The CR-1 forms for the spousal visa process, like any government forms, can be intimidating. The important thing to do is carefully follow instructions if you are doing it yourself, or choose professional assistance from an agency or attorney that is very experienced with the forms, how to properly fill them out, and when and how to submit them to the government.
The importance of the accuracy and quality to which all forms are filled out cannot be overstated. Many people seek assistance to avoid a "Request for Evidence" (RFE), which is one of the main reasons a petition has a long timeline.
Appendix of Spousal Visa Form
Form |
Purpose |
|---|---|
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative |
| G-1145 | e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Optional) |
| DS-260 | Immigrant Visa Electronic Application |
| DS-261 | Online Choice of Address and Agent |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support |
I-130
The I-130 is an important form needed to kickstart your spousal visa process. You file this form to the USCIS along with a $535 filing fee.
G-1145
An optional form is the G-1145. File this if you want the USCIS to electronically notify you they have received your immigration application. This speeds up your notification and avoids paper.
DS-260
During the NVC phase, you will electronically file the "Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application".
DS-261
Also during the NVC phase, you will need to electronically file "Online Choice of Address and Agent".
I-864
The "Affidavit of Support" is required to ensure the alien beneficiary has adequate financial support in the U.S. and is not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial needs in the future.
Tips When Filling Out Spousal Visa Forms
- Type or print in black ink. Even better, use a computer to print out typed forms.
- Follow the instructions for each form extremely carefully. Make no assumptions.
- Avoid even the most insignificant typos.
- Make copies of everything for your own records before sending to the USCIS.
- Don't trust companies who just sell forms. All forms are available free on uscis.gov.