Q Re: How to Fill in I-130

[xalidag]

A couple of misc. questions to be meticulous. It would be appreciated even if you can answer only one or two of them.

By the way, I am not the petitioner; I am the beneficiary. I mean, I am an alien who got married to a USC.

1. What is "Alien Registration Number"? I entered the US as an F1 student a couple of years ago--do I have one, and if so, where can I find it?

2. I suppose the entire form should be filled in by the petitioner, who is my wife. There is a column that requires my name and foreign home address in my native alphabet, which is not Roman letters. Apparently it's OK to fill in that by ME, not my wife, correct?

3. The instruction form I downloaded says that the check for the fee must be payable to Immigration and Naturalization Service. Apparently it's obsolete--to which organization must it be payable? USCIS or BCIS?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SWaiting]

a) You dont have a Alien No or in short A number. Only the GC holder or US citizen thru Naturalization will have it...

b) We never filled option 2 even though english is not the native language...

The check is payable to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Even though checks made to INS are still acceptable..

 

[xalidag]

Thanks a lot.

 

[GeorgeF]

Even though checks made to INS are still acceptable..

Their check cashing department is working flawlessly.

 

[xalidag]

2. I suppose the entire form should be filled in by the petitioner, who is my wife. There is a column that requires my name and foreign home address in my native alphabet, which is not Roman letters. Apparently it's OK to fill in that by ME, not my wife, correct?

NBC_June04 (or anyone), don't know what your native language is, but could you answer to this question?

 

[Jane Green]

I did it all by myself.

I personally filled out all the questions on I-130 myself, even though I am the beneficiary, and then my husband (the petitioner) signed it….
It saved us both the time and headache, since I am more familiar with the whole immigration process then him anyway and he can’t write or read in my native language .
I read it somewhere on INS website, that it is OK for a family member to help you fill out the application.
It is only non-family members and lawyers would have to state their names and sing the form along with you, if they helped.

 

[NBC_June04]

A couple of misc. questions to be meticulous. It would be appreciated even if you can answer only one or two of them.

By the way, I am not the petitioner; I am the beneficiary. I mean, I am an alien who got married to a USC.

1. What is "Alien Registration Number"? I entered the US as an F1 student a couple of years ago--do I have one, and if so, where can I find it?

2. I suppose the entire form should be filled in by the petitioner, who is my wife. There is a column that requires my name and foreign home address in my native alphabet, which is not Roman letters. Apparently it's OK to fill in that by ME, not my wife, correct?

3. The instruction form I downloaded says that the check for the fee must be payable to Immigration and Naturalization Service. Apparently it's obsolete--to which organization must it be payable? USCIS or BCIS?

Thanks in advance.

1* You dont have Alien RN yet. You'll be given such number when NBC receive your documents. It will be shown on your receipt notices. Just fill in None

2* The entire I-130 form should be filled by your wife. Q 20. My native alphabet isn't Roman either. Still the question instructs the petitioner ("write in his or her.... in the native alphabet") which assumes that it must be handwritten by the petitioner him/herself. My husband put some effort in copying every single letter but did it finally. So just make your wife write that info by copying even if it might be a bit hard for her My husband said - Now I can compete with Picasso

3* I was confused whether to make a check or money order. I bet on the money order since it's acceptable everywhere and can't be mistaken if you choose that way of payment in the USA. I perosnally made it payable to: "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services"

 

[xalidag]

I personally filled out all the questions on I-130 myself, even though I am the beneficiary, and then my husband (the petitioner) signed it….
It saved us both the time and headache, since I am more familiar with the whole immigration process then him anyway and he can’t write or read in my native language .
I read it somewhere on INS website, that it is OK for a family member to help you fill out the application.
It is only non-family members and lawyers would have to state their names and sing the form along with you, if they helped.

Thanks. Yeah, honestly, I don't really think it matters a lot... still, I'll have my wife fill in the form, except that native alphabet part, which is practically impossible for her to do. If you don't mind, please keep your timeline updated.

 

[xalidag]

2* The entire I-130 form should be filled by your wife. Q 20. My native alphabet isn't Roman either. Still the question instructs the petitioner ("write in his or her.... in the native alphabet") which assumes that it must be handwritten by the petitioner him/herself. My husband put some effort in copying every single letter but did it finally. So just make your wife write that info by copying even if it might be a bit hard for her My husband said - Now I can compete with Picasso

I think we both have very meticulous personality, as we care preciseness in details. As you say, the instruction for Q 20 is read that the petitioner should fill in. However, in this case, I may make a judgment call. My wife also has some physical problem for handwriting. I'll ask my friends from my country about this, too.

