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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR THE SPOUSE OF A LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT BEFORE THE SPOUSE APPLIES TO ADJUST STATUS (IN THE UNITED STATES) OR CONSULAR PROCESS AT A U.S. CONSULATE (OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES)

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Welcome to ImmigrationLinks.com, Inc., "Your Immigration Link to the World". The information contained in this iKitTM is the most accurate, up-to-date information available, and will allow the average person to find out about new changes in the immigration laws, so that they can prepare and file their own immigration case without the need of spending hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars on attorneys' fees. *Terms of use and disclaimer.

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

NOTE THIS PRODUCT PREVIEW FOR THE iKITTM HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO SHOW SELECTED PAGES AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE

iKITTM IN ITS ENTIRETY.

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I – IKIT OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................... 5 A. B. C. D.

WHO SHOULD FILE / USE THIS IKIT ? .....................................................................................................................5 VISA AVAILABILITY ................................................................................................................................................5 WHAT IS LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE (GREEN CARD) AND ITS BENEFITS?.................................................................5 DEFINITION .........................................................................................................................................................5

SECTION II – PROCESS OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................... 8 A.

PART 1 – LPR PETITIONING FOR SPOUSE...................................................................................................................8 1. PRE-REQUISITES FOR LPR FILING ........................................................................................................................8 2. PREPARING AND SENDING THE I-130 PACKAGE .....................................................................................................8 3. WAITING FOR A DECISION ON THE I-130 PETITION .................................................................................................8 4. NATIONAL VISA CENTER....................................................................................................................................9 PART 2 – CONSULAR PROCESSING OR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS ..................................................................................10 1. CONSULAR PROCESSING ..................................................................................................................................10 2. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS.................................................................................................................................11

SECTION III – IMMIGRATION FORM, DOCUMENTS & EVIDENCE .......................................................................... 12 A. B.

C. D.

FORMS OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................................12 REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCE FOR FORMS AND/OR INTERVIEW ......................................................................12 1. PROOF OF LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENCE ..........................................................................................................12 2. PROOF OF FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTS FOR ALIEN SPOUSE ......................................................12 3. PROOF OF THE BONA FIDES OF YOUR MARRIAGE .................................................................................................12 TRANSLATIONS...................................................................................................................................................15 PHOTOS ...........................................................................................................................................................16

SECTION IV– IMMIGRATION LAWS...................................................................................................................... 17 A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K.

INA § 101 – DEFINITIONS [8 U.S.C. § 1101] .......................................................................................................17 INA § 201 – WORLDWIDE LEVEL OF IMMIGRATION [8 U.S.C. § 1151] ......................................................................19 INA § 203 (D) – PROCEDURE..............................................................................................................................20 INA § 204 –PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING IMMIGRANT STATUS [8 U.S.C. § 1154] .......................................................20 INA § 205 – REVOCATION OF APPROVAL OF PETITIONS; EFFECTIVE DATE [8 U.S.C. § 1155] ..........................................22 INA § 245 – ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF NONIMMIGRANT TO THAT OF PERSON ADMITTED FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE [8 U.S.C. § 1255].................................................................................................................................................22 9 FAM 40.1 N2.4 – QUALIFICATION OF ADOPTED CHILD UNDER INA 101(B)(1)(E) ....................................................26 9 FAM 40.1 N5 – SON OR DAUGHTER DEFINED .....................................................................................................27 9 FAM 42.31 – FAMILY SPONSORED IMMIGRANTS .................................................................................................28 9 FAM 42.31 N1 – ENTITLEMENT TO CLASSIFICATION UNDER INA 203(A) .................................................................29 9 FAM 42.31 N2 – DERIVATIVE STATUS FOR SPOUSE AND CHILD(REN).......................................................................29 a. N2.1 – Offspring of Derivative Child .........................................................................................................29 b. N2.2 – Filing Petitions for Derivative Aliens ..............................................................................................29 9 FAM 42.31 N4 – AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF PETITIONS ....................................................................................30 a. N4.1 – Immediate Relative Converts to First or Third Preference.............................................................30 b. N4.2 – First Preference Converts to Third Preference ...............................................................................30 c. N4.3 – Second Preference Converts to Immediate Relative ......................................................................30 d. N4.4 – Second Preference Converts to First Preference ............................................................................30 e. N4.5 – Third Preference Converts to First Preference ...............................................................................30

SECTION V – FILLING OUT FORMS ........................................................................................................................ 32 A.

