Is a short story worthwhile?

[EastMeetsWest2018 9]

Okay, last question I have before I submit my I-130.

 

Is a short story/summary of how we met, how I proposed, what we enjoy to do in our day to day life and our future plans in the USA and why we want to move from Singapore to USA worthwhile? I believe something similar is needed or suggested for K1s.

 

Also, maybe a stupid question and I've read many people who have asked this with conflicting responses. Is it okay to leave questions blank on the I-130 form itself? I know the instructions encourage answering all questions or putting N/A (often you can't use a '/' so either handwritten or just NA I guess?). However, I see example forms (even sponsored by this site) leaving questions blank.

 

Examples:

-My wife has no middle name. Should we leave it blank or place N/A?

-We have no A-Number, should I place N/A? Or since it has the caveat of "if any", do I leave it blank?

-We both have had only one spouse and we are currently married. Do we leave "Date Marriage Ended" empty? Do I place N/A for Spouses 2 when I noted that I was married once? Do I put N/A for each field related to spouse 2?

-Persons 1 through 5 for Beneficiary's spouse and children: Obviously I am Person 1, do I put N/A or leave blank the spaces for Persons 2 through 5?

 

Thanks for your help. Looking forward to finally submitting!

[Amit&Julie 180]

I did a K1, but I think the short story/summation I wrote and included with our I-129F application was helpful, especially as an up-front opportunity to explain the peculiar circumstances around how we met, what we have in common, etc. to paint a picture of how our relationship is genuine. I would recommend it.

[pushbrk 13,636]

An evolution of relationship letter is a nice touch but really not necessary for people already living together abroad.

 

Also understand that just because an answer is "NONE" does not mean the question is not applicable.  "No Middle Name" is what you type when there is no middle name because the word NONE actually is a name in more than one language.

 

Second, once you've answered "NONE" to say the family name of a former spouse, (for example) indicating there are no former spouses, all other questions about former spouse or spouses are rendered not applicable and can simply be left blank.  The new forms don't allow some spaces to be filled out at all once certain boxes are checked.  USCIS just hasn't bothered to conform their instructions to the updated versions of the forms that actually don't allow those instructions to be followed.  Use common sense.

[EastMeetsWest2018 9]

2 hours ago, pushbrk said:

An evolution of relationship letter is a nice touch but really not necessary for people already living together abroad.

 

Also understand that just because an answer is "NONE" does not mean the question is not applicable.  "No Middle Name" is what you type when there is no middle name because the word NONE actually is a name in more than one language.

 

Second, once you've answered "NONE" to say the family name of a former spouse, (for example) indicating there are no former spouses, all other questions about former spouse or spouses are rendered not applicable and can simply be left blank.  The new forms don't allow some spaces to be filled out at all once certain boxes are checked.  USCIS just hasn't bothered to conform their instructions to the updated versions of the forms that actually don't allow those instructions to be followed.  Use common sense.

But if I put NONE for spouse family name... NONE could be a name :). 

 

I know you say to use common sense but common sense would have me leave fields like middle name blank.  The example from visajourney itself does this:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/examples/

Is it acceptable to leave blank boxes where the instructions say: "if any"? E.g. other names used.

[pushbrk 13,636]

3 hours ago, EastMeetsWest2018 said:

But if I put NONE for spouse family name... NONE could be a name :). 

 

I know you say to use common sense but common sense would have me leave fields like middle name blank.  The example from visajourney itself does this:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/examples/

Is it acceptable to leave blank boxes where the instructions say: "if any"? E.g. other names used.

Sure.  But if you only enter family name and no first or last name or other information, NONE will not be misunderstood.  Right????

[EastMeetsWest2018 9]

On 25/04/2018 at 11:34 AM, pushbrk said:

Sure.  But if you only enter family name and no first or last name or other information, NONE will not be misunderstood.  Right????

Wouldn't spouse #2 and onward be N/A due to answering "1" in  question 16: "How many times have you been married"?

 

Also,  for questions that are prefaced with: "... if any", is it safe to leave those blank? Or is N/A the more appropriate response?

[ms_bobdog 501]

2 hours ago, EastMeetsWest2018 said:

Wouldn't spouse #2 and onward be N/A due to answering "1" in  question 16: "How many times have you been married"?

 

Also,  for questions that are prefaced with: "... if any", is it safe to leave those blank? Or is N/A the more appropriate response?

I will just tell you, I wrote 'N/A' for questions that don't apply, or simply drew a line across the box if I had none of what was asked for. I didn't get an RFE.

[pushbrk 13,636]

35 minutes ago, ms_bobdog said:

I will just tell you, I wrote 'N/A' for questions that don't apply, or simply drew a line across the box if I had none of what was asked for. I didn't get an RFE.

What "worked for me" and what is "best practice" are not the same thing.  Take your pick.

[EastMeetsWest2018 9]

16 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

What "worked for me" and what is "best practice" are not the same thing.  Take your pick.

Well considering that the instructions aren't consistent with the form attributes, reputable sites with example I-130 forms have conflicting ways of being filled out with each other and the I-130 instructions (including this site), and the questions themselves are subjective if they are applicable or not.... I would say it pretty much is "Take your pick".