Demystifying the I-130 Form: Additional Information About Beneficiary in Part 4

Introduction

The (I-130 form) is a vital document in the immigration process, serving as the initial step towards bringing family members to the United States. Among the sections within the I-130 form, “Additional Information About Beneficiary” plays a significant role. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of this section, explaining how to accurately fill it out and why it’s crucial for your immigration journey. The instructions for this section can be found on page 8 of I-130, Part 4, “Information About Beneficiary.”

Providing Personal Information

 

The “Additional Information About Beneficiary” section is where you provide essential details about the beneficiary, helping immigration authorities assess your eligibility to sponsor them. Here, you will need to provide the beneficiary’s last address if you are filing for your spouse.

If you and your spouse have never lived together, you should type or print, “Never lived together” in Item Number 59.a. However, if you have lived together, you’ll need to complete several key address details. Let’s break down these fields:

• 59.a Street Number and Name: In this field, you should provide the street number and name of the last address where you and the beneficiary lived together. This helps establish a concrete location for the authorities.
• 59.b. Apt. Ste. Flr.: If applicable, include the apartment, suite, or floor number of your previous residence.
• 59.c. City or Town: The city or town where the beneficiary’s last address is situated should be accurately filled in this field.
• 59.d. State: Provide the state or region associated with the beneficiary’s last address.
• 59.e. ZIP Code: Include the ZIP code to pinpoint the specific area within the city or town.
• 59.f. Province: If applicable, indicate the province related to the beneficiary’s last address.
• 59.g. Postal Code: Provide the postal code, if relevant to the beneficiary’s last residence.
• 59.h. Country: The country where the beneficiary’s last address is located should be accurately stated.

By accurately completing these address fields, you help immigration authorities verify your relationship with the beneficiary and ensure that the right information is processed for your immigration application.

Adjustment of Status or Consulate Processing

After providing the necessary personal information about the beneficiary in the I-130 form, it’s crucial to understand the options for adjusting the beneficiary’s immigration status. This largely depends on their current location and immigration plans. Here are the two primary scenarios to consider:

If the beneficiary is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status:

• 61.a. City or Town: In this field, specify the city or town where the beneficiary will apply for adjustment of status at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. This is typically the next step after the I-130 approval when the beneficiary is already in the United States.
• 61.b. State: Provide the state in which the USCIS office is located where the beneficiary intends to apply for adjustment of status.

If the beneficiary will not apply for adjustment of status in the United States but will apply for an immigrant visa abroad (Consulate Processing):

• 62.a. City or Town: Indicate the city or town where the beneficiary plans to apply for an immigrant visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. This option is chosen when the beneficiary is residing outside the United States and intends to complete the immigration process from abroad.
• 62.b. Province: Include the province or administrative region, if applicable, related to the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.
• 62.c. Country: Specify the country where the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate is located.

It’s essential to note that while these options seem straightforward, there’s a degree of discretion involved. Choosing a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate outside the country of the beneficiary’s last residence doesn’t guarantee acceptance of the beneficiary’s case for processing. The designated embassy or consulate has the authority to decide whether to accept the case, so it’s essential to make this choice carefully and based on the beneficiary’s specific circumstances.

Understanding these options is pivotal in navigating the immigration process effectively, and completing this section accurately ensures that your application proceeds smoothly.

Case Study: Navigating the I-130 Form for Family Reunification

Meet John Chen, a U.S. citizen residing in New York, who is eager to reunite with his spouse, Mei Chen, currently living in China. John is undertaking the intricate journey of sponsoring Mei to join him in the United States. The I-130 form is a critical step in this process, and the “Additional Information About Beneficiary” section comes into play.

Providing Personal Information:
For John, the beneficiary is his spouse, Mei. They’ve lived together in China before, so there’s a physical address to provide.

• 59.a Street Number and Name: They lived at 123 Blossom Street, a cozy apartment in Beijing.
• 59.b. Apt. Ste. Flr.: Apt. 4A
• 59.c. City or Town: Beijing
• 59.d. State: Blank
• 59.e. ZIP Code: 100000
• 59.f. Province: Beijing Municipality
• 59.g. Postal Code: 100000.
• 59.h. Country: China
• 60.a. Date From (mm/dd/yyyy): 01/10/2018.
• 60.b. Date To (mm/dd/yyyy): 08/21/2021

Adjustment of Status:
Since Mei is currently in the United States, John plans for her to apply for adjustment of status at the nearby USCIS office.

• 61.a. City or Town: New York City
• 61.b. State: New York

Now, let’s consider the alternative scenario, which may apply to other beneficiaries:

If the beneficiary will not apply for adjustment of status in the United States but will apply for an immigrant visa abroad:

• 62.a. City or Town: In this field, specify the city or town where Mei intends to apply for an immigrant visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. Since Mei is in China, she plans to go to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
• 62.b. Province: Beijing Municipality
• 62.c. Country: China

For Mei, the plan is to complete the immigration process from her home country by applying for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. John and Mei carefully considered the best approach for her situation, recognizing the importance of choosing the right U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate for the application.

This case study underscores the significance of understanding the adjustment of status options and selecting the appropriate embassy or consulate based on the beneficiary’s location.

Where to File

When filing Form I-130 with USCIS, you have two options: online or by mail. Your filing location depends on your residence and whether you’re concurrently filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).

Filing Your Form I-130 Online:

• Create an online account.
• You can file online even if your relative is in the U.S.
• Receipt notice sent to your online account.
• Not available for fee waivers or Form I-485/Form I-129F online filing.
• USCIS only accepts properly filed forms.

Filing Your Form I-130 By Mail:

• U.S. residents: Choose the Chicago, Dallas, Elgin, or Phoenix Lockbox based on your location.
• Non-U.S. residents have multiple options, including the USCIS Elgin Lockbox and U.S. Embassy/Consulate in certain cases.

This guide equips you to navigate the I-130 form and understand where and how to file it, essential for sponsoring family members’ immigration.