What is the marriage green card checklist of required documents if the spouse is abroad?
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and your spouse is living abroad, and you wish to sponsor them for a marriage-based green card, the following is a checklist of required documents for the application process:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: This is the primary form used to establish the qualifying relationship between you and your foreign spouse. You, as the petitioner, must complete and file this form with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency: As the petitioner, you must provide evidence of your U.S. citizenship (e.g., U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization) or permanent residency status (e.g., Permanent Resident Card – Green Card).
- Marriage Certificate: Provide a copy of the official marriage certificate to prove the authenticity of your marital relationship.
- Evidence of a Bona Fide Marriage: Include evidence of a bona fide marriage, showing that your marriage is genuine and not solely for immigration purposes. This evidence can include joint bank account statements, lease agreements, utility bills with both names, photos together, affidavits from friends and family, and any other relevant documents that show a shared life.
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864): Complete Form I-864 to demonstrate your ability to financially support your spouse. If your income does not meet the minimum requirement, you may need a joint sponsor who meets the income criteria.
- Financial Documents: Include evidence of your income, such as tax returns, W-2 forms, and recent pay stubs. If you have assets and are using them to meet the income requirement, provide relevant documentation, such as bank statements, property deeds, and investment statements.
- Proof of Termination of Previous Marriages (if applicable): If either you or your spouse were previously married, provide evidence of the termination of those marriages (e.g., divorce decree, death certificate).
- Passport Photos: Include passport-style photos of both you and your spouse that meet the USCIS specifications.
- Copy of Your Spouse’s Passport: Include a copy of your spouse’s valid passport.
- Medical Examination: Your spouse will need to undergo a medical examination by a designated civil surgeon. The results of the medical examination should be submitted as part of the application.
- Form I-864A (if using a joint sponsor): If you are using a joint sponsor to meet the income requirement, they must complete Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member.
- G-325A Biographic Information (if applicable): Your spouse will need to complete Form G-325A to provide biographic information.
Remember to carefully review the USCIS website or consult with an immigration attorney for the most up-to-date and accurate information on the marriage green card application process when your spouse is abroad. The application requirements and processes can change, so it’s essential to have the latest guidance for a successful application.
What is the checklist of required documents for Form I-130?
When filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to establish a qualifying relationship between a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and their foreign relative, the following is a checklist of the required documents:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: The primary form that initiates the process and establishes the relationship between the petitioner and the foreign relative.
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency: For the petitioner, provide evidence of U.S. citizenship (e.g., U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization) or permanent residency (e.g., Permanent Resident Card – Green Card).
- Proof of Relationship: Include documents proving the qualifying relationship between the petitioner and the intending immigrant topportal.org. This could be a marriage certificate for a spouse, a birth certificate for a child, or other supporting documents depending on the relationship.
- Passport-Style Photos: Provide passport-sized photos of both the petitioner and the intending immigrant, adhering to the USCIS specifications.
- Civil Documents: Include supporting civil documents, such as the petitioner’s birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), divorce decrees (if applicable), and any other relevant documents.
- G-325A Biographic Information (if applicable): If the intending immigrant is required to provide biographical information, submit Form G-325A.
- Proof of Termination of Previous Marriages (if applicable): If either the petitioner or the intending immigrant was previously married, provide evidence of the termination of those marriages (e.g., divorce decrees, death certificates).
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864): For family-sponsored immigrants, including immediate relatives (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens), the petitioner must complete Form I-864 to demonstrate their financial ability to support the intending immigrant.
- Financial Documents: Include evidence of the petitioner’s income, such as tax returns, W-2 forms, and recent pay stubs. If the petitioner does not meet the income requirement, they may need a joint sponsor (if applicable) to complete Form I-864A.
- Filing Fee: Submit the required filing fee along with the Form I-130. The fee amount may change, so check the USCIS website for the most up-to-date information.
- Evidence of Bona Fide Relationship: For marriage-based petitions, include evidence of a bona fide marriage to establish that the marriage is genuine and not solely for immigration purposes. This could include joint bank account statements, lease agreements, utility bills, photos together, affidavits from friends and family, and any other relevant documents that show a shared life.
Remember to carefully review the USCIS website or consult with an immigration attorney to ensure that you have all the necessary documents and information correctly prepared for the Form I-130 submission. The checklist may vary depending on the specific circumstances and relationship being claimed in the petition. Read more “list your business in the” “free and paid submission to the” “add your site” statistics
What is the checklist of required documents for Form I-864?
Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, is a critical document used in various immigration processes, including family-based green card applications. The form is submitted by the sponsor (petitioner) to demonstrate their financial ability to support the intending immigrant(s). Below is a checklist of required documents for Form I-864:
- Form I-864: The primary form that serves as the Affidavit of Support. The sponsor must complete and sign this form.
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency: Include evidence of the sponsor’s U.S. citizenship (e.g., U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization) or permanent residency status (e.g., Permanent Resident Card – Green Card).
- Federal Income Tax Returns: Provide copies of the sponsor’s most recent federal income tax returns (usually the past three years). This includes all schedules and attachments, such as W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and other income-related documents.
- Proof of Current Employment: Include recent pay stubs or income statements covering at least the past six months to demonstrate the sponsor’s current earnings from employment.
- Letter from Employer: A formal letter from the sponsor’s employer on company letterhead, confirming their job title, salary, and duration of employment.
- Financial Documents: If the sponsor has assets and is using them to meet the income requirement, provide relevant documentation, such as bank statements, property deeds, and investment statements.
- Proof of Termination of Previous Sponsorship Obligations (if applicable): If the sponsor has previously filed an Affidavit of Support for another immigrant, provide evidence of the termination of those obligations (e.g., Form I-797C, Notice of Action).
- Passport-Style Photos: Include passport-sized photos of the sponsor (petitioner), adhering to the USCIS specifications.
- Birth Certificate (if using a household member’s income): If the sponsor is combining their income with that of other household members (joint sponsors), include the birth certificate of the household member(s) providing support.
- Form I-864A (if using a household member’s income): If combining income with household members, each household member providing support must complete Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member.
- Form I-864W (if eligible): In certain cases, a sponsor may be eligible for an exemption from filing an Affidavit of Support if they meet specific criteria. If eligible, include Form I-864W, Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support.
Remember that the specific documents required may vary based on individual circumstances and the nature of the sponsorship. It’s essential to carefully review the USCIS website or consult with an immigration attorney to ensure you have all the necessary documents and meet the income requirements for the Form I-864 submission accurately.