Form I-130, officially titled Petition for Alien Relative, is used to establish a qualifying family relationship between a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and a noncitizen relative who wishes to immigrate to the United States.

What Does It Do?

Filing Form I-130 is the first step in helping a relative immigrate to the U.S. and get a green card. It tells USCIS that you have a qualifying family relationship and want to sponsor your relative.

Who Can You Sponsor?

As a U.S. citizen, you can file for:

  • Spouse
  • Children (any age, married or unmarried)
  • Parents (if you’re over 21)
  • Siblings (if you’re over 21)

As a lawful permanent resident, you can file for:

  • Spouse
  • Unmarried children

Key Information

  • Filing fee is typically $535.
  • Approval of Form I-130 does not guarantee a green card; it simply establishes the relationship.
  • After approval, your relative may begin the visa or adjustment of status process.

Additional Resources

This page is for informational purposes only and does not offer legal advice.

— views

Updated: