This is cumbersome even if you are filling it using your phone or computer. We will show you how to easily fill out the form and your details on all the pages of form i-693.

A separate I-693 form needs to be filled out for each member of the family who is applying for the I-485 green card application.

How to fill out the I-693 form?

There are two parties involved in filling out the I-693 form:

• Applicant
• Doctor

The app is designed to help fill all sections including the applicant and the doctor. If you are an applicant, the doctor’s section should be ignored.

We strongly recommend using AM22Tech’s app which helps you validate all your data to make sure you do not make any mistakes.

If you are a doctor and want to fill out this form for your patient before they come for the USCIS medical appointment, you can also fill in all the fields and save time. The doctor’s office can then print two copies of the same form quickly to share one with the applicant and the other for USCIS’s sealed envelope.

The app will save your information to generate the form again anytime later from any device including your iPhone, Android, or Samsung mobile.

#1 Enter Your Details

Enter your full name and birth details in the first step. Make sure that there are no spelling mistakes and that all these details match your current valid unexpired passport.

#2 Alien Number

Step 2 requires you to enter your A number. It is possible that you do not have any A-number at this time and you can leave it blank.

The same is true for the USCIS account number.

You can check this page to find your A-number.

For example:

A family of H1B and H4 dependents may have this scenario:

• H1B primary has an A number issued with his I-140. Find it on his i140 approval page.
• H4 dependent spouse might have her own A number on the H4 EAD card if she was issued one at any time.
• H4-dependent kids may not have an A number issued at all. In that case, you can leave the A number for your H4 child blank.

#3 USCIS Account Number

The USCIS Online Account Number is different from an A-Number (Alien number).

Most people do not have it.

1. If you have previously filed an application, petition, or any request using the USCIS online filing system (previously called USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS)), your USCIS Online Account Number can be used here.
2. You can find your USCIS Online Account Number by logging in to your account and going to the profile page. Suppose you previously filed certain applications, petitions, or requests on a paper form via a USCIS Lockbox facility. In that case, you may have received a USCIS Online Account Access Notice issuing you a USCIS Online Account Number.
3. If you received such a notice, your USCIS Online Account Number can be found at the top of the notice.

You can leave it blank if you do not have it.

#4 Contact Details

The last step is to fill in your current USA residential address and contact details.

We recommend entering your email and mobile phone number.

Doctor Steps

The i693 medical form is extensive and there are many details that doctor needs to fill in before they can sign and issue the completed form.

The AM22Tech’s i693 app makes the task of filling the doctor’s section a breeze.

A doctor can:

• Copy the whole form contents for a family and then edit only the relevant portions to save time refiling the same lengthy form.
• Doctors can save and reuse their name, and address and just select it from the dropdown menu for each new patient’s form. No need to write the same thing twice.
• Select the dates, and vaccination names easily just with a tap and the app takes care of filling them in correctly on the USCIS form.
• Save and fill data as it becomes available. The app saves all entries automatically and securely.
• All records are available immediately on mobile, desktop, and office tabs as the doctor edits them.
• Get the completed form securely over your registered email.

Fill Form & Email

The last step is to Fill Form. The app validates all the data before it allows you to buy the service. Once validated and paid, the app will automatically pick up the current USCIS i693 form, fill it out, and will be available for download.

You only need to fill in your details on this form and take it to the USCIS-approved physician’s office. The doctor will fill in all other details and sign.

FAQ

The post How to Fill USCIS i693 Medical Form (For Doctors & Applicants) appeared first on AM22Tech.

SFO embassy (San Francisco) requires Apostille by US state before attestation while New York, Washington DC, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago may or may not require Apostille.

• Attestation of power of attorney is NOT the same as registration of power of attorney.
• Attestation is a pre-requisite to registration if you are outside India – NRI (non-resident Indian).

Documents Required

1. Miscellaneous services form. Each Indian embassy their own Misc Services form format – New York, Washington DC, Houston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago.
2. Original Passport + Copies of all non-blank pages including first and last page.
3. Copy of Address proof in USA – 1 address proof is required – US bank statement, driving license, utility bill, Home lease agreement, etc.
4. Valid Visa copy – Valid H1B, H4, L1, etc. Remember that B1/B2 is not considered valid for creating POA.
5. Original Visa petition – approval notice i797 or USCIS issues receipt number for extension filing.
6. Original i94 + Copies – In the case of electronic i94, just take the print-out with you.
7. Two (2) passport-size photographs to be affixed against your name on POA.

NOTE: It is advised to carry the original version of the documents with you for verification, in case the consulate asks for it.

The process of registering the POA does NOT require ‘attestation‘ if you are still in India and planning to leave soon. i.e. you are about to leave and want to give power of attorney to someone in your family or a friend.

#1 Notarize Power of Attorney

2 witness signatures are required for attestation of Power of attorney. 

A witness can be anyone holding a valid US ID proof with an address and photo.

Witnesses should preferably be other than immediate family members.

• Witnesses CAN go to Indian Consulate with you? There is NO need to get the notarization.
• Witnesses CANNOT go to Indian Consulate with you? Take signatures of 2 witnesses on this POA in the presence of Notary.

A Free notary is available in most towns’ libraries, banks like Bank of America (Free if you have an account with them), and your own office would have one.

Paid notaries are available at USPS offices/shops too.

Online notaries are also available in the USA now:

• DocVerify
• Notarize
• NotaryCam
• Pavaso
• Safedocs
• SIGNiX

You should NOT sign the POA yet. It is to be done in front of the Indian consulate.

If the notary insists on your sign, then you can sign. You will be required to sign once again in Indian Embassy.

#2 Apostille PoA

You may or may not need Apostile based on your current Passport and the Indian Embassy you are applying at.

If you need Apostille, check the US secretary of state office website for the process. Supporting documents do not need Apostille.

#3 Attestation at Indian Embassy

An in-person visit to Embassy

You should either have 2 witnesses travel with you to the embassy or have the notarized POA.

Each embassy office has a time window normally between 9 AM to 11 AM to accept in-person attestation requests.

If both you and your spouse have been named as executant in POA, then both of you need to be present in Embassy physically with your original passports.

Documents required here:

• Your original POA,
• a photocopy of this POA and
• Original passport

You would be asked to sign in front of the officer on the POA to verify your signature.

Deposit the fees and you will most probably be asked to come back after 12 PM (afternoon) to collect the attested PoA.

Show the receipt and collect the attested POA and your passport. You are all set.

By Postal Mail

You need to get all the signatures (2 witnesses + your own) notarized.

Get the fees cashier check or money order.

The return shipping check has to be made separately. The amount differs by each embassy. No need to send the return shipping envelope. They take care of it with the return shipping fees that you send.

Send the documentary proof (only photocopies) with an exception of the original passport to the Indian consulate.

Documents required to be sent by mail:

• Your original POA,
• A photocopy of this POA and
• Original passport

The consulate will attest and return the documents back to you within a week.

Registration in India

Registration of ‘attested POA’ can only be done in India.

Send PoA to India and then follow the steps to register this POA.

FAQ

The post Attestation of Power of Attorney at Indian Consulate – USA appeared first on AM22Tech.

Check if you are eligible to apply for H4 EAD.

Documents for H4 EAD Application

#1 H4 EAD Fee

H4 EAD fee is $520.

USCIS accepts payment by Credit Card or ACH bank transfer

1. Pay by credit card – Fill form G-1450
2. Pay by ACH debit transfer – Fill form Form G-1650

Attach the form on top of the application.

ACH should be from a US bank.

If you are using the credit card, then it should have been issued by a US bank. International cards from non-US countries will not work.

Payment by Check/Money order is NOT accepted by USCIS.

#2 Photo (Two; each 2×2 inch size)

Two identical 2×2 inch photographs clicked within the last 30 days are required for the H4 EAD application.

Write your name and i94 number (OR SSN OR Alien registration number) on the back of the photograph with a light gray colored pencil.

Off course, you can click the H4 EAD photo at home, edit it and then print yourself to save money.

The admission record number on H4’s i94 fetched from the CBP site is what should be written on the back of each photo.

Do not send an old photo with the I-765 application as USCIS will send RFE to submit new photos. This will increase your H4 EAD processing time.

#3 Fill I-765 Form

Download and fill USCIS i765 form. You can also use our app to fill out the form. The app validates and checks all form fields to make sure you do not make any mistakes.

You can use this app to fill the form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS:

Open App in new Window

#4 H4 Status Proof

• Copy of H-4 visa holder’s most recent I-797 Approval. If an H4 extension has been approved recently, use the extension approval. OR
• Most recent H4 i-94 copy. If an H4 extension were approved recently, the new i94 would be attached to your H4 extension approval (i797) notice OR
• A Copy of the pending H4 extension if it has not reached any result yet.

#5 Government Issued Photo ID Document

• Copy of Passport’s front (with Photo) and back pages (with address) OR
• Copy of USA H4 Visa stamp page from the Passport OR
• A copy of your last EAD – Both front and back (if any) OR
• A birth certificate with a photo ID. For example, an Indian (or Chinese) birth certificate will work only if it has a photograph. OR
• Any other national identity document with a photo. US State ID or Driving License is NOT acceptable.

#6 H4’s Relationship Proof with H1B

A copy of your marriage certificate in English is required to prove the H4 dependent’s relationship to primary H1B.

#7 H4 EAD Eligibility Proof

Primary H1B spouse’s I-140 i797c approval notice is required to prove H4 EAD eligibility.

If your employer has not shared the I-140 approval copy with you, use the USCIS FOIA request to get I-140 details.

#8 Current H4-EAD Copy (If applying Renewal/Extension)

An existing EAD copy is required only if you already have H4 EAD and you are applying for renewal or extension.

Only a black color ink pen is allowed as USCIS uses computer scanning to read forms.

Do NOT staple the documents. Use a paper clip to bind them together.

#9 Form G1145 (Optional but recommended)

Use form G1145 to let USCIS send you an SMS or an email once they receive your application. Attach this form at the top of the EAD application package.

Concurrent Filing – H1B, H4, H4 EAD

If you are filing H1B, H4, and H4 EAD applications concurrently at the same time in the same package, you can write this in question 29 on form i765:

• “Filed Concurrently” OR
• Leave Blank OR
• Write the current approved H1B receipt number

All three options have been tried and tested and all of them work fine. Our recommendation is to write “Filed concurrently” in Q29 or use our app and it will handle all text automatically.

Don’t worry about the limited space to write it. You can just write with free handwriting.

H4-EAD Renewal Documents

The document list is the same for H4-EAD renewal or extension as for the new H4-EAD application mentioned above.

The start date for the H4 EAD extension may be in the future.

Example,
If your H4 expires in Sep, and you applied for renewal in Mar, of the same year, your extended H4’s start date may be Sep instead of March.

It is on USCIS to give a current start date or future one (that correlates with your current H4’s expiry date).

To fill up the i-765 form, we would consider the most recent H4 approval irrespective of its start date.

Based on it, your i94 number and primary H1B i797 approval receipt number will be decided while filing the i765.

Apply SSN with EAD

If you do not currently have SSN, select ‘No’ on Q 13.a. and then select ‘Yes’ on Q 14 and Q 15.
You will have to fill Q 16.a., 16.b. with your (H4’s) father and mother’s name to get an SSN card.

Your SSN card will be automatically generated after your EAD is approved within 3-4 weeks and mailed by USPS.

FAQ

The post How to file H4 EAD, Documents, Form i765 (New / Renewal Process) appeared first on AM22Tech.

A step-by-step process for re-issue of the passport with the Indian embassy in New York, Houston (Texas), Washington DC, Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), SFO (San Francisco, California), Los Angeles, Boston and Seattle Indian consulate. 

Choose the correct Indian embassy based on your Zip code to avoid rejection. The Los Angeles Indian consulate handles many counties from the SOuthern California. The app automatically finds the correct county.

Documents Required

Create all affidavits and annexures required for Indian passport renewal in one go with our easy-to-use app.

#1 Expiring Passport

An original and most recent passport is required to be sent. All other OLD passports, if any, are not required.

#2 Photographs

Recent changes in VFS process in USA required two sets of photos:

1. Two Photos of 2×2 inch size for printing on paper
2. One digital photo of 35x45mm (630×810 pixel) for uploading on Indian government portal.

You can check how to click and edit photos using your smartphone for Indian passport.

