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Good point about not handling actual paper forms. And as a former government employee I can say that even within my agency the tendency was to convert everything to some sort of online repository for records and review. Considering what you said about not seeing the option in 2025, it wouldnt surprise me at all to learn that this hybrid method was a step in eliminating paper submissions in general.

So the "Hybrid" method, (which is what Im calling it), was super simple, and sure enough, combined the positive aspects of paper filing with the convenience, speed, and instant gratification of the online guided method. Each document I uploaded went through a quick review. The system even analyzed and then flagged my visa photo as having a thin black border line, which I was able to crop out quickly. It was also able to see that I had signed my petition, which means you still get some error-checking. It was painless and took 15 minutes, even with me doing a quick final review of each document. Seems like a great way to go if, like me, you want to know for sure exactly what your I-130 is going to look like, and, you want your photo albums and other bonafide evidence to go into the system without anyone touching it and exactly as you have organized it. I think the community should speak about filing methods in terms of there being actually three methods, as opposed to the binary online vs paper description. Either way, Im in, and relieved this part is over. Now I join The Great Wait!

I went looking for Youtubers who do those video guides about filing online and I couldnt find a single video prior to 2024 that showed the screen that allows you to choose between the online guide and the pdf upload. So I guess its a relatively new feature. It really seems like a best of both worlds scenario...where you get to control the complete I-130, eliminate any glitches, while preserving the ability to upload all supporting documents. I guess Ill find out....

Today I logged in to start my I-130 filing process and was kind of surprised to see that instead of going through the guided online process, I could just upload a completed I-130 pdf. Ive never seen anyone mention you could do this. Every time someone mentions filing online they seem to mean the guided step-by-step method. I know the guided method helps you along and "error-checks", but other than that is there any reason not to do the pdf upload? Is everything else the same, like upload directions for passport/marriage cert/I-130A, and then Additional Bonafide evidence? Do you still get the instant receipt? Ive read about glitches in the guided system but ultimately chose to file online because I didnt like losing control of how things would look if I sent the paper version for scanning. Now that I see you can upload a completed I-130 pdf, I wonder why no one mentions it. Seems like the happy medium between paper filing and the full guided online system. Thanks for any advice!

Thanks everyone for your replies, it helps alot!

Thanks for the confirmation. Regarding what you said about the rental house, would it still be okay to use the address in the "Where does the Beneficiary Intend to live" question? Because without any other definitive address, I could only put "To Be Determined Later", which doesnt sound that great... Thanks again!

Hello all, Ive just joined and started a timeline. Im in the pre I-130 stage and have a couple questions. My wife and I were married in Mexico and we will be going for Consular Processing in Juarez when the time comes. Specifics: Me: Petitioner, USC, retired, currently residing in Mexico with my wife. Its a border town with very easy access to US, and I maintain a US mailing address as well as all other financial close ties, including ownership of a rental house. Spouse: Mexican citizen, with no work/financial ties in US (other than a new-ish joint bank acct.). Has a long history of B2 visas and holds a current B2 visa (issued 2024) and has Sentri approval (for what that's worth) We have been together since 2015 and have no children, police records, overstayed visas, or any other complicating issue, so I feel like I could do this process myself. However, my Wife is understandably concerned about the process and in the interest of marital bliss, I went to interview with a person who prepares visa packages. When I mentioned to her that my current physical address is in Mexico, she immediately stated that I couldnt do that and if I didnt have a US address on the I-130, that it would be rejected. I felt sure that this wasnt accurate but just in case there was some mis-communication, I stated that I know I would need to put a US address in the Part 4, q.12a regarding the address where the Beneficiary INTENDS to live, but that I didnt need it for current physical address. When I explained I owned a rental house, she said I should use that address. When I explained that the tenants paid all rent and utilities and that I wouldnt have the gold-standard utility receipt with my name on it, she said I would need to create a lease document showing I could still live there by occupying some room or other part of the property. (Do what , now??) At this point I ended the interview. I am absolutely not going lie on any form in this process. Now, do I know with an absolute certainty that we will move to my rental house when the time comes? No. We may choose another place. But it is a viable option and I dont think it would be deceitful to list that address in the "Intent" question listed above, as it is the current default. My questions are: Is there any prohibition about starting the I-130 process while temporarily living with my wife in Mexico while the process plays out? Would it be advisable in the additional info section at the end to state that I am living abroad temporarily during the process and note my option of moving back to live in my rental house, or, would the fact that I already listed it under Part 4, 12a, Beneficiary Intent, remove the need for that? PS. I know, that in the post-NVC, Pre-Interview timeframe that I would have to have the US address locked down with adequate proof (utilities or lease agreements). Thank you.