Another question related to two common quirks of online I-130 + I-130A

[ah-no 27]

Hello — I’ve heard conflicting reports of the following issue:

When filing the i-130 online, the language is different compared to the instructions of the paper version. Paper version asks for two 2x2 photos of spouse, digital asks for one. Paper version says it’s not required if spouse is in USA, digital version is quiet on this. 
 

Here’s my real question: since we’re just scanning and uploading them, will it HURT us if we just go ahead and add the 2x2 photos for my spouse. 
 

i have the exact same question about the I-130A — would signing and dating it HURT us? Perhaps by indicating she’s in the USA somehow? (This one is more literal about the requirement, but nonetheless, it’s not particular difficult to get the signature and would be somewhat reassuring. The thing is, I had to print the doc off and write on it for some fields anyway, so it just looks like she could’ve done that and forgot to sign, imo.) 

 

it’s not particularly a big deal for us to do this, and I guess RFE would be rare on the second point. But I’m wondering. 
 

thanks everyone. 

[mamba69 38]

17 minutes ago, ah-no said:

Hello — I’ve heard conflicting reports of the following issue:

When filing the i-130 online, the language is different compared to the instructions of the paper version. Paper version asks for two 2x2 photos of spouse, digital asks for one. Paper version says it’s not required if spouse is in USA, digital version is quiet on this. 
 

Here’s my real question: since we’re just scanning and uploading them, will it HURT us if we just go ahead and add the 2x2 photos for my spouse. 
 

i have the exact same question about the I-130A — would signing and dating it HURT us? Perhaps by indicating she’s in the USA somehow? (This one is more literal about the requirement, but nonetheless, it’s not particular difficult to get the signature and would be somewhat reassuring. The thing is, I had to print the doc off and write on it for some fields anyway, so it just looks like she could’ve done that and forgot to sign, imo.) 

 

it’s not particularly a big deal for us to do this, and I guess RFE would be rare on the second point. But I’m wondering. 
 

thanks everyone. 

1) I have provided only two photos while filling out online. One 2x2 Photo of the petitioner and One 2x2 Photo of the beneficiary. 
2) Signing I-130A doesn't indicate that spouse is inside the U.S. You are confusing the rule that if the beneficiary is abroad, they are not required to sign I-130A but not required means it is up to you if you want to sign it or not.
3) One of the most important part to avoid unnecessary delays is to correctly indicate if the beneficiary intents to adjust status in the U.S or apply for an immigrant visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate; (This is located on Page 8). I have seen a lot of people making mistakes and filling both or putting adjustment of status while the beneficiary is abroad, and USCIS keeps the case and doesn't send it to NVC, so keep the focus on this part.

[JD2 55]

25 minutes ago, ah-no said:

Hello — I’ve heard conflicting reports of the following issue:

When filing the i-130 online, the language is different compared to the instructions of the paper version. Paper version asks for two 2x2 photos of spouse, digital asks for one. Paper version says it’s not required if spouse is in USA, digital version is quiet on this. 
 

Here’s my real question: since we’re just scanning and uploading them, will it HURT us if we just go ahead and add the 2x2 photos for my spouse. 
 

i have the exact same question about the I-130A — would signing and dating it HURT us? Perhaps by indicating she’s in the USA somehow? (This one is more literal about the requirement, but nonetheless, it’s not particular difficult to get the signature and would be somewhat reassuring. The thing is, I had to print the doc off and write on it for some fields anyway, so it just looks like she could’ve done that and forgot to sign, imo.) 

 

it’s not particularly a big deal for us to do this, and I guess RFE would be rare on the second point. But I’m wondering. 
 

thanks everyone. 

We filed by paper and my wife is abroad consular processing and she signed the I-130A and there was no issue.

[Marklor 7]

Just now, mamba69 said:

1) I have provided only two photos while filling out online. One 2x2 Photo of the petitioner and One 2x2 Photo of the beneficiary. 
2) Signing I-130A doesn't indicate that spouse is inside the U.S. You are confusing the rule that if the beneficiary is abroad, they are not required to sign I-130A but not required means it is up to you if you want to sign it or not.
3) One of the most important part to avoid unnecessary delays is to correctly indicate if the beneficiary intents to adjust status in the U.S or apply for an immigrant visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate; (This is located on Page 8). I have seen a lot of people making mistakes and filling both or putting adjustment of status while the beneficiary is abroad, and USCIS keeps the case and doesn't send it to NVC, so keep the focus on this part.

