U.S. Citizens: Can file for their spouse, unmarried children under 21, unmarried children 21 or older, married children of any age, siblings (if the petitioner is 21 or older), and parents (if the petitioner is 21 or older).
Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders): Can file for their spouse, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children 21 or older.
I-130 for Spouses: An I-130 Petition for Family Immigration filed by a U.S. citizen or green card holder to establish the marital relationship and sponsor their foreign spouse for a green card.
I-130 for Parents: An I-130 Petition for Family Immigration filed by a U.S. citizen to establish the parent-child relationship and sponsor their foreign-born parent for a green card.
Proof of petitioner’s U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status (e.g., passport, birth certificate, Green Card).
Proof of the family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption records).
Affidavits, photos, or other evidence to prove the legitimacy of the relationship (especially in marriage cases).
Check our blog for more information about I-130 Petition.
Form I-130 Submission: The petitioner submits Form I-130, along with supporting documents and the filing fee, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Processing Time: Processing times can vary widely depending on the relationship type and the USCIS service center handling the case.
Receipt Notice: Upon submission, the petitioner receives a receipt notice from USCIS, confirming that the petition has been received.
Approval or Request for Evidence (RFE): USCIS reviews the petition. If additional information is needed, an RFE may be issued. If the petition is approved, USCIS forwards it to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing (if the beneficiary is outside the U.S.).
