Forum Responses

[WhoDaDaddy]

Well after reviewing websites and forums such as these we finally submitted an AOS package. I intend to update my experiences as time goes by as to the communications sent and received to give people a better understanding of possible timescales.
Also any pitfalls that occur and where I could have done things better.
I have found that so many people have come on here and just posted the fact they have finally received a GC.
The fact they have been successful through the process made me think that at the very least they could answer some of the simpler questions (that don't require expert knowledge of the law).
This helps those struggling and eases the tension as it can be fraught as no one wants to make a mistake and find themselves in unnecessary hot water.
For that I say there are too many selfish people here who have taken a great deal but given nothing back (shame on you).
I myself have relied on rayb and other senior members but it's just as useful hearing from successful participants of the process on what worked for them.
No one is going to be silly enough and take it as legal advice but a helpful push in the right direction makes you think that at least your're on the right path, especially if more than one person concurs.

One final note is too many people are showing impatience at the process..... Understand what it is you are applying for! To post it's taking a few days longer than what you expected only clogs up the forum. It's better to send a post of you having had a delay and what you did to rectify or push things along and then the outcome of this rather than simply moaning this or that office is taking too long.

For all the genuine people out there I wish you good luck and may you prosper.

[rayb]

Whoda,

Good post with constructive advice.

After years of being involved with immigration procedures (petitioned my first wife in 1974 and current wife in 1990) and listening to problems others have had, the single most important advice I can offer is that "someone doing this for the first time have a second set of experienced eyes review their paperwork before submitting."

--Ray B

Well after reviewing websites and forums such as these we finally submitted an AOS package. I intend to update my experiences as time goes by as to the communications sent and received to give people a better understanding of possible timescales.
Also any pitfalls that occur and where I could have done things better.
I have found that so many people have come on here and just posted the fact they have finally received a GC.
The fact they have been successful through the process made me think that at the very least they could answer some of the simpler questions (that don't require expert knowledge of the law).
This helps those struggling and eases the tension as it can be fraught as no one wants to make a mistake and find themselves in unnecessary hot water.
For that I say there are too many selfish people here who have taken a great deal but given nothing back (shame on you).
I myself have relied on rayb and other senior members but it's just as useful hearing from successful participants of the process on what worked for them.
No one is going to be silly enough and take it as legal advice but a helpful push in the right direction makes you think that at least your're on the right path, especially if more than one person concurs.

One final note is too many people are showing impatience at the process..... Understand what it is you are applying for! To post it's taking a few days longer than what you expected only clogs up the forum. It's better to send a post of you having had a delay and what you did to rectify or push things along and then the outcome of this rather than simply moaning this or that office is taking too long.

For all the genuine people out there I wish you good luck and may you prosper.

[WhoDaDaddy]

Errors I have made in forms that could prove costly or not as the case may be.
I as the beneficiary have my details in the G 1145 form and not the petitioner which may be frowned upon (just didn't think about it)

Q21 on I-130 form regarding last address we lived together. As it's our current address we reside in I left the "to" date blank and explained separately why no date is inputted, I now here that I should have put the date we signed and posted the application rather than leave it blank as it becomes an incomplete form. I reasoned with myself that putting any date in that field would be a false statement as at the time of completing the document it would remain as our address beyond any date input, maybe trying to be too honest I don't know. I do realise all the firms are a catch all so are not designed with your specific circumstances in mind. (I did ask the forum but received no response)

On the I-131 Advance parole form I left the field blank on part 3 as could to make travel plans until approved. Again probably should not have left it blank even though I explained separately. (Again after asking advice from those successful in being granted parole, no one responded)

Not sure where I read it but the boxes for signatures are very tight, I tried to stay within the lines but who knows if they will accept any that come close to the line as apparently that is frowned upon in certain offices. (Again find this out after submitting documents)

I shall update as I remember more if my mistakes and just hope others can learn from them

Oh yes I'm not sure if this is a State specific thing but I could not find any place that would fill out a Money Order for more than a $1,000. As the I-485 has a total fee of $1,070 it caused last minute dashes to find alternative payment arrangements. (Advise having some personal cheques to hand!)

Will add more later and start a timeline of my activity which could be quite short if they reject it for any of the reasons above!!

