I-130 - Have I ever been in the states

[Laura_S 2]

Just to clarify,
The question on the i-130 form is

Has your relative ( me) ever been in the U.S.?

Is it asking have I ever had another visa?
Because I have been in the U.S many times. I live close to the boarder, my husband lives in the U.S.

Then It also asks when I arrived and departed. Is it asking the last time or every time?( that I will never remember)
I'm assuming it means if I've had a visitor visa ect. but I'm just asking for clarification.

Thanks

[JohnR! 5,495]

The question is not about a visa, necessarily. You need to disclose if you have ever been to the US, which in your case is 'yes' and list your entries/departures. In your case, enter your visits to the US for the last year or so to the best of your memory and add a separate note explaining all other entries, the dates of which it would be impossible for you to remember.

You don't need to be 100% specific and precise so long as you add a statement to that effect. You will be ok.

Good luck!

[Kyle&Sara 0]

Good question. I was kind of wondering the same thing. I was under the assumption that it was in reference to previous visa stays (work, school, etc...) as opposed to just visits via passport. My wife is in Canada and has visited me a number of times. Even if that's not what they mean and it is specific to a previous visa, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to include those anyway..?

[Ahren & Edna 4]

Hey,

Hegel is probably right. But again you also need yo check on your passport for the date stamps on your exit and arrivals. It will probably help you give accurate or close to accurate dates.

All the best!!

[Kyle&Sara 0]

Hey 'Laura_S,'

'Ahren & Edna' mentioned passport stamps and seeing that you're from Canada, I'm curious, do you have stamps from all of your visits? My wife and I were on the phone the other night talking about all of this and she noticed she hasn't been stamped once for any of her visits to the states. Have you noticed this as well? I have all but one stamp on mine from my Canadian visits. Not that it makes any difference, but all of our customs interviews have been at Calgary International...

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hey,

Hegel is probably right. But again you also need yo check on your passport for the date stamps on your exit and arrivals. It will probably help you give accurate or close to accurate dates.

All the best!!

Right on. You need not be 100% accurate, so long as you're honest.

[Krikit 1,164]

Hi guys. This is a Canada-specific response: All you have to do is enter "Canadian: Multiple visits but none lasting longer than x number of weeks."

The intent of this question is to look for overstays. And because Canadians do not require arrival/departure records (I-94) there aren't, necessarily, any passport stamps. USCIS is quite familiar with the uniqueness of the Canadian visitor.

You may want to take a look in the Canada regional forum for further such information.

[NikLR 13,227]

#13. I simply answered yes. It never asks to expand upon that question just a yes or no.

#14 asks if your relative is currently in the USA how they arrived and when.

[fridaynitewine 5]

KCCO is correct. The question is "has your relative ever been in the US?" There is a check box for yes or no. Check yes and leave it at that. Question 14 is for people living in the US.

Read the questions carefully and don't give them more than they want it will just make the process harder.