Quick Answer: What Is Form I-130?
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is used by an eligible U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to ask USCIS to recognize a qualifying family relationship for immigration purposes.
The person filing the petition is the petitioner, and the qualifying relative is the beneficiary.
Approval of Form I-130 does not by itself give the beneficiary a Green Card or permanent resident status.
The beneficiary generally must continue through Adjustment of Status in the United States, if eligible, or through immigrant visa processing outside the United States.
The next step depends on the beneficiary’s immigration category, visa availability, location, and eligibility.
Need Help Getting Started With Form I-130?
ImmigrationDirect can help you check Form I-130 eligibility based on your answers and begin preparing the petition with guided questions.
Who Can File Form I-130 and for Whom?
Form I-130 can generally be filed by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) for certain qualifying family members. The relatives they may petition for are not the same.
| Petitioner | Generally may file for |
|---|---|
| U.S. citizen | Spouse, children, sons or daughters, parents, and siblings, depending on the relationship and category |
| Lawful permanent resident | Spouse and unmarried children or sons and daughters |
For relationship-specific filing guidance, see Form I-130 for a spouse or Form I-130 for parents.
Certain non-citizen U.S. nationals may also file Form I-130 under rules similar to those for lawful permanent residents.
U.S. citizens generally have more family-based petition categories than lawful permanent residents. For example, only a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 may petition for a parent or sibling.
If you are filing for a child, see our Form I-130 for a Child guide for child-specific eligibility, relationship evidence, required documents, and filing steps.
Not every family relationship qualifies for Form I-130. For complete relationship and special eligibility rules, see the Form I-130 eligibility guide.
Immediate Relatives vs. Family Preference Categories
Form I-130 beneficiaries generally fall into one of two groups: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or family preference relatives.
The category matters because it affects whether an immigrant visa is immediately available or whether the beneficiary may need to wait before taking the next Green Card step.
Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens
Immediate relatives include a U.S. citizen’s:
- spouse;
- unmarried child under age 21; and
- parent, if the U.S. citizen petitioner is at least 21.
Immigrant visas are generally immediately available for these categories because they are not subject to the annual numerical limits that apply to family preference categories.
Family Preference Categories
Other qualifying relatives fall into family preference categories. These categories are subject to annual numerical limits, so visa availability can vary.
Family preference categories include certain unmarried adult and married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents, and siblings of qualifying U.S. citizens.
For preference beneficiaries, visa availability can affect when they may move forward after the I-130 stage.
Basic I-130 Eligibility and Special Situations
Form I-130 generally requires an eligible petitioner, a qualifying family relationship, and enough evidence to establish that relationship.
Additional rules can apply to stepchildren, adopted children, prior marriages, certain marriage-based cases, and other situations involving complex relationship or immigration histories.
For the complete eligibility rules and special situations, see our Form I-130 Eligibility guide.
What Information Is Required on Form I-130?
Form I-130 asks for information about both the petitioner and beneficiary, including names, addresses, birth information, immigration details, the family relationship, previous petitions, and the beneficiary’s intended immigration path.
Information should be accurate and consistent with the supporting records submitted with the petition.
For guidance on completing Parts 1–9, including N/A vs. None, A-Numbers, Item 61/62, signatures, and Part 9, see our Form I-130 Instructions.
What Documents Are Required With Form I-130?
Supporting documents generally establish the petitioner’s U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, the qualifying family relationship, and other facts relevant to the case.
Requirements differ for a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, and foreign-language records require appropriate English translations.
For the relationship-specific evidence requirements, see our Form I-130 Required Documents guide.
Form I-130A for Spouse Petitions
If Form I-130 is being filed for a spouse, the beneficiary spouse generally must also complete Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.
Form I-130A collects additional information about the spouse beneficiary and is submitted with the Form I-130 petition.
If the beneficiary spouse lives outside the United States, Form I-130A is still required, but USCIS states that the overseas spouse does not need to sign it.
Form I-130A applies specifically to spouse petitions. For broader filing requirements and spouse-specific guidance, see the Form I-130 for a spouse guide.
How to File Form I-130
Form I-130 can generally be filed through a USCIS online account or by mail, depending on the filing circumstances.
Online filers complete the petition electronically and upload supporting evidence. Paper filers must use the current form edition, sign the petition, include the required documents and payment, and mail it to the correct USCIS filing location.
Filing method does not change the underlying eligibility or evidence requirements.
For a part-by-part completion guide, see Form I-130 Instructions.
Where to File Form I-130
Paper filing addresses can vary based on the filing circumstances and USCIS may change them. Always verify the current USCIS Form I-130 filing address immediately before mailing.
If you may qualify to submit Form I-130 with Form I-485, see our I-130 and I-485 Concurrent Filing guide.
How Much Does Form I-130 Cost?
USCIS charges a filing fee for Form I-130. The amount may differ depending on the filing method under current USCIS rules, and payment requirements can change.
Before submitting the petition, verify the current government fee and accepted payment method directly with USCIS.
For the latest fee amount, payment options, and related updates, see the Form I-130 filing fee guide.
What Happens After You File Form I-130?
After USCIS accepts Form I-130, it generally issues a receipt notice confirming that the petition was received. USCIS then reviews the petition and supporting evidence and may request additional information if something is missing or needs clarification.
Once the review is complete, USCIS issues a decision on the petition.
If Form I-130 is approved, the beneficiary’s next step depends on the immigration category, whether an immigrant visa is available, and whether the beneficiary will continue the Green Card process from inside or outside the United States.
For the complete post-filing sequence, see What Happens After Filing Form I-130?
Does an Approved Form I-130 Expire?
An approved Form I-130 does not have a standard expiration date simply because time passes. However, the petition must remain valid.
Certain events or changes in circumstances can affect the approval or whether the beneficiary can continue the immigration process.
Preparing to File Form I-130?
ImmigrationDirect can guide you through Form I-130, help organize petitioner and beneficiary information, review your responses for missing or inconsistent details, and provide filing instructions before submission.
ImmigrationDirect is not USCIS. USCIS determines eligibility and makes the final decision on every petition.