3* I was confused whether to make a check or money order. I bet on the money order since it's acceptable everywhere and can't be mistaken if you choose that way of payment in the USA. I perosnally made it payable to: "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services"

Money order is always the safest choice. When I applied F1 OPT, my school's advisor said that I should make a money order unless my check has my current address on it. My check doesn't now, as well as my last name has changed.

Your comments are very helpful not only to get quick answers but to develop my understanding on a big picture. Thanks.

 

[NBC_June04]

Xalidag,
I am really happy to be of some help, man.
Actually my husband doesnt have any problem with handwriting. It's just the fact that my alphabet is not Roman and is very weird for him. I really try to do everything to the last detail, but we still made some mistakes when filing the documents (one on the 485 and 1 on 864). I will be glad to help others to avoid repeating them.
From the 800-... told me that WE'LL SUBMIT A NEW aFFIDAVIT at the interview, and it really doesnt matter a lot (especially if the employment of the petiotioner has changed and the info in the 864 must be updated which is in our case). And further, everything should be cleared at the interview. They said that most of the applicants who do not use lawyers make mistakes and it's not fatal.
Everything is gonna be fine, I hope (better be mistaken optimist, than perfect pessimist ) Anyway, Good luck , man!

PS: Do use Money Order if your name and address aren't yet on yuor personal checks. I mean, even Wal Mart and Giant Eagle won't accept checks not containing printed personal data

 

[Jane Green]

I always sent personal checks to INS and never had any problems with them promptly cashing them.
When INS cashes my checks I have an actual proof that they accepted my payment along with my application. And I know that, even before the receipt arrives (through the on-line banking). Waiting for a receipt might take weeks, sometimes months, but with the cashed check I can look up the status of my case on-line right way.
The INS stamps case numbers on backs of the cashed checks, so even if you didn’t receive a receipt from INS with your case number yet, you already have a proof that it’s in process and you can check the status of your case on-line.
Some local INS offices don’t accept check and specifically ask for money orders, but all the Service Centers do and from my experience personal checks were always a safer choice and gave me a trail, where the money orders were sent into hovel.

 

[xalidag]

SWaiting, Jane Green, NBC_June04, or anyone esle, please help...

I'm on F-1 OPT status right now and my EAD card actually has "INS A#," which is nine digits, like 123-456-789. Isn't it the A# I need to fill in on I-130 and other forms?

 

[NBC_June04]

SWaiting, Jane Green, NBC_June04, or anyone esle, please help...

I'm on F-1 OPT status right now and my EAD card actually has "INS A#," which is nine digits, like 123-456-789. Isn't it the A# I need to fill in on I-130 and other forms?

I havent been on F1 but since once INS processed authoriaztaion for work you've been given an A#(the one you mention). There was a memebr here who was assigned twice an A# which eventually didnt appear to be a problem. I dont think it's a mistake to fill in the A# with clarification that its from the OPT. But its obvious since you were already once authorized to work. It authomaticaly assumes for F1 that they should have A#. Not necessary for other visas (considering my previous status).
Xalidag, havent you filed those docs yet. It's been a long time? What's up?
Good luck

 

[xalidag]

Thanks NBC_June04.

Xalidag, havent you filed those docs yet. It's been a long time? What's up?
Good luck

To tell you the truth, my wife and I had needed to work on some relationship issues. But seemingly it turned out better; I just found out that GC seems to be issued immediately if we're interviewed at the embassy in my home country. Does this thing apply to certain countries only? I may start a new thread in an applicable place.

 

[NBC_June04]

Thanks NBC_June04.



To tell you the truth, my wife and I had needed to work on some relationship issues. But seemingly it turned out better; I just found out that GC seems to be issued immediately if we're interviewed at the embassy in my home country. Does this thing apply to certain countries only? I may start a new thread in an applicable place.

I am pretty sure that the country really matters. For exmple if you take only the name clearance after the interview... for some people it takes days, for certain nationalities - up to 2 years. But I 've also heard that for some US consulates abroad it takes less time to process and issue GC than if you start the process in US.