Requirements For U.S. Visa Application – CR1/Spousal Visa

Obtaining a U.S. Visa can be a long and difficult process. Fortunately, with proper preparation and careful work, your US visa can be processed efficiently and you will be able to visit the United States in no time. Different U.S. visas have different requirements. Below you will find the Military spouse CR1/Spousal visa requirements for the United States prior to the start of the US visa application program.

There are two (2) parts of the Immigrant Visa process. Part 1 is completing the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and Part 2 is the submission of the immigrant visa application by the beneficiary of the petition.

STEP 1: Preparing I-130 petition

In Part 1, I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, you will need to gather the following documents:

Petitioner (US Military Soldier)

1. I-130 Application Form (Petition for Alien Relative)
2. Proof of Active Duty Status (US Military Orders)
3. Proof of US Citizenship (Birth Certificate, Passport, or Naturalization Certificate)

Beneficiary (Eligible Relative/Spouse)

1. I-130A Application Form, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
2. Beneficiary’s Passport with a SOFA stamp
3. Birth Certificate in English Translation (for Philippines passport holder bring PSA Birth Certificate and Local Civil Registration Birth Certificate)

For Both Petitioner And Beneficiary

1. Photo ID (US Military ID or US Military Family Member ID)
2. Photographs (5cm x 5cm with white background, taken within 30 days)
3. Petition fee $535 (as of June 2019, please be prepared to pay cash)
4. Marriage Certificate (current marriage) and English translation; if you married in Japan bring your Japanese marriage certificate too
5. Divorce Decree or Death Certificate if previously married
6. Proof of bona fide marriage (a sample of an affidavit sworn to or affirmed by a 3rd party having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship, pictures together, etc)
7. Form G-1145 for e-notification of application/petition acceptance.

Be sure to take photocopies of all photo IDs and documents.

Once you collect all the documents or packet, please make an appointment with the Legal Assistance office inside the military base to have the immigrant visa packet reviewed. If everything is complete and approved by the legal assistance officer, you can now set an appointment at US Consulate General to submit your I-130 Petition for Alien Relative.

STEP 2: Preparing for Beneficiary Immigrant Visa Application

The next step after your I-130 petition is approved is for the petitioner and dependent (the applicant) to prepare all of the necessary documents and apply for a dependent’s immigrant visa. You need to gather the following documents:

Beneficiary (Eligible Relative/Spouse)

1. DS-260 Online Immigrant Visa Application
2. Beneficiary’s Passport with a SOFA stamp
3. Birth Certificate in English Translation (for Philippines passport holder bring PSA Birth Certificate and Local Civil Registration Birth Certificate)
4. Medical Examination from the doctor of designated facilities (if you are based in Naha, you need to go to Adventist Medical Hospital)
5. Police Certificate Record where you are currently residing (in my case since I am currently residing in Japan, I applied for a Japanese Police Certificate)
6. NBI Clearance (if you are from Philippines)
7. 2 Photographs (5cm x 5cm with white background, taken within 30 days)
8. U.S. Mailing Address and Telephone Number
9. Self-Addressed, Pre-Paid Envelope

Petitioner (US Military Soldier)

1. Affidavit of Support – Form I-864
2. Recent Federal Tax Return 1040 and W2

For Both Petitioner And Beneficiary

1. Marriage Certificate (current marriage) and English translation; if you married in Japan bring your Japanese marriage certificate too
2. Proof of bona fide marriage (a sample of affidavit sworn to or affirmed by a 3rd party having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship, pictures together, etc)
3. Processing Fee – $535 (be prepared to pay with cash)

After you gathered all the documents including medical examination and police clearance, set an appointment to US Consulate for final VISA Interview of the beneficiary or the spouse.

Military spouses are eligible for an expedited US Visa processing where a visa is issued within 2-3 months at the earliest time only if everything goes smoothly with your medical examination and police clearance.

Military members should prepare paperwork for Part 1 one year prior to PCS.