Introduction
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is to be filed by a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR) when he or she is sponsoring an eligible relative for immigration, therein if the relative who is being funded is the spouse of the U.S. citizen (or lawful permanent resident) then the additional Form I-130A (Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary) is to be filed for the marriage-based green card.
In this situation, the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsoring a foreign relative is called the “Petitioner, “whereas the person being sponsored in the case of Form I-130A is the spouse and is called the “Beneficiary.”
Form I-130A – Who needs to file It?
Filing Form I-130A depends upon whether the spouse who is the beneficiary is living in the United States or abroad. If the spouse is living in the United States, they are supposed to complete this form, whereas if they are living abroad, you, as the petitioner, are required to submit this form without signature with the USCIS.
What are the steps to fill Form I-130A?
Form I-130A can be submitted online or offline. The following parts are included in the form; you can answer them where required. For any question that does not apply to you, you can write “N/A” or “None” unless instructed otherwise.
Part 1: Information About You
While filling out the form, the first information in Part 1 is about your biographical details, wherein the first question is about your Alien Registration Number, which is also referred to as A-number, and USCIS Online Account Number (leave the blank if you do not have it). Thereafter, you have to provide your residential history over the last five years by providing all addresses, including any outside the U.S.
Part 2: Employment History
In Part 2, USCIS asks for your employment history, including jobs both inside and outside the U.S., over the past five years, wherein you will have to provide the names and addresses of your employers, including dates of employment.
Part 3: Employment Outside the U.S.
Complete Part 3 only if you haven’t provided all the required employment information in Part 2.
Part 4: Spouse Beneficiary’s Statement and Signature
Part 4 is where you need to provide your phone number and email address and sign and date the form. If the spouse beneficiary is living abroad, they may not need to sign the form.
Part 5 and 6: Interpreter’s or Prepare’s Information
If you had an interpreter or someone else who helped you understand the form’s instructions, they must complete Parts 5 and 6.
Part 7: Additional Information
Part 7 provides space for any additional details or explanations.
What are the documents required for Form I-130A?
While Form I-130A itself doesn’t require additional documents, you must submit it along with Form I-130 as evidence that proves your spousal relationship, which includes:
- Marriage Certificate:
- Proof of Terminated Marriages( if any)
- Joint Property Ownership
- Joint Lease
- Combined Finances
- Children’s Birth Certificates (if any)
- Affidavits( third parties who are aware of your relationship)
What is the processing time for Form I-130A?
Form I-130A is filed along with Form I-130. Therefore, there is no requirement for any additional time as it is part of the family sponsorship form, wherein it usually takes varied timelines depending upon the circumstances you are in, such as:
- If you’re married to a U.S. citizen and you’re applying for a green card while living in the United States, then it usually takes 10–23 months, whereas if you live abroad during the application, then it takes around 11.4–15 months.
- If you’re married to a US Green cardholder and are applying for a green card while living in the U.S. or abroad, the process takes 29–40 months.
What is the cost of Form I-130A?
There are no separate fees for Form I-130A as it is part of the family sponsorship form. The fees are included in Form I-130, and the cost associated with this is $675 for the offline application and $625 for the online application.
Conclusion
Form I-130A is not a standalone form but a supplement accompanying Form I-130 in family sponsorship applications. It is specifically required when the petitioner is sponsoring their spouse. Completing Form I-130A involves minimal additional effort, as it primarily collects supplementary information about the beneficiary spouse. There is no separate fee or extended processing time for Form I-130A, as it is included as part of the overall Form I-130 application process.
