Form I-130
Petition for Alien Relative
The petition a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files to establish a qualifying family relationship with a relative who wants to immigrate.
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What is Form I-130?
Form I-130 is the first step in family-based immigration. The petitioner (a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder) files it to prove a bona fide relationship — spouse, parent, child, or sibling — with the beneficiary. Approval of the I-130 does not by itself give the relative any status or the right to come to the U.S.; it just establishes the relationship and a place in line.
What happens next depends on the category. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents) have visas available immediately. Other categories ('preference' relatives) wait for a visa number to become current under the monthly Visa Bulletin, which can take years. The beneficiary then either adjusts status in the U.S. (Form I-485) or goes through consular processing abroad.
- Who needs it
- U.S. citizens petitioning for a spouse, parent, child, or sibling; and lawful permanent residents petitioning for a spouse or unmarried child. A separate I-130 is required for each eligible relative.
- Deadline
- No deadline to file. But priority-date order is set by the filing date, so filing sooner secures an earlier place in line for preference categories.
- How to submit
- File online with a USCIS account, or mail the paper petition with the filing fee and supporting evidence (proof of status, proof of the relationship such as marriage and birth certificates) to the address on the USCIS I-130 page for your situation.
Form I-130 — line-by-line
Parts 1–2 — Relationship and petitioner
The family relationship you're petitioning for, and your own name, address, date of birth, and immigration status (citizen or permanent resident) with evidence.
Part 3 — Biographic information
Your ethnicity, race, height, weight, eye and hair color.
Part 4 — Information about the beneficiary
The relative's name, date and place of birth, address, A-Number if any, and their immigration history and any prior removal proceedings.
Part 5 — Other relatives / prior petitions
Whether you've filed petitions for other relatives and whether anyone else has petitioned for this beneficiary.
Parts 6–9 — Petitioner's statement and signature
Your certification, signature and contact details, plus interpreter and preparer information if used.
Form I-130 — frequently asked questions
Does an approved I-130 let my relative enter the U.S.?+
No. It only establishes the relationship. The relative still needs an immigrant visa or adjustment of status, and for preference categories must wait until a visa number is available.
How long does it take?+
USCIS processing of the petition itself commonly runs many months to a couple of years, and for sibling and adult-child categories the subsequent visa wait can be a decade or more depending on country.
Can I file one I-130 for my whole family?+
No. You file a separate I-130 for each qualifying relative. Some of their children and spouses may be able to follow to join as derivatives without their own I-130.
What if the petitioner dies before the process finishes?+
There are provisions (including humanitarian reinstatement and Section 204(l)) that can allow a petition to continue in some circumstances — this is complex and worth legal advice.
Related forms
The blank Form I-130 offered here is the version published by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Official page and instructions .
PDFCure is not a government agency and does not provide tax, legal, or immigration advice. This page is general information — for your specific situation, follow the official instructions or consult a qualified professional. Always download the current edition from the agency before filing. Revision referenced: see the edition date on the USCIS page before filing.