[WhoDaDaddy]

Errors I have made in forms that could prove costly or not as the case may be.
I as the beneficiary have my details in the G 1145 form and not the petitioner which may be frowned upon (just didn't think about it)

Q21 on I-130 form regarding last address we lived together. As it's our current address we reside in I left the "to" date blank and explained separately why no date is inputted, I now here that I should have put the date we signed and posted the application rather than leave it blank as it becomes an incomplete form. I reasoned with myself that putting any date in that field would be a false statement as at the time of completing the document it would remain as our address beyond any date input, maybe trying to be too honest I don't know. I do realise all the firms are a catch all so are not designed with your specific circumstances in mind. (I did ask the forum but received no response)

On the I-131 Advance parole form I left the field blank on part 3 as could to make travel plans until approved. Again probably should not have left it blank even though I explained separately. (Again after asking advice from those successful in being granted parole, no one responded)

Not sure where I read it but the boxes for signatures are very tight, I tried to stay within the lines but who knows if they will accept any that come close to the line as apparently that is frowned upon in certain offices. (Again find this out after submitting documents)

I shall update as I remember more if my mistakes and just hope others can learn from them

Oh yes I'm not sure if this is a State specific thing but I could not find any place that would fill out a Money Order for more than a $1,000. As the I-485 has a total fee of $1,070 it caused last minute dashes to find alternative payment arrangements. (Advise having some personal cheques to hand!)

Will add more later and start a timeline of my activity which could be quite short if they reject it for any of the reasons above!!

I also signed the forms in black ink, may have been better in blue to distinguish them as original signatures as all my firms were black and white.. (This website recommends blue ink if you look at the h1b visa tabs but I saw it too late!). Not a deal breaker but would alieviate the scrutiny that officers may have to make). I believe I asked the forum the same question.

Another tip more for piece of mind is to take photographs of your package just before you post it. That way you can refer back in case you feel you forgot to add something to your package. Main things are usually the money orders / cheques or the sealed medical records envelope etc...

Have 2 copies of your submission to hand, you can take those along to your interview along with other documents that you might find useful. If requested you can then hand these over to further cement your proof. I do have 2 copies as a just in case scenario.

Ps I have heard absolutely nothing back as of yet other than the courier providing confirmation of delivery which was signed fir by a J Chyba who apparently receives quite a lot if these packs so at least I know it made it to the correct USCIS building!

[rayb]

Whoda,

Though I can't fault your points below, I handle these somewhat differently, but we seem to be thinking in the same direction.

1. All my forms are signed in black ink. Very light blue sometimes does not show well when scanned.
2. I scan entire package, and retain PDF copy on a flash drive that travels with me to different work stations.
3. The applicant can take a copy to her interview, but mainly for her own confidence. The interviewer usually has the original that was submitted right in front of him.
4. I don't bother with courier delivery for tracking and signature, but instead use standard Priority, which arrives in 2-3 days and is trackable, all for $6.45, but costs me only $5.75 with commercial postal pricing.

--Ray B

I also signed the forms in black ink, may have been better in blue to distinguish them as original signatures as all my firms were black and white.. (This website recommends blue ink if you look at the h1b visa tabs but I saw it too late!). Not a deal breaker but would alieviate the scrutiny that officers may have to make). I believe I asked the forum the same question.

Another tip more for piece of mind is to take photographs of your package just before you post it. That way you can refer back in case you feel you forgot to add something to your package. Main things are usually the money orders / cheques or the sealed medical records envelope etc...

Have 2 copies of your submission to hand, you can take those along to your interview along with other documents that you might find useful. If requested you can then hand these over to further cement your proof. I do have 2 copies as a just in case scenario.

Ps I have heard absolutely nothing back as of yet other than the courier providing confirmation of delivery which was signed fir by a J Chyba who apparently receives quite a lot if these packs so at least I know it made it to the correct USCIS building!

[WhoDaDaddy]

Whoda,

Though I can't fault your points below, I handle these somewhat differently, but we seem to be thinking in the same direction.

1. All my forms are signed in black ink. Very light blue sometimes does not show well when scanned.
2. I scan entire package, and retain PDF copy on a flash drive that travels with me to different work stations.
3. The applicant can take a copy to her interview, but mainly for her own confidence. The interviewer usually has the original that was submitted right in front of him.
4. I don't bother with courier delivery for tracking and signature, but instead use standard Priority, which arrives in 2-3 days and is trackable, all for $6.45, but costs me only $5.75 with commercial postal pricing.

--Ray B

Thanks rayb
I agree with you as I think it's more of a confidence thing to have a copy of the package for yourself and for me I also want to portray that I have taken this process seriously too.
Very good point on the scanning of documents and safe storage of important documents. Especially if you have a scanner that makes it easy to scan multiple pages very easily, so thanks for that.
As for postage I'm not as offay with the postal system here so went with something I knew. Luckily for me I only paid a couple of dollars more using FedEx and it arrived in time for first thing Monday morning having posted it Friday. Certainly wouldn't want to be paying $50+ to send it overnight! Like I was quoted at first!

Feel free to add anything else as I'm sure there are plenty of hints and tips that could prove useful. Then a tip sheet can be constructed that isn't really for the main pages of this website which give plenty of advice but more an aide memoir on the "mechanics" of filing the forms.

Thanks for the responses so far :-)