The photo should have a light-gray background and not off-white or white.

You can get passport-size photos online or at Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens.

#3 NRI Government passport renewal application form

The passport application form will be provided by the Indian government site for printing. Detailed steps are given below.

#4 Highest qualification degree (Optional)

Indian embassy requires your education details to decide if an ECR Stamp is required on your passport or not.

We recommended sending a copy of the Highest Educational Qualification Degree like an MCA or MBA. It is not required but there is no harm in sending it.

Check if you need ECNR or ECR.

#5 USA Address proof (Color, Notarized)

You can safely opt to get the USA address printed on an Indian passport. There is no harm.

• Rental Lease Agreement (Month to Month is acceptable) OR Home Mortgage bill – Should not have expired at the time of submission. Rental agreement with future start date?
• Any utility bill (Electricity/ gas/ water/ landline telephone bill) – Must NOT be older than 3 months. Home Internet Wi-Fi bills and Mobile bills are NOT accepted.
• Driver’s License OR State ID – Both front and back are required. A Learning / temporary driving license is accepted.
• A US bank statement is NOT valid address proof.

#6 Indian Address Proof

Indian address proof is required if you want to add or change the current Indian Address printed on your passport.

Does the current passport have an Indian hostel as a permanent address?

• Any Indian utility bill (Electricity/ gas/ water/ landline telephone bill) – Must NOT be older than 3 months
• Aadhar Card
• Indian Drivers license
• Recent Bank Statement from Indian Government Bank. The front page is required. It should have an affixed photograph. Check a sample of SBI’s passbook with affixed and stamped photographs here.

#7 Change of Appearance / Signature Form (Notarized)

A change of appearance form is required. You can either download and fill out the form yourself or use this app to create one.

Everybody’s presence changes a little as you age.

#8 VFS Document checklist

Download the VFS document checklist here. Print and fill it out as you collect documents.

#9 Annexure ‘E’

Annexure E affidavit is required and you can get it from the VFS site.

You can also create the same form using this app which validates all your data and offers a full refund if it is rejected by the Indian embassy.

#10 Copy of Passport

Photocopy of the First 5 pages of YOUR passport along with the last 2 pages. You can use an app-based scanner. 

• First page with Photo, then page numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
• Page numbers 34, 35, 36, and the last page with the address.
• Total of 10 pages.

#11 Marriage Certificate (Optional)

Are you Married and want to add your Spouse’s name to the new passport?

• Include Spouse’s Passport’s front (page with picture) and back page (with address) OR
• Spouse Green Card

#12 US Legal Status (Color, Notarized)

• Current Valid US Visa (including dependent Visa) OR
• I-797 OR
• Green card OR
• Employment Authorization Card (EAD) or
• I- 797 approval notice or
• Valid I-20

You can even use the USCIS receipt number copy.

H1B / H4 Extension pending with USCIS? Apply with i797C. 

• US Visa – B1/B2 is NOT a valid visa for passport reissue.
• i94 is not valid Proof either.

#13 Birth Certificate / School Leaving Certificate (Optional)

It is optional. You can send if you want. This is primarily used to take a decision on you ECR/ECNR stamp in the passport.

#14 Police Report (Only if Passport lost or stolen)

If your passport was stolen, then you should include the copy of police report and fill Annexure F.

#15 Additional Documents for Child Passport

Annexure D is required for the Child’s Indian passport. You can create this affidavit using this app which will validate all the data to make sure it is not rejected by the Indian embassy.

1. Annexure D is signed by both mother and father.
2. Mother – Current Valid US Visa OR I-797 OR Green card OR Employment Authorization Card or I-797 approval notice.
3. Mother – Passport first (Photo) page and last page (address page).
4. Father – Current Valid US Visa OR I-797 OR Green card OR Employment Authorization Card or I-797 approval notice.
5. Father – Passport first (Photo) page and last page (address) page.

#16 Annexure F/L for lost or damaged passport

If your current passport was lost or damaged, then you need an Annexure F affidavit too.

Registration Steps – Indian Govt Website

Start your passport application on the Indian government website.

You will need to register for each person separately on this website. We suggest using this website on your laptop or PC as the site is messed up on mobile.

#1 Register

Click the ‘Register’ button and fill in the details.

Verify email to complete registration.

#2 Apply for Ordinary passport

You will be asked to log in again after you have activated your account. Log in again and then this screen will be visible:

Select the option “Apply for Ordinary passport – Application for fresh passport/Re-issue of Passport (Blue cover passport)“

Passport Application Steps – Indian Govt Site

#1 Passport Type

Start the Passport application by filling ‘passport-type‘ section.

These are the sample values that will apply to most people.

These are the sample values that will apply to most people.

1. Choose ‘Re-issue of passport‘.
2. Choose ‘Change in personal particular‘ and then select ‘address‘ if you are changing your address from India to the US or a different address within the USA. You can select more options if you want to change more things on your passport.
3. Choose ‘Validity expired within 3 years/Due to expire‘.
4. Select the Type of application as ‘Normal‘ or ‘Tatkal’. Tatkal will have a higher fee than normal.
5. Select ‘Type of Passport Booklet‘ as ’36 pages’. Most people only need 36 pages unless they travel a lot and your passport pages get full within a couple of years.

#2 Applicant details

Click next and fill in ‘Applicant details‘. Click next once done.

Once you click ‘Save’, your application is saved and an ‘Application reference number’ (ARN) is generated and shown on top of the current page:

#3 Family Details

Enter family details like Father, mother, and spouse name.

Spouse name is mandatory if you have selected the marital status as ‘married’.

#4 Address Details

Your presence at an Indian address is not mandatory. Indian embassy understands that you are physically present outside India.

It is mandatory to provide at least one Indian address in the form. It will be used for police verification. You can give your parent or relative’s Indian address.

You can choose these combinations:

Passport Print Address	Other Address
USA	Indian
Indian	USA

In this example image, we are opting to print a US address on the passport and then providing an Indian address as ‘other address’:

Note:

• Indian mobile number should be valid as someone will call it for police verification.
• Choose the correct Indian police station as per your Indian address to avoid delays in your application.
• Your relative should be able to vouch for you when they call.
• As is expected in most places, they may have to give a nominal amount as ‘chai paani‘ to the police officer. The usual amount that most people have reported to have paid is about INR 1000 to 2000. They expect it as you are earning in Dollars 🙂

#5 Emergency contact details

We suggest providing details of the person who you know in the USA. You can provide anyone from India too. It’s your choice.

Complete Previous Passport Details, Passport Review steps.

#6 Passport preview

Preview of the new passport’s biometric page. Verify your information and click next.

#7 Verify, Submit & Print

The last step is to verify all the details and then submit your application. You can make changes before clicking the ‘Submit‘ button.

Your application is locked once you click ‘Submit‘ and changes cannot be made.

Once you have submitted it, you can print the application from the Applicant Home page.

VFS Global Website – Fee Payment & Shipping

VFS’s website and the instructions are half baked and it seems they have been given the contract at the last moment.

The link given on the VFS website will waste your time filling out the form even before registration.

But, the problem is that there is no other way to register either (at least we could not find any).

VFS services are used for postal Envelopes, Payments & shipping of your documents.

#1 VFS Website

Visit the VFS global website and create an application there.

This is also not a mobile-friendly website. So, we suggest using a desktop.

Select the ‘Passport‘ box (Blue color) and then you will see a new form open up:

Click the button ‘Proceed‘.

#2 Fee Details

The total fee for Indian passport renewal is $100+. VFS service fee is also added separately.

Now, once you click the ‘proceed‘ button, you will be asked to register and activate the registration by email. Once you are done, you will have to REDO the whole VFS application. Amazing!

#3 New Application

Click ‘Create a new application’.

Enter the details again on this page after logging in to the VFS portal system.

Enter the details again on this page after logging in to the VFS portal system.

Click the ‘proceed’ button and you will be asked to add a customer.

#4 Add customer

Click ‘Add customer‘ and you will see this screen where you will be asked to once again enter all your information.

Make sure you enter the Indian government website’s ARN number in the ‘Govt reference number’ field:

Click the ‘Submit‘ button.

Many people have complained that they are not able to see the ‘select courier service’ after adding a customer.

Try this as it worked for us:

1. Log out and Log in again to the VFS Global portal.
2. Click the ‘retrieve incomplete application‘ button (blue color) given on the left-hand side menu.
3. Use your registered email (used to register on the VFS site) and click search.
4. You should now be able to see the ‘Select courier‘ option on the customer list screen as shown in our next step below.
5. If you are still not able to see the ‘select courier service‘ option, then click the ‘Edit‘ link given in the ‘Actions‘ column next to your name list. This should show the courier service option.

#5 Courier Service

You reach the customer list screen.

Note down the VFS reference number. This will be required to search your application if you are automatically logged out.

We recommend VFS’s shipping option. They use FedEx and the cost is $30 for two-way shipping.

If you decide to use your courier service, do not forget to send a pre-paid envelope for return shipping.

• USPS prepaid labels have an expiry date and hence are not accepted by VFS.
• You can use UPS but the prepaid label with UPS Store address is not acceptable.

Click submit.

#6 Courier Service Address

Enter your mailing address here and not VFS Global’s address.

The USA address on your prepaid shipping label should match the proof of address document submitted.

#7 Confirm & Download Shipping Labels

Click the ‘confirm application’ button and then you will be automatically taken to a payment site named ‘Adyen.com’.

Once the online payment is completed, you can download the shipping labels and send your application package.

Refund

We have documented the process and VFS application refund policy separately here.

FAQ

The post Renew Indian Passport in USA (VFS Process, Documents & Affidavits) appeared first on AM22Tech.

The good thing about i485 EAD is that you get an automatic 180-day extension if you file your renewals before the current card expires.

The EAD application is filed using USCIS form i765 and advance parole requires filing a separate form i131. The USCIS may issue both in the form of a combo card if you applied them together and got approved too.

The form i765 is a common form for various types of EADs like H4, and L2, in addition to i485, and hence makes it a little difficult for a non-lawyer to fill up correctly. The i765 form is a little less complex than the i131.

If you miss any relevant field on the form for your case-specific situation, USCIS may simply reject the application and send it back to you. Note that there is a difference between rejection and RFE.

How to Fill the i131 Advance Parole Form?

Log in to apps.am22tech.com and start filling in your details. The app is smart enough to detect the fields you need to fill in based on your selections at each step.

It will also validate the correct USCIS form to avoid straight rejections.

The app has a lot of built-in checks and validations to make sure you fill the right fields with the correct data. USCIS rejects the applications even when you make an innocent mistake or leave a required field blank.

The app will make sure you do not leave anything.

Once all the required fields have been set, you can generate the form. At this point, the app will automatically get the correct i131 USCIS form and fill in the details.

You will get this form by email and the instructions about what to do next.

Documents For AP (i131)

The document list may vary based on the purpose of your travel and then the type of underlying application with USCIS.

We will take the example of pending i485 and share the list of documents. We recommend sending color copies of all proofs but blank & white are also acceptable.

1. Pending i485 Receipt
2. Travel Reason Cover Letter – USCIS requires you to write an explanation letter as to why you need to travel.
3. Passport Copy (first page with your biometric information like photo etc. and last page with your address)
4. Two (2) identical passport-style photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of the filing of this application
5. Current i94 Copy
6. Approved/Pending i485 EAD card copy (if any)
7. US Driving License (if any)
8. Current EAD + AP combo card copy (if applying for AP renewal).
9. A copy of the U.S. consular appointment letter, if you are traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa (Green card at the US embassy in Canada).

Advance Parole Processing Time

The current AP processing time can be found on the USCIS website or using one of the crowd-sourced case trackers.

• USCIS website – Select form i131 and then the service center based on your receipt number.

The normal time varies from 7 to 12 months. In most cases, the advance parole is approved or denied at the same time as their pending EAD application.

If your EAD has been approved, you can expect your i131 application to reach a result within the next 1-10 days as the USCIS aims to produce the combo card rather than a separate card for each.

Advance Parole Card

EAD with Advance Parole (AP)

The EAD card category will be listed as C09P if the card also works as a travel document. This is a combo card that acts as:

• EAD work Permit
• Advance Parole for Travel (I-512)

EAD without Advance Parole (AP)

For people who do not have advance parole but only an EAD approval, the card will look like this.

