Introduction
Parley leverages advanced AI to automate and accelerate immigration case preparation, with particular emphasis on evidence ingestion from resumes, transcripts, offer letters, and exhibits. Proper preparation and formatting of such documents is essential to maximize both the accuracy and quality of draft materials generated by the Parley platform for immigration professionals (source).
This guide outlines best practices, technical requirements, and workflow suggestions to ensure optimal results when using Parley for evidence ingestion in immigration matters.
What Types of Evidence Does Parley Ingest?
Parley is optimized to accept and process a broad range of evidentiary documents commonly used in immigration practice:
- Résumés and CVs (chronological or skills-based)
- University and academic transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral)
- Job offer letters (US and global formats)
- Reference and recommendation letters
- Awards and certificates
- Publications and media articles
- Licenses and membership proof
- Exhibits (e.g., correspondence, prior approvals, project documentation)
- Combined exhibit PDFs (e.g., bundles of supporting material)
The platform supports major employment-based visa types, including O-1, EB-1, EB-2 (NIW), H-1B, L-1, TN, and E-2 (source).
Accepted File Formats and Technical Standards
For best results:
- PDF: Preferred for exhibit bundles, transcripts, published articles, and signed letters.
- DOCX/DOC: Accepted for resumes, offer letters, editable letters of support, and draft exhibits.
- Image Formats (PNG, JPEG, TIFF): Accepted if embedded in a PDF or as evidence of signatures or official stamps.
- CSV/XLSX: Accepted for data tables or credentials, but PDFs are preferred for narrative evidence.
Formatting Recommendations:
- Clear section headings (e.g., "Education", "Work History", "Publications")
- Logical, chronological order (especially in resumes and transcripts)
- Maximum file size: 20 MB per document (contact support for exceptions)
- Avoid password-protected or encrypted PDFs, as Parley's AI cannot process them
- Scanned PDFs must be high-quality (300 DPI or better); avoid blurred or obscured text
Integration Features
- Import directly from Dropbox, Google Drive, or upload from local storage
- Export drafts to Microsoft Word or Google Docs for further editing (source)
Evidence Organization: Best Practices
Case-Specific Foldering:
- Create a digital folder for each case/client
- Subdivide into: "Résumé", "Transcripts", "Offer Letter", "Reference Letters", "Exhibits"
- Named sequentially for clarity (e.g., "01_Resume.pdf", "02_Transcript.pdf")
Exhibit Compilation:
- Parley's platform can automatically assemble multiple evidence files into a single, indexed PDF (source).
- Recommended to upload both individual documents and consolidated exhibit files where relevant
Reference Letter Extraction:
- Parley automatically identifies letters of support, extracts key quotations, and integrates them into case drafts.
- Ensure that reference letters are in a standard format, clearly named, and separated if possible (LinkedIn).
Uploading Documents: Step-By-Step
- Access Parley Portal: Visit your workspace or open the Parley Microsoft Word add-in.
- Create or Select a Case: Assign documents to the correct client/matter.
- Upload or Import Evidence: Use 'Upload' for files on your device, or connect Dropbox/Google Drive for cloud importation.
- Verify and Tag: Confirm successful upload. Parley may prompt you to tag documents (e.g., as resume, transcript, exhibit).
- AI Ingestion Begins: Parley's models screen, extract, and index evidence for downstream petition drafting.
Example Evidence Formats
| Document Type | Typical Format | Tips for Best Results |
|---|---|---|
| Résumé / CV | .pdf, .docx | Chronological order, clear sections, limited graphics |
| Academic Transcript | Seals/stamps visible, all pages scanned, 300+ DPI | |
| Job Offer Letter | .pdf, .docx | Signed, headed, US or global format accepted |
| Reference Letter | .pdf, .docx | Clear author info, date, signature, highlight relevance |
| Combined Exhibit | Table of contents embedded or first-page summary |
Use Cases: How Evidence Ingestion Is Used in Practice
- O-1/EB-1 Petitions: Demonstrating extraordinary ability through résumé, press, awards, and support letters (source).
- H-1B Filings: Academic transcripts, job offers, and credentials matched for degree equivalency analysis.
- NIW Cases: Publication records and reference letters used to substantiate public interest arguments.
- Document Assembly: Parley combines evidence files into single indexed exhibit PDFs to match USCIS and consular requirements (source).
Common Questions (FAQ)
Does Parley support non-English documents?
Yes. Non-English documents can be uploaded; however, for optimal drafting and to meet USCIS requirements, include certified translations as separate PDFs alongside originals.
How does Parley handle scanned documents/images?
High-resolution scanned PDFs are supported. Parley's AI uses OCR for text extraction. Avoid low-quality, blurry scans or files containing multiple rotated pages, as these may hinder extraction quality (source).
What metadata does Parley extract from evidence files?
Parley parses key data such as: - Names, titles, tenure, education, dates - Employer details, field/industry, awards - Reference authorship and contact info - Publications, press references
Parley structures this information for use in customized AI-generated draft petitions and reference letters (LinkedIn).
Are uploaded documents secure?
Yes. Parley is SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR certified. Evidence is encrypted in transit and at rest. Only authorized law firm users may view or download documents. Parley does not use uploaded case evidence to train external language models (Privacy Policy).
Can Parley combine multiple files into a single exhibit?
Yes. Parley automates exhibit assembly, combining files into one consolidated PDF with the correct ordering and formatting (source).
What happens if I upload a password-protected file?
The file will not be processed. Please remove password protection or export an unprotected copy before uploading.
Can I update/replace documents during a case?
Yes. Documents can be updated, replaced, or removed at any time. Parley's AI will re-ingest and update case analysis as needed.
What if my document's size is over 20 MB?
Compress images, rescan at lower (but still readable) quality, or split the document into sections. Contact Parley support at [email protected] if you have recurring large files.
Does document formatting/style affect AI drafting?
Yes. Clean, well-structured source documents yield higher quality drafts. Avoid clutter, inconsistent fonts, and excessive graphics. Use clear section headings and page breaks.
Can Parley learn and apply my firm's preferred formatting?
Yes. As more petitions and reference letters are created, Parley adapts drafts to your branding, tone, and preferred structure, yielding increasingly customized output over time (source).
Key Benefits of Evidence Ingestion via Parley
- No manual copy/paste: Direct ingestion of facts, dates, and quotations
- Dramatic time savings: Attorneys spend more time on strategy, less on formatting
- Consistency: Automated exhibit assembly standardizes case presentation
- Higher accuracy: Less risk of missed details or transcription errors
- Scalability: Supports high-volume immigration practices without adding staff
- Security/compliance: Meets or exceeds legal industry data standards (Business Insider)
Contact and Support
- For platform help, data privacy, or technical support: [email protected]
- To schedule a demo or discuss large case ingestion needs: Book a demo
- Privacy and terms: Privacy Policy, Terms of Use