Understanding the Beneficiary’s Entry Information in Part 4 of I-130 Form

Introduction

The I-130 form, officially known as the Petition for Alien Relative, is a critical component of the family-based immigration process in the United States. It serves as a formal request made by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to establish the familial relationship and enable eligible family members to immigrate to the United States. This multifaceted form encompasses a variety of questions and sections, each with its unique purpose. In this article, we’ll focus on a pivotal section within the I-130 form – the “Beneficiary’s Entry Information.” In Part 4, Page 7.

Understanding the Beneficiary’s Entry Information Section

The “Beneficiary’s Entry Information” section in the I-130 form is crucial for evaluating the beneficiary’s eligibility to establish or continue their familial connection with the petitioner and gain lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. Completing this section accurately is vital to provide USCIS with a comprehensive understanding of the beneficiary’s entry history, ensuring the legality and authenticity of their status within the United States.

• Question 45: Was the beneficiary EVER in the United States? This question is a simple “Yes” or “No” query to determine if the beneficiary has ever entered the United States. It serves as a fundamental piece of information to assess their eligibility for immigration benefits.
• Items Numbers 46.a – 46.d: If the beneficiary is currently in the United States (as indicated by a “Yes” response to Question 45), these items must be completed.
  • Item 46.a: He or she arrived as a (Class of Admission): This item seeks to determine the beneficiary’s initial status upon entry into the United States. In this example, Ana arrived on an F-1 student visa.
  • Item 46.b: Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number: The Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record number is a unique identifier for each traveler and is important for tracking entry and exit records.
  • Item 46.c: Date of Arrival (mm/dd/yyyy): This item requests the date when the beneficiary first arrived in the United States.
  • Item 46.d: Date authorized stay expired, or will expire, as shown on Form I-94 or Form I-95 (mm/dd/yyyy) or type or print “D/S” for Duration of Status: Here, the beneficiary provides the date when their authorized stay expired or is set to expire, which is typically indicated on their Form I-94 or Form I-95. In this case, “D/S” is used to signify “Duration of Status.”
• Item 47: Passport Number: This item requires the beneficiary to provide their passport number. It’s an essential piece of identification for USCIS.
• Item 48: Travel Document Number: If the beneficiary holds a travel document, they should provide the associated number in this field. If they do not possess a travel document, it should be left blank or marked as “N/A.”
• Item 49: Country of Issuance for Passport or Travel Document: This item asks for the country that issued the beneficiary’s passport or travel document. For example, in the fictitious beneficiary’s case, it’s Brazil.
• Item 50: Expiration Date for Passport or Travel Document (mm/dd/yyyy): Here, the beneficiary should specify the expiration date of their passport or travel document. In the example, it’s December 20, 2023.

These details help the USCIS thoroughly assess the beneficiary’s entry history, legal status, and eligibility for immigration benefits. Understanding the significance of each field is crucial to ensure accurate and complete form submission.

Sample Beneficiary Profile

To shed light on the “Beneficiary’s Entry Information” section, let’s introduce a fictitious beneficiary from Brazil. We’ll fill in the details based on the provided information:

Name: Ana Silva

Beneficiary’s Entry Information:

45. Was the beneficiary EVER in the United States? Yes

If the beneficiary is currently in the United States, complete Items Numbers 46.a. – 46.d.

46.a. He or she arrived as a (Class of Admission): F1 – STUDENT – ACADEMIC
46.b. Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Number: A1234567890
46.c. Date of Arrival (mm/dd/yyyy): 05/15/2017
46.d. Date authorized stay expired, or will expire, as shown on Form I-94 or Form I-95 (mm/dd/yyyy) or type or print “D/S” for Duration of Status: D/S

47. Passport Number: BR1234567

48. Travel Document Number: – (if not applicable)

49. Country of Issuance for Passport or Travel Document: Brazil

50. Expiration Date for Passport or Travel Document (mm/dd/yyyy): 12/20/2023

Please note the edition date (07/20/21) at the bottom of the form, which indicates the form’s version. It’s important to use the correct form edition when completing your application to avoid any issues or rejections.