The EAD card will have the category listed as C09 instead of C09P and also have the annotation “NOT VALID FOR REENTRY TO U.S.” at the bottom of the card.

This can happen if:

• Your i131 was denied
• You applied only i765 EAD and did not file any i131 travel application

i131 is Denied

USCIS is supposed to deny your i131 advance parole application if you travel while it is pending. The only problem with travel apart from the i131 denial is the reentry to the US. You will need some other visa type to return to the US if you do not have an AP approval.

This is fine with people who have a visa like H1B, L1, F1, etc to return without an issue. We have discussed the status issues and how you can use AP to avoid H1B visa stamping issues here.

This can happen even if you just traveled on a cruise to Mexico or visited any US border for an i94 extension, or used an AVR to return from Canada. There are some cases in which USCIS may still approve your i131 but most attorneys suggest refiling the i131 to be on the safe side.

i131 Fee

USCIS added an advance parole application fee starting 1 Apr 2024 for people who will be filing new i485.

Anyone who filed i485 before 1 Apr, 2024 will still be eligible for free filing.

• If you filed your i485 on or after 1 Apr 2024, then, your i485 EAD application fee is $630.
• If you filed i485 before 1 Apr 2024, then there is no fee for i485 EAD renewal. It is FREE.

You can calculate the current fee using the USCIS fee calculator here. It is important to send the correct fee check if any, to avoid rejections. It can be a personal check.

FAQ

The post How to File i131 Advance Parole While i485 is Pending appeared first on AM22Tech.

This acts as a cover letter to send with your medical RFE. Since it has your receipt barcode, USCIS can easily scan it and find your application file quickly.

You can use our app to generate this medical RFE interfiling cover letter and keep it on top of the i693 package that a USCIS-approved Civil doctor would have given you.

You can also use this letter if you send medical records in response to USCIS RFE (Request for Evidence).

Sample Green Card Medical Letter

You can use this sample medical interfile cover letter to attach to your sealed medical envelope.

Make sure that you change the values as per your case.

Note that the current status of your i485 application should be ‘Pending’. You can check the current status on the USCIS case status website here by using your receipt number.

Receipt Barcode Required?

Printing a receipt and A number barcode is optional.

• Adding a Barcode helps USCIS scan and locate your Green card file easily.
• Attorneys recommend it to make it easier for USCIS.

Sample Barcode printed on medical interfile letter:

USCIS Processing Time After Medical Interfile

The processing time varies a lot with the service center and the officer who is working on your case.

However, it has been seen that once your medical reaches the USCIS service center, the processing time can be anytime between 10-60 days for green card approval.

Many people wait for the medical RFE to be issued by USCIS.

We recommend sending it without waiting for RFE to increase your chances of getting ahead in the i485 queue.

It saves time by cutting down all the time consumed by medical RFE.

Does the USCIS case status update after interfile is accepted by USCIS?

It is not guaranteed that you will see a case status update. Sometimes, it does update though.

It can take anywhere from 1-30 days for them to process your mail.

You might see a USCIS case status update like this once your medical interfile letter has been delivered by mail service to USCIS:

Can USCIS send an RFE even after receiving my Medical Interfile?

Yes, they can send an RFE for medical even after receiving your medical interfile.

To mitigate this situation, we recommend getting two copies of your medical from the doctor.

Send one as interfile and keep the other as a backup in case USCIS sends an RFE.

Medical Validity

Doctor signature 60-day rule

On Mar 31, 2023, USCIS removed the 60-day rule of doctor signature. This means that i693 will be accepted even if the doctor signed it more than 60 days ago.

Earlier, the i693 form was considered valid only if the doctor had signed it within 60 days of submitting it to USCIS. There is no such requirement now after 31 Mar 2023.

Medical Expiry Date

The medical form does not expire. In 2024, USCIS announced that once a medical is submitted, it remains valid for its life if submitted in 2024 or later.

Earlier, this term was 2 years (before 2024) and USCIS used to ask for new medicals every two years if i-485 remained pending.

Medical Cover Letter App

You can write this letter yourself or use our app to create one for you.

The app creates a PDF file that can be printed on a plain A4 size white or colored paper sheet.

It is okay even if you use plain white standard paper.

Interfiling Risks vs Benefits

Please note that there is no official medical interfiling process designed or published by USCIS.

The interfiling simply means that you send the documents as per your wish and then request USCIS to add them to your file. All this is done without USCIS requesting these documents through the official process of RFE (request for evidence).

Since it is an unsolicited request, USCIS may or may not add these documents to your file.

Many people have seen success with sending the i485 medicals without RFE but there is no guarantee.

Also, your attorney may or may not agree to send it without RFE. So, it is entirely your choice. You can send the medical interfile letter directly yourself without asking your attorney to do it.

Benefits of interfiling

There is a 50% chance that your interfiled medical application will end up in your green card file at the USCIS service center.

Now, a 50% chance is a very good chance given that there are thousands of applications waiting to receive medical RFE.

If your interfile request is successful, then your file has a better chance of

• Getting ahead in the queue even though your PD date or the i485 receipt maybe after someone who has an earlier PD date.
• The USCIS officer working on your case may not issue medical RFE at all if they see your interfiled medical in your file. This will easily save about 30 days of processing time on your case.

Risks of interfiling

There is virtually no risk in sending the i693 form without an RFE except that you may lose the doctor’s fee if USCIS does not add it to your file.

The Doctor usually charges about $350 per application and you stand to lose it. We know that most Indians will happily take this risk even if it gives them a slight chance to get ahead in line.

• Your pending i485 application will not see any adverse effect simply because you tried to interfile.
• USCIS will issue the medical RFE. In this case, you will have to redo the medical and send it with an RFE letter.

Our Suggestion

Send the sealed medical letter along with the cover letter and the i485 receipt bar code.

There is nothing to lose here. Just try every possible option to help move your application ahead in the queue and get a green card faster. You may have waited for a decade for your Green card. Do not leave any stone unturned to push your application forward.

We understand that this effort may go to waste but think of the situation where it may get accepted. Your application will certainly save time and may get approved earlier than others.

USCIS Interfiling Address

You should ideally send the medical interfile package to the address printed on your i485 receipt notice. The service center address will be mentioned in the bottom left corner of the i-485 receipt notice.

Sending to USCIS Field Office?

