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adamj7

AOS -Do we need a cover letter?

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Hi all, We've filled out the i-485 (with i-864), i-765 and i-131 forms and done all the photo copying etc that goes along with it. My question is; Do we need to write a cover letter for the whole package? Is it a good idea to just write out who we are and what we're applying for etc? Or is that a bit of a waste of time and not needed?

 

Thanks in advance!

K1 NOA1: 2018-01-26

K1 NOA2: 2018-08-06

NVC received: 2018-09-04

K1 Interview: 2018-11-14

K1 Visa in hand: 2018-11-22

POE: 2018-12-13

SSN application: 2019-01-08

Marriage: 2019-01-18 (the best bit!)

SSN in hand: 2019-01-28

AOS application: 2019-01-31

EAD application: 2019-01-31

AP application: 2019-01-31

AOS NOA1: 2019-02-14 

EAD NOA1: 2019-02-14

AP NOA1: 2019-02-14

BIOMETRICS: 2019-03-04

AOS Interview: 2020-02-06

AOS approved: 2020-02-06

Green Card in Hand: 2020-02-20

ROC packet sent: 2021-12-08

ROC Biometrics: 2022-01-29

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2 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

Hi all, We've filled out the i-485 (with i-864), i-765 and i-131 forms and done all the photo copying etc that goes along with it. My question is; Do we need to write a cover letter for the whole package? Is it a good idea to just write out who we are and what we're applying for etc? Or is that a bit of a waste of time and not needed?

 

Thanks in advance!

I would highly recommend writing cover letters/table of contents for EACH form, not just the entire package.

The reason? The forms are not processed as a package and are shipped to different offices eventually. Once the I765 and I131are removed from the package and sent to their adjudicator, they will no longer have the "package" cover letter attached. If by chance the adjudicator loses a part of your form's documents they can alway look to the cover letter for each form to see that you did indeed send what they are looking for and will know to search for it if in fact it is on their desk somewhere. If it did not have a cover letter they could just assume you did not send it and send you and RFE/RFIE.

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Think of the EAD and AP as separate packages.  They all end up in different places.

March 2, 2018  Married In Hong Kong

April 30, 2018  Mary moves from the Philippines to Mexico, Husband has MX Permanent Residency

June 13, 2018 Mary receives Mexican Residency Card

June 15, 2018  I-130 DCF Appointment in Juarez  -  June 18, 2018  Approval E-Mail

August 2, 2018 Case Complete At Consulate

September 25, 2018 Interview in CDJ and Approved!

October 7, 2018 In the USA

October 27, 2018 Green Card received 

October 29, 2018 Applied for Social Security Card - November 5, 2018 Social Security Card received

November 6th, 2018 State ID Card Received, Applied for Global Entry - Feb 8,2019 Approved.

July 14, 2020 Removal of Conditions submitted by mail  July 12, 2021 Biometrics Completed

August 6, 2021 N-400 submitted by mail

September 7, 2021 I-751 Interview, Sept 8 Approved and Card Being Produced

October 21, 2021 N-400 Biometrics Completed  

November 30,2021  Interview, Approval and Oath

December 10, 2021 US Passport Issued

August 12, 2022 PHL Dual Nationality Re-established & Passport Approved 

April 6,2023 Legally Separated - Oh well

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
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22 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

Hi all, We've filled out the i-485 (with i-864), i-765 and i-131 forms and done all the photo copying etc that goes along with it. My question is; Do we need to write a cover letter for the whole package? Is it a good idea to just write out who we are and what we're applying for etc? Or is that a bit of a waste of time and not needed?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

My theory is your cover letter never makes it out of the mail room. The contractors put together a standard folder, deposit your check, launch the receipt before shipping out. The adjudicators would never see it if that is who you want to impress. 

 

 I quit doing cover letters and got approved for my 10 yr card and naturalization quite easily with no RFEs or delays.

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12 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

 

My theory is your cover letter never makes it out of the mail room. The contractors put together a standard folder, deposit your check, launch the receipt before shipping out. The adjudicators would never see it if that is who you want to impress. 

 

 I quit doing cover letters and got approved for my 10 yr card and naturalization quite easily with no RFEs or delays.

Okay - so maybe (as K1visaHopeful says) I should think of it more as a table of contents so things don't get lost. And I'll do one for each 'packet'

 

Thanks everyone - I'll type them up and attach them! You guys are great!

K1 NOA1: 2018-01-26

K1 NOA2: 2018-08-06

NVC received: 2018-09-04

K1 Interview: 2018-11-14

K1 Visa in hand: 2018-11-22

POE: 2018-12-13

SSN application: 2019-01-08

Marriage: 2019-01-18 (the best bit!)

