Importance of NOA2

[gkyhdjr 2]

Hello! I posted a question similar to this, but there wasn't any answers on it, and I've also had some updates since then. I am just curious, how important are the Notice of Actions? I lost my NOA2, and I thought I had scanned it in somewhere, but it is no where to be found. I contacted the USCIS and they gave me a link to a form. The form wasn't necessarily for getting a second NOA2, but it was general form for receiving things - if that makes sense. However, the filing fee for the form was almost $500. If the NOA2 is really, really important to have to send to my fiancé then I will pay it. But if its just something to send to your fiancé for record keeping or something like that, then I won't bother. So my question is, is the NOA2 important for something after a petition leaves the NVC? 

[powerpuff 5,905]

A need for a NOA2 scan comes during AOS when you need to include a copy of it in your application. However, a search on VJ indicates that people have overcome this by including other things as a replacement.

[gkyhdjr 2]

5 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

A need for a NOA2 scan comes during AOS when you need to include a copy of it in your application. However, a search on VJ indicates that people have overcome this by including other things as a replacement.

What other things, if you could give me some examples? On the USCIS website they have my petition as "approved", could I take a screenshot of that? Or would that not be good enough? 

[powerpuff 5,905]

5 minutes ago, gkyhdjr said:

What other things, if you could give me some examples? On the USCIS website they have my petition as "approved", could I take a screenshot of that? Or would that not be good enough? 

 

 

[gkyhdjr 2]

8 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

 

 

Thank you so much! Those have helped put my mind at ease

[Scandi 3,970]

NOA2 isn't a requirement, it's just something someone added to the VJ guide. Without an approved i-129f there wouldn't be a K-1 visa in the first place, so I don't see the need to send a copy of the approval notice with the AOS package. 

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

1 hour ago, Scandi said:

NOA2 isn't a requirement, it's just something someone added to the VJ guide. Without an approved i-129f there wouldn't be a K-1 visa in the first place, so I don't see the need to send a copy of the approval notice with the AOS package. 

It isn't something that someone at VJ just made up and added to the guides here. It is stated in the actual I-485 instructions.

 

"If you are filing as a beneficiary of an immigrant petition, you generally must submit a photocopy of Form I-797, Approval Notice

...

If you are filing as a principal applicant and your immigrant category allows you to file Form I-485 before your petition is approved, you may submit your Form I-485 together with: A.  Your immigrant petition; or B.  A photocopy of Form I-797, Receipt Notice, for your immigrant petition. "

[Scandi 3,970]

11 minutes ago, KayDeeCee said:

It isn't something that someone at VJ just made up and added to the guides here. It is stated in the actual I-485 instructions.

 

"If you are filing as a beneficiary of an immigrant petition, you generally must submit a photocopy of Form I-797, Approval Notice

...

If you are filing as a principal applicant and your immigrant category allows you to file Form I-485 before your petition is approved, you may submit your Form I-485 together with: A.  Your immigrant petition; or B.  A photocopy of Form I-797, Receipt Notice, for your immigrant petition. "

But the petition is approved.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

6 minutes ago, Scandi said:

But the petition is approved.

It is, and may seem silly and redundant, but that's paperwork for ya. There are other ways to prove your petition was approved, but it is still under the requirements for the form.

 

The documentation checklist states this:

'Documentation of immigrant category, such as a copy of Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the Form I-130 filed on your behalf (unless you are filing your Form I-485 with the Form I-130 filed on your behalf)'

 

So, even for those that are married and filing after their I-130 petition has been approved, they still need the receipt notice. K-1 doesn't file with/have/use I-130, so use receipt notice from their approved I-129F petition plus marriage certificate to prove they married within 90 days of US entry.

 

This is from the I-485 instructions:

What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485?

...

5. Documentation of Your Immigrant Category (see Part 2., Item Numbers 1.a. - 1.g. of Form I-485)

 

All Form I-485 applicants must submit evidence showing that they are eligible for adjustment of status in a particular immigrant category.

 

Filing as a Beneficiary of an Immigrant Petition

...

B. A photocopy of Form I-797, Receipt Notice, for your immigrant petition.

[payxibka 10,044]

49 minutes ago, Scandi said:

But the petition is approved.

They simply want proof of the underlying petition case number.  This can be accomplished with NOA1 or NOA2