Hmm. There are no “pages” in the online form and the preview PDF seems to be kind of glitchy. If you’re talking about specifying a consulate, I specified Warsaw, Poland. 
 

she is abroad. But we have access to scanners and printers, of course. I am just asking if doing these things will hurt us. 
 

also on I-130a, on page 6, with additional information, should she sign and date here also?

Just now, JD2 said:

We filed by paper and my wife is abroad consular processing and she signed the I-130A and there was no issue.

Good to know, but we’ll be filing online. It seems a lot different, but I’ve already committed to this path, I suppose. 

[JD2 55]

2 minutes ago, Marklor said:

Good to know, but we’ll be filing online. It seems a lot different, but I’ve already committed to this path, I suppose. 

But isn't the I-130A scanned and uploaded online just like the paper filing?  Also, seems like beneficiary signing it would be the same in either case.

[Marklor 7]

Just now, JD2 said:

But isn't the I-130A scanned and uploaded online just like the paper filing?  Also, seems like beneficiary signing it would be the same in either case.

I thought when filing by paper you used the original hard copy documents. 

[JD2 55]

Just now, Marklor said:

I thought when filing by paper you used the original hard copy documents. 

You fill it out on paper and mail it in vs. fill it out on paper and scan it.  Doesn't seem that different to me.  And, to your issue about the signature saying something about her location, I feel it addresses it.

[Marklor 7]

1 minute ago, JD2 said:

You fill it out on paper and mail it in vs. fill it out on paper and scan it.  Doesn't seem that different to me.  And, to your issue about the signature saying something about her location, I feel it addresses it.

Well it is different because if your spouse is abroad it implies she mailed some master docs to the petitioner, who then mailed docs to the consulate or applied there direct. 
 

With scanning, it’s a lot of time saved but it’s a copy, not the original. 
 

as for the final bit about her location, that is a fair point. 

Edited October 25, 2022 by Marklor

[JD2 55]

1 minute ago, Marklor said:

Well it is different because if your spouse is abroad it implies she mailed some master docs to the petitioner, who then mailed docs to the consulate or applied there direct. 
 

With scanning, it’s a lot of time saved but it’s a copy, not the original. 

I wouldn't overthink it.  My spouse signed it because my spouse could and we thought it's a good look to show direct involvement by the beneficiary.  But I doubt it matters at all tbh.

Edited October 25, 2022 by JD2

[Marklor 7]

Just now, JD2 said:

I wouldn't overthink it.  My spouse signed it because my spouse could and we thought it's a good look to show direct involvement by the beneficiary.  But I doubt it matters at all tbh.

Fair enough. What about the last page for additional information? Should it be signed and dated?

[JD2 55]

13 minutes ago, Marklor said:

Fair enough. What about the last page for additional information? Should it be signed and dated?

We didn't.  It doesn't ask for any signature or date.  Just fill it out as indicated.

[Marklor 7]

4 minutes ago, JD2 said:

We didn't.  It doesn't ask for any signature or date.  Just fill it out as indicated.

That page does ask for that though and I am trying to do due diligence in order to fill out as intended. Attaching the relevant image. 

[JD2 55]

18 minutes ago, Marklor said:

That page does ask for that though and I am trying to do due diligence in order to fill out as intended. Attaching the relevant image. 

We didn't sign and date.  We took that to mean if you "attach a separate sheet of paper" to add additional information rather than make copies of that page.

[Marklor 7]

Just now, JD2 said:

We didn't sign and date.  We took that to mean if you "attach a separate sheet of paper" to add additional information rather than make copies of that page.

Yes, that’s an understandable interpretation as well, but I felt the way the paragraph was structured did not make explicit or not if “each” sheet included the primary additional information sheet. Hence, my question. 
 

I was concerned that by signing the other page, it would then obligate us to sign this page, whereas an absence of signatures of page 3 and page 6 would have been equally acceptable, (both or none, essentially.) trying to be careful here. 

[Kanja 201]

8 hours ago, Marklor said:

That page does ask for that though and I am trying to do due diligence in order to fill out as intended. Attaching the relevant image. 

Since the section is titled “additional information”, I believe they are requesting a signature and date on each page that you needed that required additional page. This is common on most USCIS forms, have never signed the other pages and never had any problems.