerary, boarding passes.

5. Trip 5 – From 05 Dec 2014 to 12 Dec 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes.

6. Trip 6 – From 22 Nov 2014 to 24 Nov 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes.

7. Trip 7 – From 01 Aug 2014 to 07 Aug 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes.

8. Trip 8 – From 03 May 2014 to 18 May 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes.

9. Trip 9 – From 15 Mar 2014 to 23 Mar 2014: Itinerary, boarding passes, shuttle receipt.

10. Trip 10 – From 11 Jan 2014 to 19 Jan 2014: Itinerary, boarding pass.

11. Trip 11 – From 19 Sep 2013 to 01 Oct 2013: Itinerary, boarding passes.

12. Trip 12 – From 01 Jun 2013 to 08 Jun 2013: Itinerary, boarding passes, shuttle receipt.

13. Trip 13 – From 16 Jan 2013 to 22 Jan 2013: Itinerary, boarding passes.

14. Trip 14 – From 24 Oct 2012 to 30 Oct 2012: Itinerary, boarding passes.

15. Trip 15 – From 06 Jan 2012 to 13 Jan 2012: Itinerary, boarding passes.

16. Trip 16 – From 31 Aug 2011 to 06 Sep 2011: Itinerary, boarding passes.

ii. Copies of two travel itineraries of petitioner’s and her daughter’s travel to Canada.

1. Trip 1 – From 20 Jan 2007 to 28 Jan 2007: Itinerary (petitioner’s first visit).

2. Trip 2 – From 25 Dec 2015 to 01 Jan 2016: Itinerary (petitioner and her daughter’s most recent visit).

D. Communication evidence:

i. Copy of Skype call logs for last 6 months when my husband (beneficiary) called me (petitioner).

ii. Copies of some courier airway bills we used to send each other greeting cards/gifts.

E. Financial co-mingling evidence:

i. Copy of bank statements from last 6 months from our joint checking account in USA from Bank of America.

ii. Copy of bank statements from last 6 months from our joint checking account in Canada from TD Bank.

iii. Copy of bank statements from last 6 months from Canadian visa card from TD Bank belonging to my husband (beneficiary) for my (petitioner) use.

iv. Copy of the power attorney from my husband (beneficiary) to me (petitioner) provided for the sale of my property in Houston, USA.

v. Copy of the power attorney from my husband (beneficiary) to me (petitioner) provided for the purchase and financing of a property in Houston, USA.

vi. Copy of Health Care Dependent Summary from my husband’s employer in Canada, listing me and my daughter as beneficiaries for Medical and Dental benefits.

vii. Copy of Insurance Beneficiary Summary from my husband’s employer in Canada, listing me and my daughter as beneficiaries for Life and Accidental Death benefits.

viii. Screenshot of Personal Coverage Overview from Manulife (Insurance provider from my husband’s employer) listing me and my daughter as beneficiaries for Extended Health Care and Dental benefits.

ix. Screenshot of info from OMERS (Pension plan from my husband’s employer) listing me and my daughter as beneficiaries for retirement benefits.

x. Copy of the internet service bill in Canada for last 6 months showing my (petitioner) name and our joint address in Canada.

Copies of the documents submitted are photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I or my husband may be required to submit or present original documents to an immigration or consular officer at a later date.

I kindly request you to process the above petition and to provide the receipt notice as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns on the above matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at the address below.

Thank you,

<NAME> (SSN <NUMBER>)

<ADDRESS>

<ADDRESS>

Cell: <NUMBER>

####################### END ​#######################

Looks good any affidavit of family and friends about your relationship will help you as well.

Affidavits carry little to zero weight in the overall evaluation of a file, with the evidence the OP has, they are definitely not needed.

[azeemguy 4]

Thanks everybody for their feedback. It helped a lot. I think we are ready to send our package and will mail it next week. Fingers crossed now !