What is Form I-130A?
Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary, is a supplementary form that is often submitted along with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Form I-130A is specifically used in family-based immigration cases to provide additional information about the foreign national spouse beneficiary who is being sponsored for a green card by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) petitioner.
The purpose of Form I-130A is to collect biographical information and background details about the spouse beneficiary. It helps U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) verify the authenticity of the marital relationship and the eligibility of the foreign national spouse to immigrate to the United States.
Key points about Form I-130A:
- Supplementary Form: Form I-130A is not a standalone form but is submitted in addition to Form I-130. It provides additional details about the spouse beneficiary that are not covered in Form I-130.
- Biographical Information: The form collects information about the spouse beneficiary’s name, address, date and place of birth, marital history, parents’ information, and other biographical details.
- Background Information: Form I-130A includes questions about the spouse beneficiary’s immigration history, criminal history, and other relevant background information.
- Required for Marriage-Based Petitions: Form I-130A is typically required when filing a marriage-based green card petition (Form I-130) for a foreign national spouse. It helps establish the legitimacy of the marital relationship.
- Photographs: The form may require the spouse beneficiary to submit two passport-style photos that meet the U.S. visa photo requirements.
- Joint Filing with Form I-130: Form I-130A is meant to be submitted concurrently with Form I-130. Both forms are typically filed by the U.S. citizen or green card holder petitioner to initiate the immigration process for the foreign national spouse nameviser.
- Personal Signatures: Both the U.S. citizen or green card holder petitioner and the spouse beneficiary need to sign the form.
- Supporting Documentation: While Form I-130A itself does not require extensive supporting documentation, it’s important to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the information provided on the form. USCIS may verify the details provided during the application process.
It’s important to note that immigration policies and forms can change over time. Therefore, it’s recommended to visit the official USCIS website to download the most up-to-date version of Form I-130A and to review the instructions before completing and submitting the form. If you have concerns or questions about Form I-130A or any other immigration-related matter, consider seeking advice from an immigration attorney or consultant.
How to fill out Form I-130A?
Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary, is used to provide additional information about the foreign national spouse beneficiary when filing a marriage-based green card petition (Form I-130). Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fill out Form I-130A:
Step 1: Download the Form Visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website and download the latest version of Form I-130A. Ensure you have the most recent version of the form to avoid any issues.
Step 2: Read the Instructions Before you start filling out the form, carefully read the instructions provided with the form. The instructions will guide you through the process and help you understand what information is required.
Step 3: Gather Necessary Information Collect all the information you will need to complete the form, including personal and biographical details about the foreign national spouse beneficiary.
Step 4: Provide Biographical Information Start by providing the foreign national spouse beneficiary’s biographical information. This includes their full name, address, date of birth, and country of birth.
Step 5: Marital History Answer the questions related to the marital history of the foreign national spouse beneficiary. This includes information about their current and previous marriages, if any.
Step 6: Information About Parents Provide information about the foreign national spouse beneficiary’s parents, including their full names, dates of birth, and countries of birth.
Step 7: Immigration History Answer the questions related to the foreign national spouse beneficiary’s immigration history. This includes information about previous U.S. entries, visa applications, and immigration status.
Step 8: Criminal History Answer the questions about the foreign national spouse beneficiary’s criminal history, if applicable. Be truthful and accurate in your responses.
Step 9: Photographs Attach two passport-style photos of the foreign national spouse beneficiary that meet the U.S. visa photo requirements.
Step 10: Sign and Date Both the U.S. citizen or green card holder petitioner and the foreign national spouse beneficiary need to sign and date the form.
Step 11: Review and Organize Review the completed Form I-130A to ensure accuracy and completeness. Double-check all information before proceeding.
Step 12: Submission Submit Form I-130A along with Form I-130 and any other required supporting documentation. Make sure to include all necessary forms and materials in your immigration application package.
Step 13: Keep Copies Make copies of the completed Form I-130A and all accompanying documents for your records. These copies can serve as evidence of your submission.
If you have concerns or questions about completing the form, consider seeking advice from an immigration attorney or consultant.
Who is required to submit Form I-130A?
Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary, is typically required to be submitted by the foreign national spouse beneficiary when filing a marriage-based green card petition (Form I-130). It is used to provide additional biographical and background information about the spouse beneficiary to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
In summary, Form I-130A is required to be submitted by the foreign national spouse beneficiary in the following circumstances:
- Marriage-Based Green Card Petition (Form I-130): When a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) petitioner files a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to sponsor their foreign national spouse for a green card, the foreign national spouse beneficiary is typically required to submit Form I-130A as a supplement to the petition.
- Intending Immigrant Spouse: If you are the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder and you are seeking to immigrate to the United States as a lawful permanent resident based on your marriage, you will generally need to submit Form I-130A to provide additional information about yourself to USCIS.
- Concurrent Filing: Form I-130A is often submitted concurrently with Form I-130. Both forms are submitted together as part of the same immigration application package.
It’s important to note that immigration policies and requirements can change over time, so it’s recommended to review the most up-to-date USCIS instructions and guidelines when preparing your immigration application. If you have concerns or questions about whether you need to submit Form I-130A or any other aspect of the immigration process, consider seeking advice from an immigration attorney or consultant.