You can also send it to the USCIS field office if your green card file has been transferred. You should confirm this by first checking with USCIS Emma chat.

How to Get Your File’s Field Office Location?

To ask for the current location of your Green card file from Emma’s agent, follow these steps:

• Visit uscis.gov and click the “Ask Emma” button to start chatting with Emma’s agent.
• Once the chat box is open, type “representative“.
• When you see the list of options, click “case status“.
• Click “connect to live chat” and enter your i-485 receipt number.
• When prompted for your request, type “location of file“.
• At this time, you should be connected to a live agent.
• Ask them “I would like to know where my I-485 file is right now“? The agent should provide the service center’s name or local field office.
• Once you know the field office, ask them if they have the office’s address. If they give it, use it to send your medical interfile letter. If they can’t give the address, you can search it on the USCIS website by field office name or search on Google.

FAQ

The post USCIS Medical Interfile with Barcode for Pending i485 (Send without RFE) appeared first on AM22Tech.

• Job Change: You have changed jobs after your i485 was pending for over 180 days.
• Confirm Job Existence (or job offer):
  • You are interfiling to upgrade from pending EB2 i485 to EB3.
  • You are interfiling to downgrade from pending EB3 i485 to EB2.

USCIS issues a receipt number for the i485-J form which can be tracked online on the USCIS case status website. The i485J receipt can take up to 2 months to arrive by USPS mail.

How to fill the i485-J supplement online?

The official USCIS i485J form is available for download online for free. You can download, fill and send it to the USCIS.

USCIS does not allow filing this i485J form online at this time.

You can also fill out this form using our helpful app and avoid any RFE or rejection as the app verifies every single detail that’s required.

USCIS usually either rejects the form if you use the wrong version or fail to fill any required field. Our app handles all the options and does not let you complete it until you have provided all the information correctly.

Immigration Attorneys and paralegals can use AM22tech’s USCIS form-filling app to fill the forms safely and securely too.

Even employers who want to save money on attorney fees can use the app to fill out the form with all the checks and validations based on USCIS guidance built into the app.

We also have a full refund guarantee if the form filled up through our app is rejected solely because of our app’s mistake.

Details

This form has two primary sections:

1. Your details – The form requires your confirmation that you intend to join the job mentioned on this form i485-J.
2. Your employer details – The employer should confirm that the job offer exists as mentioned on the EB2 or EB3 i140 as filed by them. If you are porting your pending i-485 to a new employer, then the new employer’s i140 is not required.

You can leave the job after getting the green card without any issues. Note that your intentions should be to join the job once you get the employment-based GC, but there is no need to keep working.

The USCIS approved this Green card in good faith based on your i485-J.

You can join and change the employer anytime after you have got your Green card.

Documents Required

We suggest including the following documents with your supplement J:

1. EB2/EB3 interfile request cover letter
2. Primary applicant i485 receipt notice.
3. All dependent’s i485 receipt notice.
4. Primary applicant’s approved/pending i140 receipt.

Can USCIS automatically upgrade my EB3 to EB2 i140?

Attorney Cyrus Mehta has written in his article that USCIS does automatically do the interfiling process for cases where:

1. Both EB3 and EB2 i140 belong to the same employer and
2. Both EB3 and EB2 i140 are for the same or similar job positions.

He says that USCIS often approves the green card based on the category which is currently current but is not guaranteed.

Interfile at USCIS California Address?

If you have already sent the interfile request to the USCIS service center, you can resend it to the California address along with i485J now.

If you want to interfile, we strongly suggest sending your i485-J form. It has two benefits:

• USCIS issues a valid receipt number for the i485J form.
• You can track the status online.

If you send the interfile letter without i485J, you will always be in guessing mode as USCIS will NOT send any acknowledgment of receipt. You will never get to know the status until they approve your Green card.

We compared interfile vs refile in this article earlier.

USCIS Guidance for i485J

You can file i485J and request interfile if:

• You have continuously maintained eligibility for adjustment of status – Which means that you are eligible for a green card. Examples of maintaining status:
  • You can either be on H1B, H4, L, or another type of visa while waiting for the GC.
  • You can use your GC EAD while waiting too.
  • Use old EB3 EAD after requesting to interfile with EB2.
• Your adjustment of status application based on the original Form I-140 is still pending – which means i485 should be pending for interfiling to work. Examples:
  • If i485 has been denied, then you can’t do interfile.
  • If i485 has received the RFE, then you can do an interfile while you respond to the RFE.
• You are eligible for the new immigrant category – You should be eligible for the new category you are requesting in your interfile request. Examples:
  • If you request an EB3 to EB2 upgrade using interfile, you should be eligible for EB2 separately.
• You have a visa immediately available in the new immigrant category – The Green card date in the new category should be current in the visa bulletin’s FINAL action chart. Example:
  • If you are interfiling to upgrade from EB3 to EB2, then your PD should be current in the EB2 Final action chart.
  • The ‘Date of filing’ chart cannot be used to submit interfile requests.

Child Age Lock

The CSPA (Child Age Protection Act) is extremely important in cases of interfiling.

If your child’s age was locked using the EB3 final action chart and your child has NOW turned 21, we strongly recommend not doing interfiling.

This is because the CSPA law counts the child’s age based on the attached i140.

If the EB2 i140 is still pending, then you may be able to deduct the ‘number of pending’ days from the child’s age but if it is approved, the child’s age may have already aged out if the EB2 final action date got current after your child turned 21.

You may want to check the CSPA age protection using this app and find out if the age will be locked or not.

Should New Employer Interfile?

There are many situations where you may have changed the job after filing EB2 to EB3 downgrade.

Example:

1. Company A holds EB2 i140. Company A filed EB2 to EB3 downgrade.
2. You changed employer and joined company B using i485 after the 180-day rule.
3. Now, you want to interfile and request an EB3 to EB2 upgrade while working for company B.

Options:

• Interfile with Company A: You can request interfiling but Company A would need to sign i485J for you since they hold your EB2 i140.
• Interfile with Company B: You cannot request interfiling with Company B unless they first file their own PERM + EB2 i140 and get it approved.

FAQ

The post How to Fill i485 supplement-J form for Green card? appeared first on AM22Tech.

