Immigrant Visas
HOW TO FILE AN I-130 PETITION IN COPENHAGEN FOR YOUR SPOUSE (HUSBAND OR WIFE), MINOR CHILD, OR PARENT
STEP ONE
The first step is for the U.S. citizen petitioner to forward the following documents to:
American Embassy
Attn: Immigrant Visa Unit
Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24
2100 København Ø
- A photocopy of the biographical page (photo page) from your valid U.S. passport.
- A photocopy of your Danish residence permit ("OPHOLDSTILLADELSE").
- A transcript ("BOPÆLSATTEST") from the Danish "Folkeregister" listing dates and places of residence in Denmark.
- Write the following on a piece of paper: Your full name, your complete Danish address (incl. zip code), your home phone number, your work phone number, your mobile phone number, and your e-mail address. Also please state how many persons you wish to file petitions for so that we may take this into consideration when scheduling your appointment.
When forwarding the above listed documentation, please do not send anything else to the Immigrant Visa Unit at the same time.
Once we have determined your eligibility to file Form I-130 directly at this Embassy, we will forward an appointment letter by e-mail. You must print the letter and present it to the guards upon arrival at the Embassy. Without your appointment letter you will not be able to gain entry.
STEP TWO
The U.S. citizen petitioner must appear in person on the day of petitioning. The alien beneficiary is welcome to accompany the petitioner for his/her appointment at the Embassy. However, it is not a requirement that the alien beneficiary is present.
At the time of your appointment, you must present the following documentation:
WHEN FILING FOR A SPOUSE:
- A completed Form I-130, petition for Alien Relative. You can download the form from www.uscis.gov (see "Immigration Forms").
PLEASE NOTE: The names you list on your petition (Form I-130) must be identical to the names in both your passports. If the names on Form I-130 are not identical to the names in your passports then you must take action to have one or the other document amended before you may file your I-130 petition. - A photocopy of the biographical page (photo page) from the beneficiary's valid foreign passport. If possible, please bring the original passport as well.
- Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship. Preferably, a photocopy of the biographical page from your valid U.S. passport. However, you may also provide your U.S. birth certificate, or naturalization certificate. You must bring the original document and one photocopy.
- Marriage certificate (original and one photocopy).
- Divorce decree(s)/death certificate(s) for all of petitioner's (your) previous marriages - if applicable (original and one photocopy).
- Divorce decree(s)/death certificate(s) for all of beneficiary's previous marriages - if applicable (original and one photocopy).
- Form G-325A, Biographic Information for petitioner (complete only page 1, discard all other similar pages). Remember to staple a passport size photo (with your name written on the back of the photo) in the bottom right hand corner of the form. You can download the form from www.uscis.gov (see "Immigration Forms"). If you are filing more than one petition, you will need to download 1 copy per petition to be filed (each copy of page 1 must contain original signature and an attached passport size photo).
- Form G-325A, Biographic Information for beneficiary (complete only page 1, discard all other similar pages). Remember to staple a passport size photo (with the beneficiary's name written on the back of the photo) in the bottom right hand corner of the form.
- All documents that are not in their original form written in either English or Danish must be accompanied by a certified translation into English (not into Danish). In other words, original Danish documents do not need to be translated. However, original German/Farsi/etc. documents must be translated into English. All translations must be done by a person who has been authorized (by authorities in the country in which he/she works) to act as a certified translator from one specific language to another.
The fee for each I-130 petition you file is US$ 355.00. Payment is accepted in cash, Danish check (drawn on a Danish bank), or credit card. Our current exchange rate can be verified on our website: http://denmark.usembassy.gov
WHEN FILING FOR A STEPCHILD : Bring all of the above listed documentation and the child's birth certificate (original and one photocopy).
WHEN FILING FOR A BIOLOGICAL CHILD : Bring the above listed documentation except for marriage and divorce decrees. Also bring the child's birth certificate (original and one photocopy). PLEASE NOTE: You may only file an immigrant visa petition for your child if you are unable to transmit U.S. citizenship to your child. For further information on citizenship issues, please contact CopenhagenACS@state.gov
WHEN FILING FOR A PARENT : Bring the above listed documentation except for marriage and divorce decrees. Also bring your birth certificate (original and one photocopy).
PLEASE NOTE: You will not be able to file a petition if you do not have all the required documents in your possession at the time of your appointment. You may not submit a semi complete petition and mail the rest of the documents at a later time. Photocopies in lieu of misplaced or lost original documents will not be accepted.
The Consular officer will initially accept the petition but cannot approve it until the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has performed the criminal background check on the American citizen petitioner, as required by the Adam Walsh Act. Detailed immigrant visa application instructions will be sent to the beneficiary once the petition has been approved.
PROCESSING TIME : Apply early! Processing is completed on a "first come, first served" basis. Expect the immigrant visa application process to take up to six months or more to complete. After issuance, an immigrant visa is valid for a maximum of six months. The beneficiary must enter the U.S. as an immigrant within the validity of the visa.
THE AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT
The U.S. citizen petitioner must prepare an "Affidavit of Support" (AOS). The AOS is required to be presented (with all supporting documents) by the beneficiary at the time of his/her immigrant visa interview. However, we will pre-screen the AOS and inform you of any shortcomings if you bring the completed Affidavit of Support (AOS) with you for your appointment to file your I-130 petition. Do not under any circumstances mail the AOS to the Embassy prior to the beneficiary's immigrant visa interview.
All Affidavit of Support related forms can be downloaded from the following two websites:
www.travel.state.gov (see "Immigrants to the U.S.")
www.uscis.gov (type the form number in the "search field" and find the appropriate PDF file). We prefer that you complete the form(s) online.
You must read the instructions carefully in order to determine which form(s) apply to your particular case.
Form I-864W: Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption - NEW
Form I-864EZ: Affidavit of Support – NEW
Form I-864: Affidavit of Support
Form I-864A: Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
Form I-864P: Poverty Guidelines
Form I-865: (Keep a copy of this form for later use in the U.S)
GETTING STARTED: We suggest that you start this way -
1 - Review the I-864W instructions and learn whether the exemption form should be used; if no,
2 - Review the I-864EZ instructions to find out if the Affidavit of Support short form applies; if no,
3 - If the above don’t apply, you probably will need to prepare the I-864, and possibly the I-864A.
IMPORTANT: Please pay particular attention to instructions regarding "DOMICILE" and the required documentation thereof.