Married on a Tourist Visa

[bradoony 54]

Hi all ; I'm going to assemble all my packets together. Can somebody provide me with a good / up-to-date cover letter to follow??

[Rocio0010 5,565]

2 hours ago, bradoony said:

Hi all ; I'm going to assemble all my packets together. Can somebody provide me with a good / up-to-date cover letter to follow??

We used this template : https://citizenpath.com/faq/sample-i-485-cover-letter/

The only thing we did different was that we included a bulleted list of the supporting documents underneath each form. This was especially helpful when we did the final check on the package, because if we had 8 bullet points, that meant we were supposed to have 8 supporting documents.

Remember to use under tabs for everything.

[HRQX 4,145]

In general, send the following four packets in the same envelope:

• I-130 with I-130A and copy of marriage certificate, filing fees, etc.;
• I-485 with  I-864 and supporting documents, I-944 and supporting documents, electronic I-94 copy, filing fees, etc.;
• I-765 with electronic I-94 copy, etc.; and
• I-131 with electronic I-94 copy, etc.

You'll separate each packet with rubber bands or fasteners: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-information/form-filing-tips

On the I-130 packet, I-130 payment method (check, money order, or Form G-1450) must be the very first item of this packet.

On the I-485 packet, I-485 payment method (check, money order, or Form G-1450) must be the very first item of this packet.

[bradoony 54]

6 hours ago, ra0010 said:

We used this template : https://citizenpath.com/faq/sample-i-485-cover-letter/

The only thing we did different was that we included a bulleted list of the supporting documents underneath each form. This was especially helpful when we did the final check on the package, because if we had 8 bullet points, that meant we were supposed to have 8 supporting documents.

Remember to use under tabs for everything.

Thank you. We will follow this tempate 

[bradoony 54]

two questions: 1. How far back did you provide bank statements (ex. 6 months, 1 year?)

 

2.  I have a checking account with money in it. My mothers names is also on the statement as an authorized user. I make enough money for the federal poverty guidelines. My question is if her name is on the statement as an authorized user do I need to include as part of the household for the 944, even though she makes no financial contributions?

 

 

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, bradoony said:

if her name is on the statement as an authorized user do I need to include as part of the household for the 944

Not needed to include her.

[bradoony 54]

My wife's visa was hand writen at the port of entry with the wrong visa exp. date. The I-944 has the correct expiration day (which is a month longer than what the actual visa says). The guy added wrong and wrote the wrong month. Will that be an issue?

[Boiler 43,446]

No

[bradoony 54]

Couple questions: How many G-1145's do i need to attach and how many passport photos do i need to include?

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, bradoony said:

How many G-1145's do i need to attach

At least 2 G-1145 (1 for I-130 and 1 for I-485). It's optional to also include 1 for I-765 and 1 for I-131.

1 hour ago, bradoony said:

how many passport photos do i need to include?

I-130: 2 passport-type photos of you (the US citizen) and 2 passport-type photos of your wife

I-485: 2 passport-type photos of your wife

I-765: 2 passport-type photos of your wife

I-131: 2 passport-type photos of your wife

[bradoony 54]

12 hours ago, HRQX said:

At least 2 G-1145 (1 for I-130 and 1 for I-485). It's optional to also include 1 for I-765 and 1 for I-131.

I-130: 2 passport-type photos of you (the US citizen) and 2 passport-type photos of your wife

I-485: 2 passport-type photos of your wife

I-765: 2 passport-type photos of your wife

I-131: 2 passport-type photos of your wife

even though i am filing concurrently is still need to provide that many passport photos?

[bradoony 54]

also can I pay the filing fee? personal check?

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, bradoony said:

even though i am filing concurrently is still need to provide that many passport photos?

Yes, to avoid a potential RFE. If you have a Costco membership, their prices are lower for passport photos than stores like Walgreens.

59 minutes ago, bradoony said:

also can I pay the filing fee? personal check?

Yes, they accept personal checks; "Personal checks must be pre-printed with your name and your bank’s name. Your address and phone number must be pre-printed, typed, or written in ink." https://www.uscis.gov/forms/paying-uscis-fees

You'll submit 2 checks. Each check should be the very first thing in its respective packet.

• 1 for I-130 fee. The amount is $535.00. On the Memo line write "I-130 petition fee"
• 1 for I-485 fees. The amount is $1225.00. On the Memo line write "I-485 application and biometric services fee."

 

Also, note that USCIS has a credit card payment option. So if you have a credit card with a good rewards program I recommend paying with credit card. https://www.uscis.gov/forms/pay-a-credit-card In that scenario, it'll be 2 Form G-1450.

• On the G-1450 for I-130 packet put I-130 Petitioner's name in the first row. G-1450 must be the very first page of this packet.

• On the G-1450 for I-485 packet put I-485 Applicant's name in the first row. G-1450 must be the very first page of this packet.

Edited June 20, 2020 by HRQX

[bradoony 54]

8 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Yes, to avoid a potential RFE. If you have a Costco membership, their prices are lower for passport photos than stores like Walgreens.

Yes, they accept personal checks; "Personal checks must be pre-printed with your name and your bank’s name. Your address and phone number must be pre-printed, typed, or written in ink." https://www.uscis.gov/forms/paying-uscis-fees

You'll submit 2 checks. Each check should be the very first thing in its respective packet.

• 1 for I-130 fee. The amount is $535.00. On the Memo line write "I-130 petition fee"
• 1 for I-485 fees. The amount is $1225.00. On the Memo line write "I-485 application and biometric services fee."

 

Also, note that USCIS has a credit card payment option. So if you have a credit card with a good rewards program I recommend paying with credit card. https://www.uscis.gov/forms/pay-a-credit-card In that scenario, it'll be 2 Form G-1450.

• On the G-1450 for I-130 packet put I-130 Petitioner's name in the first row. G-1450 must be the very first page of this packet.

• On the G-1450 for I-485 packet put I-485 Applicant's name in the first row. G-1450 must be the very first page of this packet.

OK thanks. For my cover letter, I included everything together. Is it okay to bind everything together with my prong fastener and just combine the two checks together?

 

Or must I do two separate cover letters and two packets binded separately?

[HRQX 4,145]

3 minutes ago, bradoony said:

two packets binded separately?

Make sure the four packets (I-130, I-485, I-765, and I-131) are clearly separated: "If you are sending more than one case in an envelope, clearly separate the cases by rubber band or fasteners." https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-information/form-filing-tips

5 minutes ago, bradoony said:

For my cover letter, I included everything together.

That's fine as cover letter is optional.