Kittyfang

I am not an expert but i will say yes you are correct. I did my homework, so i am preety sure that's acurate.

1 picture for I-130, 1 picture of you, and one of your petitioner.

2 pictures for I-485

2 pictures for I-131

2 pictures for I-765

If you are filling some other forms other than the ones above then i would ask around some more.

Good luck!

Thank you! Those are the only ones we are filing (well, apart from affidavits of support.)

*edit*

Actually, we don't have I-131. hehe

Quick question regarding how many passport picture I will actually need. Last I read was 7 for myself (beneficiary) and one for my husband (petitioner).

(This is for AoS from inside the U.S.)

I have been reprinting everything, because we had signed everything 3 months ago. To make sure the cards are stacked in our favor, I decided to reprint and resign everything... Now, for some reason, my printer isn't being cooperative and is a little fussy. Everything is still readable and nothing is fuzzy. My issue is that the bottom of the page, where the "scan bars" are (I'm sorry, I don't know what they're called), well, my printer isn't being too nice on them. It's not really a big black block of ink, but it's not as detailed as they are online. Is this going to be an issue?

On the I-130, the question #15. Name and address of present employer (if any). Are they talking about the Beneficiary, or Petitioner? I was reviewing everything and I answered it as if they mean the beneficiary, but I'd like to double check.

You should pm user Kittyfang. She is also Canadian, she is going to file for AOS very soon and she had similar concerns by not having any proof of inpsection at the POE. You are not the only one!

Good luck!

As juliava stated, I haven't filed yet, but I am very close to doing so. So, my answer reflects what I've read only. As Canadians, we are often waved trough and receive no write proof of border crossing (no I-94). Most IOs seem to know this and will not make an issue of it. The worse case that I've read about was someone here on VJ, who recently went to her interview and was told that, while everything looked ok, the IO needed to check with her boss about having no I-94. I'm not sure what happened, but it would be a fair guess to say that everything probably worked out.

I see what you mean. Thank you very much for the tip. I will be spending some time carefully picking my words for the cover letter.

Hi Kitty,

Yes, you may include the fact that you don't have an I-94 (but I'm sure they know about Canadians not having it) and how did you guys meet. I wouldn't mention anything about overstaying as it's irrelevant in adjudicating your application.

Please double check every single form , make sure they are signed and dated.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey juliava!

Thank you for the reply! I'll do just that and hope for the best. At this point, I'm just wanting to mail it out and get it over with. I think we have a pretty good situation and I'm not really seeing anything that could cause a denial, but, here's knocking on wood!

I know that the cover page should have a list of the documents included, but I am wondering if, as a Canadian, it would be wise to write a note saying that I do not have an I-94 and explaining why (Canadians do not generally get an I-94). Secondly, should I add a note explaining how we met and why I overstayed?

In my own opinion, you can send a copy of her divorce decree or proof that she was then married and changed her name after divorce. Then explain why you included it. Doesn't hurt.

That is what I was thinking. Honestly, at this point, what's a few more papers... My package is already 3/4" thick.

She might be able to get a copy of her marriage certificate at the courthouse. They keep those on records, I'm sure.

Hey guys!

I asked this question before, but didn't really get an answer. So, I figured I would ask again before we send everything out.

Our co-sponsor was married (now divorced), so the last name on her tax papers (her married name) is not the one that is on her birth certificate (her maiden's name). Will that be an issue? I raised the question with her and she said that since they have her SSN, they will be able to see it's her... but that didn't make a lot of sense to me.

Can anyone give me some input regarding this, please?

They will not reject your AOS, but if it's mandatory they will send an RFE.

I agree, the terms used in that paragraph are a little bit confusing, as you probably noticed it says "you MAY send", not "you have to send".

The decision is yours, Kitty, as I said earlier - we did send a letter of employment, but we still don't know and will never know how important was that.

It's easy to get, so I will send one... well one for sponsor and co-sponsor. What did yours say? I'm guessing they just need to say where you work at and how long you've been there, etc.?

I've read the I-684 instructions and this is what it says

"A copy of your individual Federal income tax return, including W-2s for the most recent tax year, or a statement and/or evidence describing why you were not required to file. Also include a copy of each and every Form 1099,Schedule, and any other evidence of reported income. You may submit this information for the most recent three tax years , pay stub(s) from the most recent six months, and/or a letter from your employer if you believe any of these items will help you qualify."

We are already submitting tax returns and W2s. I am not sure what are Form 1099 and Schedule, but I haven't seen anything with a name like that in our paperwork, so I'm guessing it doesn't apply (I remember reading that it mostly concerns self employed people).

As you can see the letter from the employer is not "required" per say. My guess is that it concerns people who have just recently started a new job.

Can anyone confirm this?

I'm wondering. If it IS something we need. Will the send an RFE for it? Or will they simply reject our AoS?

Hi everyone,

So, we think we have everything on that checklist on my husband's appointment letter, but there is a question that says:

"All documentation establishing your eligibility for Lawful Permanent Resident Status"

What does this mean? What would count as documentation establishing his eligibility for LPR status, besides everything else listed that we're supposed to bring?

Thanks!

They probably mean the originals of what you sent as well as any other documents you might have received since you sent in your package. For example, maybe you used your EDA to get a SSN and you used that to get a joint account.

I've read the I-684 instructions and this is what it says

"A copy of your individual Federal income tax return, including W-2s for the most recent tax year, or a statement and/or evidence describing why you were not required to file. Also include a copy of each and every Form 1099,Schedule, and any other evidence of reported income. You may submit this information for the most recent three tax years , pay stub(s) from the most recent six months, and/or a letter from your employer if you believe any of these items will help you qualify."

