Application Guidelines

[Oxford22]

Dear all,

I am recently married and my husband and I are about to apply for my green card, family based. I currently hold a H1-B visa that is valid until Dec 2019. I am looking for guidelines, websites, articles, videos to help us complete the process, avoid mistakes and make a beautiful file to send to USCIS on our own. We first wanted to hire a lawyer but how great would it be to save $2,000!

I am sorry if this question was already asked - please feel free to point me to potential other posts that answer it.

Thank you all in advance!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Dear all,

I am recently married and my husband and I are about to apply for my green card, family based. I currently hold a H1-B visa that is valid until Dec 2019. I am looking for guidelines, websites, articles, videos to help us complete the process, avoid mistakes and make a beautiful file to send to USCIS on our own. We first wanted to hire a lawyer but how great would it be to save $2,000!

I am sorry if this question was already asked - please feel free to point me to potential other posts that answer it.

Thank you all in advance!

Never apologize for asking how to file for adjustment of status the right way!

You will file these forms
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** *
(Cover letter for these 2)
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** *
(Cover letter for these 2)
I-485 Application to Register for Permanent Residence
I-864 Affidavit of Support
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
(Cover letter for these 2)
I-765 Application for Employment authorization *combo card
I-131 Application for travel document *combo card


I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record ***How soon your interview is scheduled, depends entirely upon your field office. So I would hold off on submitting the I-693 until you have an interview appointment already scheduled.

All your evidence is required at the time of filing. These two screenshots are from the I-130 instructions. *(see below)

This thread contains several links to other threads of people who did an excellent job presenting evidence of bona fide marriage to USCIS. Up until recently, it was not common knowledge that all evidence is required at the time of filing. Not everyone on that thread followed that direction. One person was issued a Notice of Intent to Deny for not following that direction. Let me be clear and fair. Ultimately, that person secured a green card for his son and wife. HOWEVER, it was a rough ride, and we all bit our nails waiting for their green cards.

https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php/239999-Links-Evidence-of-bona-fide-marriage-for-I-130-I-485-filing-amp-interview-tips

You will see several examples of Table of Contents. I am a huge fan of the Table of Contents put together by Emerald 2020. I would definitely follow the structure. She categorized her evidence into three main categories. It's brilliant. That was courtesy of cali2018. You may or may not have all the same kind of evidence. However, I strongly recommend getting an Advanced Health Care directive. Every married couple should have one. Look through the other examples of Table of Contents, print them and get ideas to put together yours.
You have been together for a long time. Especially if you are filing right after getting married, I recommend showing longevity. You don't want USCIS thinking you met last friday, married on Saturday and field on Monday. You show longevity in any way you can - text messages, receipts, pictures.

[Oxford22]

Never apologize for asking how to file for adjustment of status the right way!

You will file these forms
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** *
(Cover letter for these 2)
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** *
(Cover letter for these 2)
I-485 Application to Register for Permanent Residence
I-864 Affidavit of Support
**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****
(Cover letter for these 2)
I-765 Application for Employment authorization *combo card
I-131 Application for travel document *combo card


I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record ***How soon your interview is scheduled, depends entirely upon your field office. So I would hold off on submitting the I-693 until you have an interview appointment already scheduled.

All your evidence is required at the time of filing. These two screenshots are from the I-130 instructions. *(see below)

This thread contains several links to other threads of people who did an excellent job presenting evidence of bona fide marriage to USCIS. Up until recently, it was not common knowledge that all evidence is required at the time of filing. Not everyone on that thread followed that direction. One person was issued a Notice of Intent to Deny for not following that direction. Let me be clear and fair. Ultimately, that person secured a green card for his son and wife. HOWEVER, it was a rough ride, and we all bit our nails waiting for their green cards.

https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php/239999-Links-Evidence-of-bona-fide-marriage-for-I-130-I-485-filing-amp-interview-tips

You will see several examples of Table of Contents. I am a huge fan of the Table of Contents put together by Emerald 2020. I would definitely follow the structure. She categorized her evidence into three main categories. It's brilliant. That was courtesy of cali2018. You may or may not have all the same kind of evidence. However, I strongly recommend getting an Advanced Health Care directive. Every married couple should have one. Look through the other examples of Table of Contents, print them and get ideas to put together yours.
You have been together for a long time. Especially if you are filing right after getting married, I recommend showing longevity. You don't want USCIS thinking you met last friday, married on Saturday and field on Monday. You show longevity in any way you can - text messages, receipts, pictures.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you giving time to give me such a thorough and detailed answer! I feel like my experience here will be great.