GENERAL TIPS....................................................................................................................................................32

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

I-130 PETITION FOR THE ALIEN RELATIVE (MANDATORY FORM) .................................................................................34 1. LINE BY LINE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM I-130 (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE LPR) .........................................................34 2. CHECKLIST FOR FORM I–130 ...........................................................................................................................39 G-325A – BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (MANDATORY FORM FOR EACH SPOUSE) ...........................................................40 1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR G-325A (MANDATORY FORM) ..............................................................................................40 2. CHECKLIST FOR G-325A .................................................................................................................................43

SECTION VI – PREPARING YOUR I-130 PACKAGE .................................................................................................. 44 A. B.

ADMINISTRATIVE ................................................................................................................................................44 COVER LETTER TO USCIS .....................................................................................................................................44

SECTION VII – AFTER FILING ................................................................................................................................. 45 A. B.

RECEIPT NOTICES AND INQUIRIES ..........................................................................................................................45 INFOPASS INFORMATION .....................................................................................................................................46

SECTION VIII – EXHIBITS ....................................................................................................................................... 47 A. B.

EXHIBIT A – COVER LETTER TO USCIS WHEN THERE ARE NO CHILDREN .........................................................................47 EXHIBIT B – CERTIFICATION BY TRANSLATOR STATEMENT ...........................................................................................48

SECTION IX – OTHER POTENTIAL ISSUES .............................................................................................................. 49 A. B. C. D. E. F.

LPR BECOMES A U.S. CITIZEN (USC) .....................................................................................................................49 LPR PETITIONER’S DEATH ....................................................................................................................................49 DIVORCE...........................................................................................................................................................51 SPOUSE BENEFICIARY’S DEATH..............................................................................................................................51 LPR LOSES STATUS AS LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENCE ..............................................................................................51 DERIVATIVE BENEFICIARIES...................................................................................................................................51

SECTION X – CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 53

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

SECTION I – IKIT OVERVIEW A.

WHO SHOULD FILE / USE THIS IKITTM? A Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) may use this iKitTM to petition for his/her (1) Alien Spouse for the F2A family preference category. The Alien Spouse does not qualify for the Immediate Relative (IR) category because the petitioning LPR is not a U.S. Citizen (USC). The F2A category includes both the Spouse and any Unmarried Minor (under 21) Children (UMC), but this iKitTM will address only the Alien Spouse. If there are any UMC, it is strongly recommended that the LPR petition for any UMC separately even though they could be included in the Alien Spouse’s petition as derivative beneficiaries. This prevents any potential future complications that could arise where a UMC could lose his/her opportunity for an immigrant visa. For more information about this and any additional circumstances that may affect any beneficiary see Section IX.

VISA AVAILABILITY Only 114,200 visas per year [plus the number by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000 (if any) and any unused visas from the F1 category] are available worldwide in this visa category. At least 77% (about 87,900) of the visas in the F2A category will be allocated to the Spouses and UMC, where the remainder (about 26,300) will be allocated to unmarried sons and daughters of the F2B category. Note: The Spouse must have an approved immigrant petition (I-130) and wait for a visa number to become available before applying to adjust status in the United States (Adjustment of Status) or to obtain an immigrant visa abroad at a U.S. Consulate (known as Consular Processing). There is usually a long waiting list in this category, and depending on an alien beneficiary’s country of chargeability, s/he may have to wait several years before having the opportunity to become an LPR. To check the current waiting list in this preference category, click here.

WHAT IS LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENCE (GREEN CARD) AND ITS BENEFITS? Lawful Permanent Residence, commonly referred to as having a Green Card, gives the foreign national the status of being a LPR of the United States and allows the LPR to legally live and work in the United States. Possession of a Green Card does not affect the foreign national’s current citizenship. If the LPR were to travel abroad, the LPR must travel with his / her country’s passport when entering and leaving the United States. An LPR may travel to and from the United States without any limitations for up to 6 months, but some exceptions may apply.

