Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
The foundational petition filed by a U.S. citizen or green card holder to prove a qualifying family relationship for immigration.
Table of Contents
Who Needs Form I-130?
You must file the **I-130 petition** if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) who wants to sponsor a family member to immigrate to the United States. This **family green card form** is the first step in helping your spouse, child, parent, or sibling get their U.S. residency.
Filing this **petition for alien relative** establishes that you have a real, legally recognized relationship with the person you are sponsoring, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
When Do You File Form I-130?
You file the I-130 form as soon as you want to start the green card sponsorship process.
For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (like spouses or unmarried children under 21), you can file it at the same time the applicant files Form I-485 to adjust status, if they are already inside the U.S. For preference categories (like siblings or adult children), you must file it early to secure your priority date.
Where Do You File Form I-130?
You can submit Form I-130 online by creating a USCIS account, which is the fastest and easiest method.
If you prefer to mail a paper application, you must mail the physical package to the USCIS lockbox that matches the sponsor's state of residence.
Filing Fees & Processing Times
Filing Fee: Sponsoring relatives must pay a base fee that differs for paper and online filings. Check uscis.gov/forms for current fee rates.
Processing Time: Processing ranges from 5 months to over a year, depending on your relationship category and the service center handling your file. Sibling or adult children petitions can take longer to process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Insufficient Relationship Proof: You must provide strong evidence that your relationship is real. For marriages, submit joint bank statements, rental leases, and photos.
- Missing Form I-130A: If you are sponsoring your husband or wife, you must also submit Form I-130A (Supplemental Information), which provides extra details about the spouse.
- Translating Documents Incorrectly: Any foreign documents (like birth certificates) must include a certified English translation signed by the translator.
What Happens After You File?
USCIS will issue a receipt notice (Form I-797C). The receipt date becomes your official priority date, which is your place in the green card wait line.
Once approved, if your relative is outside the U.S., USCIS will send the approved case to the National Visa Center (NVC) to start consular processing. If your relative is inside the U.S. and their priority date is current, they can file Form I-485.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Form I-130 grant my relative legal status in the U.S.?
No. An approved Form I-130 does not give your relative permission to live or work in the United States. It only establishes the family relationship. They must still wait for their priority date and file for status adjustment or an immigrant visa.
What is a priority date on a family petition?
It is the date USCIS officially receives your I-130. You compare this date to the monthly Visa Bulletin to see when a green card number becomes available for your family category.
Can a permanent resident sponsor a sibling on Form I-130?
No. Only U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old can petition for their brothers and sisters. Green card holders cannot sponsor siblings.
Official Resources
OFFICIAL PAGE →Check Your Priority Date
Did you file an I-130 family petition? Check the current monthly cut-off queues using our calculator.
USE CALCULATOR →