Filling out USCIS form 130 is an important first step in sponsoring a foreign relative for a green card. The process requires plenty of documentation, including certified translations.
Questions 29-44 ask the petitioner for detailed information about their employment history and other personal details. Boundless recommends using a professional translation service to ensure that all the information is accurate and complete.
Petitioner’s Information
If you are a United States citizen, complete Part 1 of Form I-130 to sponsor an eligible foreign relative to immigrate to the U.S. and obtain a green card (permanent resident status). This is the first step in helping your family member become a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
Answer all questions, affirming that the information provided is true. If you are using an interpreter, provide their information and name and include the date of service.
For Questions 25-49, provide biographical information about yourself. For example, include your birth date, place of birth and gender. You will also need to provide your employment history and, if applicable, information about how you acquired citizenship or lawful permanent residence. If necessary, attach a certified translation of any documents in part 2 of the form that are not in English.
Beneficiary’s Information
The next section is about the intending immigrant (beneficiary). Questions here ask for details that pertain to the beneficiary’s family and their relationship with the petitioner.
Several questions ask about the beneficiary’s employment status and whether they have other children. Questions from 29 to 44 ask for the beneficiary’s town/city/village of birth, including the district and state if applicable. Questions 45 to 46 ask about the type of visa or admission method used for their last trip into the United States.
Questions from 47 to 48 ask about the beneficiary’s gender. The form doesn’t ask for a non-binary option, so you should choose male or female. Also, there’s a question asking whether they have an Alien Registration Number and USCIS Online Account Number. If they don’t, write N/A.
Additional Information About You
If you are a US citizen filing for a non-citizen spouse, this section requests information about your previous filing history for them. This is to help USCIS verify your relationship with the beneficiary.
If either you or your spouse are in the US illegally and intend to seek adjustment of status, you must consult a lawyer before answering this question. This is because this can be used against you later on in court if you are caught breaking the law again.
For Question 51, you must provide your beneficiary’s name and physical address abroad in their native alphabet (such as Gujarati, Hindi, Chinese, etc). You also need to write a daytime telephone number. Then you must provide the address of the State Department consulate that handles immigration cases for their home country.
Biographic Information
The form I-130 is a critical document within the United States immigration system that paves the way for citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their foreign national family members. It requires substantial proof of a familial relationship, and it’s important that it be filled out accurately. The petitioning spouse, also known as the Petitioner, must affirm that they understand and agree to all of the information provided in the petition. If the petitioner received help from a translator, they must identify them here and confirm that their interpretation was accurate and valid.
Questions 4-6 require the petitioner to provide biographical information about themselves and their parents. This includes their ethnicity, physical characteristics (height and eye color) and more. Questions 5-7 ask for their employment history, including current and past employers.
Withdrawal Request
A petition for alien relative is a necessary first step for an American citizen or lawful permanent resident to help an eligible foreign family member immigrate to the United States and obtain a Green Card. However, changing circumstances and better immigration strategies are some common reasons for withdrawing this form.
The petitioner must affirm that he or she understands the information in this application and sign it here. If a foreign-language interpreter helped with this petition, the translator must also sign and provide their contact information.
If a petition has already been approved, the petitioner must write to USCIS and request its withdrawal. The petitioner should include his or her name, the receipt number and a reason for the withdrawal. USCIS may take one to three months to review this request and deliberate on its decision.
