A Form I-130A is a supplemental form that is submitted with a Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and supplemental documentation to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A Form I-130A is only included when a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) is petitioning his or her foreign spouse. A Form I-130A is not required for all other Form I-130 filings (i.e. parents and children).
The I-130A asks specific information related to the foreign spouse. This includes the names, place
of birth, and birth dates of his or her parents; previous and current addresses, previous marriages (if any); and other questions which the foreign spouse must answer truthfully.
Once completed and submitted with the accompanying Form I-130 documentation, USCIS will commence processing. If USCIS determines that any additional information is needed, the agency will send out a Request for Evidence also known as an RFE.
For more information or questions concerning a Form I-130A, contact an immigration attorney for further assistance.
Form I-130A vs Form I-130 — What Is the Difference
| Form I-130 | Form I-130A | |
| Who files it | U.S. citizen or LPR petitioner | The foreign spouse (beneficiary) |
| Purpose | Main petition establishing the family relationship | Supplemental information about the foreign spouse |
| Required when? | Always — for all family-based petitions | Only when sponsoring a spouse (I-130 + I-130A filed together) |
| What it covers | Petitioner’s information, relationship evidence | Beneficiary’s addresses, employment, immigration history |
| Filed by | The U.S. sponsor | The foreign spouse fills it out |
How to Complete Form I-130A: Section-by-Section Guide
| Section | What to Enter | Common Issues |
| Part 1: Beneficiary Information | Full legal name as it appears on passport, DOB, place of birth, country of citizenship | Name must match passport exactly |
| Part 2: Beneficiary’s Address History | All addresses for past 5 years | Include all countries — no gaps |
| Part 3: Beneficiary’s Employment | Current employer + past 5 years | Include all periods including unemployment |
| Part 4: Parents of Beneficiary | Both parents’ full names, DOB, birthplace | Include deceased parents |
| Part 5: Other Information | Prior marriages, children, criminal history | Disclose all prior marriages and divorces |
| Part 6: Beneficiary’s Signature | Beneficiary must sign personally | Cannot be signed by petitioner or agent |
Where to File Form I-130A
Form I-130A is NOT filed separately — it is always submitted TOGETHER with Form I-130.
Filing location depends on where the U.S. petitioner lives:
• If the petitioner lives in the U.S.: file with USCIS at the address on the I-130 instructions
• If the petitioner lives abroad (e.g., in Vietnam or Philippines): file at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the beneficiary will interview
Online filing: Both I-130 and I-130A can now be filed online at my.uscis.gov
USCIS filing fee for I-130 + I-130A: $535 (as of 2024 — verify current fee at uscis.gov)
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