Once you have the new H4 i94 in hand, you can send it to the USCIS via interfiling to get extended validity for the pending H4 EAD. USCIS does not ask you to send this new i94 explicitly to get an auto-EAD extension, but, we recommend it.

Interfiling is nothing but an informal process where you send the document to the USCIS service center with a cover letter that explains what you would like to do.

• USCIS does not send any receipt or acknowledgment for interfiled documents.
• There is no other formal process by USCIS to accept your new i94 unless they explicitly request it via an RFE (Request for Evidence).

Documents Required

You can write a simple cover letter by typing and including all your i765 details or use the app to generate one.

The app sends you the generated letter by email. You can then print it on A4 size white (or pink/green to highlight) and then attach the following documents in this order:

1. i94 Interfile Cover Letter (Keep it on TOP).
2. H4 most recent i94 copy (paper-based or downloaded from CBP site).
3. H1B i797 approval copy.
4. H4 EAD i765 receipt copy.
5. Current H4 EAD card’s front and back side copy (even if expired).
6. Current Passport Copy (pages with photo and address).
7. Expired Passport Copy (if this new i94 is attached to this old passport number).
8. Any one current address proof (like Driving License, utility bill, etc.)

Use a paper clip or a binder to tie all the documents. Do not use a stapler.

We strongly recommend sending your i94-interfile package either by UPS, FedEx, or USPS with tracking.

You should send it to the USCIS service center where your i765 EAD application is currently pending. This address is available on the i765 receipt notice.

How to Write an i94 Cover Letter

The language in the letter by App is tried and tested and has been devised based on real-life successful cases.

The benefit of using the app is that it validates all the data and avoids mistakes thereby increasing the chances of interfiling success.

#Step 1 – Enter i765 EAD Receipt Details

Visit the USCIS i94 interfile letter app.

Click the ‘Scan i-765 Receipt (Full Image)‘ button. You can enter the data manually as well if you do not want to scan your USCIS i765 EAD receipt.

Scanning helps fill the form automatically.

Click the ‘Scan & Fill Data‘ button to start scanning.

The app uses its AI algorithm to read the USCIS receipt you added. It will show what values were read correctly and what others could not be read reliably.

If the scanned values appear to be wrong, you can edit them manually in the form.

At this time, the app has automatically filled the form with the values it was able to read from the scanned document.

#Step 2 – Enter H4 Name & Birth Details

Your name and birth date would be pre-filled if it was found in the scanned USCIS receipt. If not, then you can enter or edit manually.

#Step 3 – Enter your A number

Again, if the A-number was read from your i765 receipt, it will appear here.

If you do not know your ‘A-number‘, then you can leave it blank here.

#Step 4 – USA Last Entry Status (i94)

This is the most important step where you provide your most recent i94 information.

• If you visited any of the US land borders, then you will have a paper i94 issued by CBP. This i94 will also be available online on the CBP website.
  • Both online and paper i94 details should match if it’s the most recent i94.
  • If paper i94 does not match the online CBP i94 but it is the most recent, then use paper i94 details here.
• If you traveled by air or sea outside the USA and then got the new i94, then download it from the CBP website.

#Step 5 – My Contact

We suggest entering the same address as you wrote on your EAD i765 application form.

If you have changed your address after filing the i765 application and then filled the AR-11 form to inform the USCIS, then use the new address here.

This should be a US mailing address.

#Step 6 – Sign & Place (Optional)

You can enter the signing date and place to be printed on the letter. If you do not fill it in the form, then you will need to write it by hand before sending it to the USCIS.

• Sign Date: Date today or any date in the future when you want to use this document.
• Sign Place: City or state name where you are present at the time of signing this interfile letter.

#Step 7 – Header & Footer (Optional)

This section is optional for individual users. If you are sending this letter by yourself, then we suggest leaving it blank.

It can be used by companies and/or Attorneys to print custom text on the letter header and footer.

Add Barcodes & Generate a Letter

The app also gives you the option of adding your i765 case number barcode and A number barcode to help USCIS easily scan your application.

The barcodes are printed in USCIS-acceptable format automatically by the app if you select the options.

Barcodes are printed on top of the letter to help USCIS mailroom personnel quickly locate your pending EAD file.

ReApply H4 EAD after Getting a New H4 i94?

A common question is “Do I need to Re-Apply for H4 EAD once we have got the new I94 at the border?”

The answer depends on the way H4 has been filed:

#1 H4 Extension & H4 EAD are pending

There is no need to re-apply for H4 EAD once you have got a new H4 i94 at the US land border or by way of traveling outside the US.

#2 H4 COS & H4 EAD are pending
If you filed an H4 change-of-status and H4 EAD, then we strongly recommend reapplying for H4 EAD and sending the i94 interfile letter.

Why send an i94 if reapplying for H4 EAD with a new H4 i94?

Sending the new i94 to be attached to your currently pending H4 EAD may help you save USCIS processing time.

If the USCIS officer uses it or may then ignore the H4 COS application denial. Note that H4 COS will be denied since getting a new i94 automatically abandons your pending Change of status application.

FAQ

The post Send New H4 i94 to USCIS for EAD Auto Extension? (Interfile Cover Letter) appeared first on AM22Tech.

If yes, then you can create a ‘One and Same Person Affidavit‘ and get it notarized to prove that all names belong to the same person.

This affidavit is also known as the ‘same name affidavit form’ and can be submitted for legal purposes such as immigration, Green card application, or PR for Australia, Canada, the UK, and other such countries.

You can either write this affidavit yourself or use an app to fill it out for you.

Affidavit for Multiple Names on Different Documents

#1 Enter your Details

Enter your Primary name as per your current passport and then birth details.

You are also required to enter your current residential address. This address can be anywhere in the world irrespective of your birthplace or home country.

#2 Enter Other Names

You can enter different versions of your name for yourself. This is the same as entering your alias name.

Make sure that you do not make any mistakes in the name spelling as they will be written on the affidavit PDF.

Should I consider Social media names as ‘Other Names’?

A lot of people get confused with respect to choosing which names are considered other names especially when we use different alias names on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others.

The rules for what is considered ‘other names’ vary by country and purpose. We suggest writing all the names that you think people (your friend circle and family) know you along with your social media names.

