How to get a green card for the spouse

STEP 1: The process starts with the filing of the I-130 petition ("petition for Alien relative"). The instructions on that form should be followed. What is required, in addition to the U.S. citizen completing and signing the form, is:

1. The marriage certificate of the Civil Ceremony
2. The U.S. passport of the citizen filing the petition
3. Previous divorce decrees for each person, if any
4. $110.00 filing fee, payable in cash in dollars or Bolivianos

The petition should be filed at the Consular Section of the Embassy. As soon as the consular section has approved the petition, we send a name check request to Washington, which may take as long as a month to receive a reply. Nevertheless, even while the name check is pending, the below steps take place at the same time:

STEP 2: The second step in the IV process is called "packet 3" which is usually handed out to people once they have filed the petition. The things to be completed in packet 3 are:

1. Application for IV (Form OF-230, part1)
2. Special type of photo for the green card
3. A check list for documents which are required
4. Birth certificates of the non-U.S. citizen
5. An affidavit of financial support (I-864) to be completed by the U.S. citizen. Note that this must include the last three years of IRS 1040 forms of the U.S. citizen who is petitioning. If the citizen can not meet these requirements, then a joint sponsor may be considered. The form has complete instructions.

1. Application for IV (Form OF-230, part 2)
2. A sworn statement to be completed by the applicant, and signed by the applicant in front of the consular officer.
   Police records for the applicant from every place the applicant has resided for more than six months after the age of 16 (called "certificado de antecendes" in Spanish). Available from the police here, which the applicant must obtain him/herself. In the case of other countries, the applicant usually needs to go to the Embassy of that country and request from them such a certificate.
3. A complete medical exam of the applicant. This must be done by the panel physician, not just any doctor. There is a list of panel physicians in packet four. It is up to the applicant to schedule all medical appointments, including lab work, x-ray, vaccinations, etc. and to provide payment for such services. The panel physician will complete all the necessary forms, such as form OF-157, "Medical Exam", Vaccination form, etc.
4. IRS Form 9003, a short form to be filed if the petitioner owes back taxes

STEP 4: The IV interview. Once everything above is complete and we have been notified by the applicant that he/she is prepared, the consular section schedules an IV interview for the applicant. Assuming that everything is complete, an immigrant visa may be issued the same day. The fee for the issuance of each immigrant visa is $325.00, which may be paid in US dollars or Bolivianos. The immigrant visa is valid for six months from the date of issuance, for one entry. The immigrant visa is a large sheet attached to all the above documents in a sealed envelope. INS opens the envelope upon the arrival of the applicant at a U.S. port of entry and usually within about six months, sends a green card to the person's home address in the U.S.

Some hints about how this process can be done as quickly as possible. The applicant should/can:

• Come to the Consular Section before the marriage and get required forms and information
• Have the applicant get his/her medical exams at the required panel physician with the required forms right away. The medical exams are good for one year.
• Have the applicant get his/her police certificates, which are also good for one year.
• Get the affidavit of support (I-864) and supporting documents (1040s) completed and notarized ASAP. Also good for a year, and in many cases, the U.S. citizen may require a joint sponsor.
• Get the green card style photos as soon as possible; they are valid for one year as well.
• Get all documents, such as birth certificates, previous divorce decrees, etc. together, even before the marriage.
• File the petition as soon as possible after the wedding. Remember, the entire process may take anywhere from one to six months after the petition is approved.

E-mail: consularlapaz@state.gov