SSN in hand: 2019-01-28

AOS application: 2019-01-31

EAD application: 2019-01-31

AP application: 2019-01-31

AOS NOA1: 2019-02-14 

EAD NOA1: 2019-02-14

AP NOA1: 2019-02-14

BIOMETRICS: 2019-03-04

AOS Interview: 2020-02-06

AOS approved: 2020-02-06

Green Card in Hand: 2020-02-20

ROC packet sent: 2021-12-08

ROC Biometrics: 2022-01-29

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
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17 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

Okay - so maybe (as K1visaHopeful says) I should think of it more as a table of contents so things don't get lost. And I'll do one for each 'packet'

 

Thanks everyone - I'll type them up and attach them! You guys are great!

 

I agree with the idea of including one for each section.  Also, think of the cover letter, as well as the descriptions of your photos, as a way to connect the narrative of your relationship.  it is a little extra space to emphasize or clarify what you are submitting and why, on top of adding the organizational element.

 

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17 hours ago, Jessica Donahue said:

 

I agree with the idea of including one for each section.  Also, think of the cover letter, as well as the descriptions of your photos, as a way to connect the narrative of your relationship.  it is a little extra space to emphasize or clarify what you are submitting and why, on top of adding the organizational element.

 

So I should be including photos of our relationship in the adjustment of status packet? I didn't see that anywhere

K1 NOA1: 2018-01-26

K1 NOA2: 2018-08-06

NVC received: 2018-09-04

K1 Interview: 2018-11-14

K1 Visa in hand: 2018-11-22

POE: 2018-12-13

SSN application: 2019-01-08

Marriage: 2019-01-18 (the best bit!)

SSN in hand: 2019-01-28

AOS application: 2019-01-31

EAD application: 2019-01-31

AP application: 2019-01-31

AOS NOA1: 2019-02-14 

EAD NOA1: 2019-02-14

AP NOA1: 2019-02-14

BIOMETRICS: 2019-03-04

AOS Interview: 2020-02-06

AOS approved: 2020-02-06

Green Card in Hand: 2020-02-20

ROC packet sent: 2021-12-08

ROC Biometrics: 2022-01-29

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mexico
Timeline
6 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

So I should be including photos of our relationship in the adjustment of status packet? I didn't see that anywhere

Hi @adamj7, don't worry, it's not required, and you will not receive an RFE for not including this info.  However, after researching on vj, I ended upfront-loading all of our packages with photos, mail, evidence of trips, etc. and had good results. 

 

From what I read, most people only do this if they expect their relationship to be in doubt for some reason.  I did it because it gave me the illusion of greater control.

 

I wish you lots of luck with your process!

 

 

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
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27 minutes ago, adamj7 said:

So I should be including photos of our relationship in the adjustment of status packet? I didn't see that anywhere

Take them to your interview as well as anything you acquire in both names between now and interview...bank accounts, leases, credit cards, utility bills. 

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I had three cover letters -- one for the overall package, one for the I-130, and one for the I-485 -- mostly because it served as a sort of table of contents/checklist for me to be sure I had included all of the evidence and supporting documents I intended to. It's not totally necessary, but it made me feel more confident in assembling my own package. 

Removal of Conditions

 

02/08/2021 — Received hard copy Reminder to File Form I-751 in mail (Notice Date: 02/04/2021, Priority Date: 02/03/2021) 

02/28/2021 — ROC window opens

05/05/2021 — Mailed ROC package (I-751) to Phoenix Lockbox

05/07/2021 [Day 1] — ROC package received at Phoenix Lockbox

05/21/2021 [Day 14] — Check for $680 cashed

05/24/2021 [Day 17] — Text notification received & hard copy NOA1 in mail from Vermont Service Center (Received Date: 05/07/2021, Notice Date: 05/20/2021)

06/01/2021 [Day 25] — Case updated to show fingerprints were taken

06/05/2021 [Day 29] — Hard copy biometrics waiver received in mail (Notice Date: 06/01/2021)

11/08/2021 [Day 185] — Hard copy NOA1 received in mail to extend validity from 18 months to 24 months (Notice Date: 11/01/2021)

12/10/2022 [Day 582] — New card is being produced

12/13/2022 [Day 585] — Case was approved 

12/17/2022 [Day 589] — Hard copy approval notice received in mail (Notice Date: 12/10/2022) and green card mailed

12/21/2022 [Day 593] — 10-year green card received 

 

Adjustment of Status

 

07/07/2018 -- Married

12/01/2018 -- Mailed AOS package (I-130/I-130A, I-485, I-864, I-765, I-131) to Chicago Lockbox

12/03/2018 [Day 1] — AOS package received at Chicago Lockbox

12/21/2018 [Day 18] — Biometrics notice received

01/02/2019 [Day 30] — Biometrics completed 

02/13/2019 [Day 72] — Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview

03/22/2019 [Day 109] — EAD/AP approved

03/29/2019 [Day 116] — EAD/AP combo card received

04/10/2019 [Day 128] — Interview was scheduled

05/21/2019 [Day 169] — AOS interview (approval pending review)

05/29/2019 [Day 177] — Case approved/new card is being produced

06/05/2019 [Day 184] — Green card received 

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