Examples:

• In the USA, it is expected and required by law that you consider all names like maiden name, social media names that people know you with, and names on all legal documents like passport, birth certificate, education documents, and others mentioned on this same name affidavit form.
• Other countries may have different requirements and may or may not require you to mention your name that you are not on any legal document.

Our suggestion is to use all names if you are not sure about the actual requirement to make the document universally acceptable.

#3 Enter Father’s Name

The last step in data entry is to fill in your father’s name. Once you are done, you can click the ‘validate and save’ button to check all your data.

If there are any errors, the app will automatically ask you to fix them.

If there are no errors, you can purchase (if applicable) the document and your affidavit will be sent to your registered email address within minutes.

Email with Affidavit

Notary

The notary will be required from your local notary to make it a legally valid document. You must sign this affidavit in front of the notary.

The notary service may be known by a different name in your place of residence like ‘Justice of peace’ in Australia, ‘Commissioner of Oaths’ in England / Wales, etc.

There are options for online notaries as well in the USA where they connect and see you sign via video call. Not all states in the US accept online notaries though.

Example:

The state of Texas in the USA allows online notaries while some counties in California accept documents notarized by online communication.

Please check with your local state/county law before getting online notary services:

• DocVerify
• Notarize
• NotaryCam
• Pavaso
• Safedocs
• SIGNiX

Photo on Multiple Name Affidavit

The photo is not required but highly recommended to avoid forging documents.

We recommend pasting a passport-size photo (according to the passport photo rules) of your country of residence and then signing across the photo so that half of the signature appears on the affidavit.

Sample Same Name Affidavit

This is a sample affidavit that arrives by email.

The app automatically adds the most recent tried and tested legal language based on your country and state of residence. All such country and state-specific formats have not been shown here due to limited space.

Example:

• The same name affidavit in New York, US may have a slightly different language than the one created for a person living in Edinburg, UK.
• Similarly, the language of the same name affidavit may be edited by the app based on the purpose of use like immigration or real estate purchase, or a civil/criminal court case proceeding.
• The address on the final affidavit is also printed based on the residence address, and the address format requirements along with country-specific date formats.
• The self-help app will always provide you with the most recent and updated PDF document that’s currently being accepted by your local government and the purpose.
• The app provides LIVE text chat support in case you have questions and a full refund policy.

Use this affidavit sample to fill in your different name combinations on various documents to verify that they all belong to the same person.

FAQ

The post One and Same Person Affidavit for Multiple Names (Immigration/Other) appeared first on AM22Tech.

NABC is an official letter signed by the local registrar or the municipality department mentioning that there is no record of your birth in the government records.

Similarly, Australian, Canadian, and other country immigrants will request either an original birth certificate or a Non-availability birth certificate document (NABC).

A birth certificate should have this information:

• Full Name
• Date of birth (dd/MM/yyyy format is acceptable)
• Place of birth (Village, City, or state name acceptable)
• Mother and Father’s Full Name
• The issuing agency’s official seal
• Registration date – must be within one year of your birth (365 days).
• Birth certificate Issue date – This can be any time after your birth including the current date.

Birth Certificate From Home Country

We will take the example of India to get a birth certificate. The process might be similar in most Asian countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and China.

Even if the process of the agency that issues the birth certificates in your country is different, the content is the same.

Birth Certificate from India

Every Indian state has its process but most of them follow the same process. Your local municipality is responsible for issuing the birth certificate.

These days, most of them have digitalized their records from the past and they should be able to find your birth record from the 1980s. Some of them have also created an online service to request a birth certificate.

Here is a sample birth certificate issued by the Municipality of Delhi in India.

Your birth certificate is acceptable for the USA green card with the form i-485 or I-130 family green card application as long as it has the text written in English.

No Birth Certificate Available

If you do not have a birth certificate, then you would need to provide two secondary documents:

#1 Non-Availability of Birth Record (NABC)

The best option is to get a letter from your home country authority like the municipality in India that they have no record and cannot issue a birth certificate for you.

This letter should be issued by the municipal authority from your birthplace.

This NABC can be used for USA Green Card (i485), Australia PR, Canada PR, New Zealand immigration, and UK residency or work visa.

Sample letter of no birth certificate availability

This is a sample NABC issued by the government of Tamilnadu.

Another NABC sample is for the birth records not available in Guwahati, Assam:

#2 Notarized Affidavits from Parents/Neighbors/Relatives

The affidavit should mention the details of your birth as recalled by this person.

Your mom and dad can write these affidavits for you. If they are not alive, you can ask any of your close relatives who are older than you to write these.

Two separate persons should write this and describe the place, date, and method of your birth as known to them.

These affidavits should have the details of the person who is writing them:

• Full name, address, date, and place of birth
• Their relationship with you
• How do they know you
• Date and place of your birth
• Names of your father and mother

Sample Birth Certificate Affidavit

How to create a Birth Certificate Affidavit Online?

You can use AM22Tech’s Birth certificate app to create affidavits online.

Log in to apps.am22tech.com here.

Enter your details:

1. My Details: Step one is to enter your details as per your passport, gender, country of birth, date, and place of birth.
2. My Family: Enter your family details including your Father and Mother. Spouse information is optional if you are single or divorced.
3. Affidavits 1 and 2: This should be the information about the person who is writing this affidavit for you. Enter their full name, date of birth, full current address, and relationship with you.
4. Click the ‘Save‘ button to save your data.
5. Click the ‘Create Affidavits & Email‘ button to create and email your affidavits to your email address.
6. Affidavits cannot be viewed online for security reasons. They can only be sent to the email address that you used while registering on am22tech.com.
7. Print each affidavit separately on an A4 white paper.
8. Each affidavit writer should sign the affidavit.
9. Enter the date of signature and then get the notary’s signature and stamp.
10. Use a scanner to scan and save it for your records.

Translation

If the birth certificate is written in any native language like Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati, Telugu, Chinese, Urdu, etc., then you should get it translated preferably by professional translators.

• Professional translators in the USA usually charge about $20 a page.
• Any of your friends who know both your native and English language can also translate it for you. USCIS in the USA allows non-professional translators too.
• Australian, Canadian, and other countries require translation from officially authorized translators only.

Sample Translation Cover Letter

FAQ

The post Birth Certificate, substitutes, NABC for USA Green Card, Australia, Canada PR appeared first on AM22Tech.