We are already submitting tax returns and W2s. I am not sure what are Form 1099 and Schedule, but I haven't seen anything with a name like that in our paperwork, so I'm guessing it doesn't apply (I remember reading that it mostly concerns self employed people).

As you can see the letter from the employer is not "required" per say. My guess is that it concerns people who have just recently started a new job.

Can anyone confirm this?

Hey juliava!

Thank you for your input! Since we are having a co-sponsor, do you know if we need a letter from the co-sponsor's boss as well? I'm guessing all that's needed is just a confirmation that the person is working, right?

And we will be filing next week, if everything goes well! I can't wait!

Also, I do have a cover page, it's basically an itemized list with me reinforcing the point that I do not have an I-94 due to being Canadian.

Forgot to add; we also are adding 3 pages of pictures (2 per pages). Two pictures of our wedding and 4 pictures of us at various moment.

Hey guys!

I have the package ready to go and, would like to summit here what I have so you guys can tell me if you think I'm missing anything!

I do have a few questions and here they are (I've asked some before, but just think of them as "me making sure".)

- The paperwork has been done for quite some time and we signed the documents 3 months ago. Will they still accept them with a 3 month old signature?

- We do not have a lot of proof aside from what I've written down, but we will have a little more once I get the EAD, in the mean time, will it be enough?

_____________________

- 7 Passport pictures of beneficiary and 1 of petitioner

- G-1145 (Notification of Application Acceptance)

- I-693 (Medical)

- I-130

- G-325a

- Copy of petitioner's birth certificate

- Copy of Marriage certificate

- Copy of taxes for the past 3 years (Amended to change from Single to Married filing Jointly (our tax person had my husband file single because he didn't know about ITIN))

- Copy of electricity bill for the past 3 months showing both names

- Photocopy of our credit cards showing both names (we photocopied the actual cards and blocked the middle numbers and showed only the first and last four)

- Copy of internet bill for the past 3 months showing both names

- Copy of garbage bill for the past 6 months showing both names (the only send one every 3 months)

- Copy of letter from family member

- Copy of letter from friend

- I-485

- G-325a

- Copy of beneficiary's birth certificate

- Translation of beneficiary's birth certificate

- Copy of Marriage certificate

- I-684 (Petitioner's)

- Copy of taxes for the past year

- I-684 (Co-Sponsor's)

- Copy of taxes for the past three years

- I-765

- Copy of beneficiary's passport

- G-325a (x2)

Hey,do we have to get notarized letters from friends and family before an interview for AOS?

I thought we needed that during removal conditions for the GC.If yes, can we have a sample.

I checked VJ, but they only had it for removal conditions.

Thanks

I've seen people add a few with the AoS and others bring some at the interview. I don't think it's mandatory, but if you think it will help, you can bring it.

The officers at the Consulate in Montreal not only read VJ, but they have also matched member names to visa applications. There are a number of Canadians who have had this confirmed at their interviews. I can find you the link if you're interested.

Then we should ask them to volunteer someone to answer our questions all day long hehe!

While I believe that some officers may look up Facebook if they think it contains some info that is relevant to the case, I doubt that it's a practice for them to automatically scrutinize every single social website or Immigration Forum.

First, I'm sure they don't have the time or resources to pay someone to skim trough the endless sea of posts that are out there.

Second, why would they do it? As I said, they can look up something about a case they have; maybe someone mentioned "hey, him and I met on Facebook, trough his sister". The officer can look up Facebook to see if they can find and confirm that info, but why would they randomly look at immigration websites? Surely, we know that they are not confirming or denying information given by other members, and I doubt enough details are given here for them to pinpoint anyone, find where they live and act up on whatever information they found online.

A few months/years back, there was a member who said that they worked for USCIS. He was here with us because he was engaged to someone from another country. He was nice enough to answer questions (you can still find the "interview" somewhere on VJ) and he said that most people at USCIS are not aware of VJ, or if they are, they do not visit it.

@ Kittyfang - yes it would be lying - which makes me uncomfortable but the lawyers justification is "maybe damned if you do - definitely damned if you don't" - since our case will go into limbo if we file from New Jersey

Like Darnell said, when someone went trough the trouble, and expense of hiring a lawyer, it's best to follow their advice. ... Actually, since VJ's code of conduct clearly state that no member can condone lying, I think this is as honest an answer as you're gonna get.

@ Myopia - Yes - We will need to prove we live in NY and we have been advised to ask a friend if we can use their address including switch the NY friends utility bills over to our name. - update our driver license / tax records etc

Forgive my squirrely ignorance, but wouldn't that be lying, aka misrepresenting yourself? Aka, something that, if USCIS picks up on it, will get you denied and banned for life? (Not judging, honestly, asking)

That is insane.

Yay for progress!

I swear, I read someone say 6k one time.

$200 is cheap, mine was $350 without the vaccinations/TB test, my MIL did those, so thankfully I didn't have to pay for them, but where I went it would have been $700 for everything

I believe it! The shots and blood work quickly add up! I remember reading someone's post where they said, without joking, that they paid about a thousand... and that it was the norm!

Hurrray Kitty!!

Make sure you keep in touch with me! I want to know how you're doing!!

/starburst

I certainly will! It has been such a long road that the fears I had at the beginning are replaced by... trepidation! lol! I want it done and over with, yes! But also, I'm hoping that said fears were small and silly and that the massive amount of information I gathered in the pass year will help me believe that we should be ok. Again, my main issue is the overstay. I have no criminal record, I have no health issue, I have a lot of bills, tax returns, affidavits, etc. in both our names... All I'm hoping for is a nice IO and a short, positive interview!