DEFINITION 1. Adjustment of Status – This is the procedure that allows a foreign national to apply for US permanent residence (i.e., a “green card”) and is available only to certain foreign nationals. First, the applicant has to be eligible for a green card, and second, the alien must be in the United States legally (received a visa, entered on a visa

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

SECTION II – PROCESS OVERVIEW The following process generally applies to most cases when filing for your Spouse. However, it can vary based upon your personal situation. Consult an immigration lawyer if you have any questions about your unique situation. Although this iKitTM describes the overall process from the Petition to receiving the LPR card, this iKitTM only focuses on “Part 1” in detail. Depending on whether the petitioning LPR becomes naturalized, whether the Spouse was admitted or paroled into the United States, or resides overseas, you would purchase “Part 2” (the Family Adjustment iKitTM or the Consular Processing iKitTM ) after receiving the National Visa Center’s (NVC) notification from Step 4c (of Part 1) below. A.

PART 1 – LPR PETITIONING FOR SPOUSE 1. PRE-REQUISITES FOR LPR FILING Before a LPR petitioner considers filing, the Spouse must meet the following prerequisites: a. Legal Permanent Resident – petitioning spouse is a Legal Permanent Resident. b. Marriage – LPR and Spouse are legally married. 2. PREPARING AND SENDING THE I-130 PACKAGE a. Completing the I-130 Petition Utilize Sections III and V of this iKitTM when completing Form I-130. The lineby-line instructions within section V prevent commonly made mistakes when completing this form. The LPR has only one chance to efficiently and correctly complete his/her petition on behalf of his/her Spouse. b. Preparation of the Package After the LPR completes and signs the petition for his/her spouse, s/he will have to submit copies of all relevant documents proving the marriage and appropriate filing fees. Make sure to follow the instructions and recommendations as explained in Section V. 3. WAITING FOR A DECISION ON THE I-130 PETITION The mere filing of an I-130 petition does not give the Spouse beneficiary the right to remain in the United States while the petition is pending, or while waiting for the priority date to become current. If the Spouse is legally in the United States when the I-130 petition is filed, s/he can only remain in the U.S. by maintaining a valid nonimmigrant status. If s/he remains unlawfully in the United States, s/he may later be ineligible to adjust status or consular process because of the three or ten year bars. The Spouse should never overstay or otherwise violate his/her visa status for this will jeopardize the chances for later obtaining permanent residence status in the United States.

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

SECTION III – IMMIGRATION FORM, DOCUMENTS & EVIDENCE A.

FORMS OVERVIEW The chart below lists the forms that are necessary for a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) to successfully file for his/her Spouse beneficiary. Form Number I-130 G-325A (for LPR) G-325A (for Spouse)

Name of Form Petition for Alien Relative Biographical Information Biographical Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND EVIDENCE FOR FORMS AND/OR INTERVIEW First and foremost, the LPR must establish that s/he is a Legal Permanent Resident by providing a copy of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Card. Second, the LPR must prove that s/he is legally married to his/her foreign national Spouse by providing a copy of the marriage certificate. If either the LPR or Spouse were previously married, copies of any divorce decrees, death certificates, annulments, etc., must be submitted. If there are any children as a result of the marriage, it is important to include the child’s birth certificate to prove the bona fides of the marriage. 1. PROOF OF LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENCE LPR must establish his/her Legal Permanent Residence by providing a copy of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Card. 2. PROOF OF FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTS FOR ALIEN SPOUSE To prove that there is a family relationship between LPR and your Spouse, as well as the Spouse’s identity, submit the following documentation: a. Copy of Marriage Certificate; b. If either you or your spouse were previously married, submit copies of documents showing that all prior marriages were legally terminated (i.e, by death, divorce, annulment, etc.); c. Spouse’s foreign birth certificate; and d. Change of Name Certificate (if applicable). 3. PROOF OF THE BONA FIDES OF YOUR MARRIAGE In addition to the family relationship, you should submit any applicable documents that may evidence the bona fides (“good faith”) of your marriage. You do not need to send any of these with the petition, unless you have children (send copies of your children’s birth certificates). Have the bona fides available for presentation to USCIS at the time of your interview, which will be several years from now. The more

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

SECTION IV– IMMIGRATION LAWS A.

