Why would I need help filling out forms? That’s all the immigration process is about, right?
First, addressing the second question, the U. S. Immigration processes we discuss here and assist with are “about” a whole lot more than filling out forms. We’ll discuss more of that later. As to the first question, here are a couple of the most common mistakes in filling out forms, just so you get a little of the context.
- When filing for the spouse, the main petition form asks you to, “List spouse and all children of your relative.” Quite often when we review forms people have already started before hiring us, or when we read about the problems of others, on self-help sites, we see the foreign spouse’s name listed there, and the US Citizen’s children. The correct answer is to enter the U.S. Citizen “petitioner’s” name as the spouse of the foreigner for which they are petitioning, along with all children of the foreign spouse, regardless of age, marital status or whether they intend to immigrate to the USA.
- The couple is currently living together abroad, and the visa application asks if the foreigner’s spouse is immigrating with them. This one sounds easy. Since the couple will be traveling to the USA together, “yes” is the answer often given. However, a U. S. Citizen does not and cannot ever, “immigrate to the USA”. Immigration is for foreigners.
These are not trick questions, but neither of the two separate government agencies you’ll be dealing with, have designed their forms and instructions with the “first-timer” doing it themselves in mind. The forms ask many questions , where the intuitive answer for most folks, is simply not going to be correct. Most of the difficulties arise out of the difficulty of following intended context of the forms. To understand the context, one must first understand the process from beginning to end, along with the intended purpose of each form.
Neither USCIS, (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), formerly INS or Immigration and Naturalization Services, or the U. S. Department of State, attempt to provide a description of the entire process, involving both agencies. They do a reasonable job of providing the information professionals need, in order to keep up with changes in the processes of fiancé visa, fiancée, visa, spouse visa, Adjustment of Status, Removal of Conditions or Naturalization, so we can effectively guide our clients through them.
Back to the second question: While there are many forms to complete, the immigration processes for which Platinum Immigration Services, offers Consulting Services (guides you through), where the rubber really meets the road, is in determining the correct required supporting documents to include in the package, and, (often even more critical to success) the case specific additional documentation or evidence to supply in addition to the required forms and documents.
Since, neither USCIS or the Department of State do a good job of letting you know what’s coming next, so you can be prepared and avoid delays, we use our knowledge of the details and timelines of each process, along with our familiarity with the potential pitfalls, to keep things on track and make certain you are ready with whatever is going to be needed next, in your particular process.