a few questions about the application forms

[axa901]

I am on H1B visa and married a US citizen. I am preparing my documents to file for a Green Card. I decided to do the application myself and download all the forms (I-484, I-130, I-131, I-765, I-693, appdx-a_693vacc, I-864) I have a few very simple questions and I will appreciate your help with these.

Q1. How can I find my Alien Number? Before being on H1B visa, I had an EAD, which shows my Alien #. Is that number still valid (My EAD expired 2 years ago)?

Q2. for I-485: Which one is my "Nonimmigrant Visa number" on my H1B visa? There is one control number which has a character of crossed zeros several times. There is a red number printed on the visa without any sort of label. There is a P# (which i guess is the petition number).

Q3. Family name for my wife (who is a USC): she is in the process of changing her last name. We are thinking of using her new last name. Is that going to be okay?

Q4. for I-130: I-94 number: My I-94 has a 11 digit number (first 9 grouped together and then some space and then 2 digits). The space on the form has 3 spaces followed by a blackend box and then 8 spaces. Am I using the right I-94 number?

Q5. I-864: Household size (in part 5): I am getting counted twice: as the principal immigrant and also as the spouse, which is definitely not correct? What is the right way to fill this part of the form?

I know all of these are pretty small questions as compared to the other posts but I just want to make sure that I am doing everything correctly and I appreciate your help.

Thanks.

 

[axa901]

Oh, and one more final question: There are seems to be 4 different versions of the form for biographic information (G-325, G325a, G325b, and G325c). Are these different and which one do I need to fill.

Thanks.

 

[austriacus]

Small questions are ok because they tend to be easier to answer!

Q1: Yes, mention the alien number if you had EAD.

Q2: I believe it's the red number but don't remember for sure. Anyway, it's the one you don't expect it to be because it looks too simple.

Q3: Sure, that's ok. Probably best if she changes it with the SSA before you file. But your proof of her new last name, since it will probably not be consistent across all documents, is your wedding certificate.

Q4: Only count each person once, as the instructions say. In this case you're counted as the intending immigrant only, not as the spouse.

Final Q: You need to fill all of them. But Adobe will do it for you (it fills the three others in the background while you fill the first one). You need to submit all 4 of them, one set for I-130 and another set for I-485 and your wife needs a set of four for I-130.

In case you're wondering why there are 4 copies, I happenend upon a vintage G-325 application from the early 90s the other day and they actually used 4 copies with carbon copy and different color back then (and they go to different agencies). So I guess this is still a relic from the carbon copy days. It's remarkable that the I-130, I-485 etc. from 15 years ago looks and reads almost exactly the same as today.

 

[axa901]

This helps a lot. Thanks for your answers.

 

[axa901]

I have a few more minor questions:

I-485: Part 2, I am applying for an adjustment to permanent resident status because - ? I am getting confused with the wording in the options. The most likely answer seems “my spouse or parent applied for adjustment of status or was granted lawful permanent residence in an immigrant visa category that allows derivative status for spouses and children”. Is this the right choice or I am just not following the form properly.

Photos: If I look at the photo requirements of each form, I will provide 7 photos of myself (2 for I-485, 1 for I-130, 2 for I-131, 2 for I-765) and 1 photo of my wife (1 for I-130). This number sounds strange so want to check with anyone who submitted a similar set of forms.

G-325A: The form creates 4 copies but it seems I need only two (one with I-485 and one with I-130). Am I missing something?

Fee: Just checking again: two checks; one for I-485 and biometrics ($1010) and one for I-131 ($ 355)?

I-864: We are planning to use both of our incomes for the household income. What would be a good “proof that the intending immigrant's (mine) current employment will continue from the same source if his or her income is being used”?

Many thanks.