INA § 101 – DEFINITIONS [8 U.S.C. § 1101] (a)

As used in this Act – (35) The term “spouse”, “wife”, or “husband” does not include a spouse, wife, or husband by reason of any marriage ceremony where the contracting parties thereto are not physically present in the presence of each other, unless the marriage shall have been consummated. (39) The term “unmarried”, when used in reference to any individual as of any time, means an individual who at such time is not married, whether or not previously married.

(b)

As used in subchapters I and II of this chapter — (1) The term “child” means an unmarried person under twenty-one years of age who is– (A) a child born in wedlock; (B) a stepchild, whether or not born out of wedlock, provided the child had not reached the age of eighteen years at the time the marriage creating the status of stepchild occurred; (C) a child legitimated under the law of the child’s residence or domicile, or under the law of the father’s residence or domicile, whether in or outside the United States, if such legitimation takes place before the child reaches the age of eighteen years and the child is in the legal custody of the legitimating parent or parents at the time of such legitimation; (D) a child born out of wedlock, by, through whom, or on whose behalf a status, privilege, or benefit is sought by virtue of the relationship of the child to its natural mother or to its natural father if the father has or had a bona fide parent-child relationship with the person; (E) (i)

a child adopted while under the age of sixteen years if the child has been in the legal custody of, and has resided with, the adopting parent or parents for at least two years or if the child has been battered or subject to extreme cruelty by the adopting parent or by a family member of the adopting parent residing in the same household: Provided, That no natural parent of any such adopted child shall thereafter, by virtue of such parentage, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under this chapter; or

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

SECTION V – FILLING OUT FORMS A.

GENERAL TIPS There are two ways to fill out the necessary forms. First, you may type and print (with typewriter or computer) in black ink all necessary forms after downloading them from the USCIS website. Second, you may handprint neatly in black ink on all the forms that you submit. It is recommended that the signatures on the forms be signed in blue ink to show that they are originals / original duplicates. Regardless of whether you type or handwrite, don’t forget to also download and print the respective form’s instructions from the USCIS website. This iKitTM will refer to the USCIS instructions periodically within its line-by-line instructions. To further facilitate the entering of information into the required data fields on the forms that you will submit, it is highly recommended to have this iKitTM open alongside with the form that you will be filling out. 1. ADOBE ACROBAT – This iKitTM will reference various USCIS forms and instructions that are downloadable “pdf” formats. To make sure you do not have any technical difficulties in opening any required “pdf” files, update your Adobe Acrobat Reader before proceeding any further. 2. MANDATORY FORM – I-130 and G-325A. 3. EXTRA SPACE – if extra space is needed to complete any item, attach a continuation sheet (with your name and alien number if any), indicate the question number, and date and sign each sheet. 4. BLANK SPACES – answer all questions. Do not skip any questions deliberately or on accident. Do not leave any blanks. 5. NOT APPLICABLE – If there is a question that is “Not Applicable” to you type or print “N/A.” 6. NONE – If your answer to any form item is “None” type or print “None.” 7. TRANSLATIONS – All foreign language documents must be translated into English. The translator must certify the translation. See translation instructions above. 8. PROOF OF MARRIAGE – a certified copy of current marriage certificate. 9. PROOF OF TERMINATION OF PRIOR MARRIAGE(S) – this may include divorce decrees, death certificates, annulments, etc.

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F2A - Immigrant Petition for Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident

SECTION X – CONCLUSION If you have followed all of the instructions in this iKitTM, you are well on your way to obtaining an approved petition so that your spouse and children may either adjust status in the United States or apply abroad at a U.S. Consulate. You have been able to prepare “Part 1” of your entire application for permanent residence at a fraction of the cost that you would have paid to an immigration law attorney. In addition, you have been prepared far better than you would have been if you were doing the case yourself, without the aid of this iKitTM. It has been our pleasure to assist you with your case. If at any time you feel that you need to speak with one of the immigration law attorneys from this office, you can call us at (407) 833-8951 or make an appointment online. Furthermore, we hope that you will continue to visit our website at www.ImmigrationLinks.com for any information you need regarding US Immigration Law.

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