If you're a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and you want to bring your family member to the United States, chances are you're looking at Form I-130 — the Petition for Alien Relative. It's the very first step in helping a family member immigrate to the U.S., and while the form itself isn't overly complicated, the documents you need to submit with it are crucial.

Form I-130A (Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary) may look like a simple biographic sheet, but it is one of the most important documents in the entire marriage-based green card process. A single mistake in I-130A can lead to delays, RFEs, background checks, and even suspicion of inconsistencies in your case. This guide explains: Who must submit form I-130A How to complete I-130A correctly Hidden pitfalls that trigger RFEs Which supporting evidence strengthens you