What is I-130 Form, Petition for Alien Relative Guide?
The I-130 Form, Petition for Alien Relative, is a form used by United States citizens or permanent residents (green card holders) to petition the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to establish the qualifying relationship with a foreign national relative who wishes to immigrate to the United States.
Eligibility: You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident to file an I-130 petition for a relative. The eligible relatives who can be sponsored include spouses, children, parents, and siblings (if the petitioner is a U.S. citizen).
Supporting Documentation: Along with the completed form, you will need to include evidence to establish the family relationship, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and any other relevant documents. If the documents are in a foreign language, you must provide certified translations.
How to Fill Out Form I-130?
Filling out Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is a critical step in sponsoring a foreign family member for immigration to the United States.
Step 1: Obtain the Form
You can download Form I-130 from the USCIS website.
Step 2: Complete the Form
- Part 1 – Information About You (Petitioner): Provide your personal information, including your full name, address, date of birth, and contact information. If you are a U.S. citizen, provide your USCIS Online Account Number (if applicable). If you are a lawful permanent resident, provide your Alien Registration Number (A-number).
- Part 2 – Information About Your Relative (Beneficiary): Provide the beneficiary’s personal information, including their full name, address, date of birth, and relationship to you (the petitioner).
- Part 3 – Additional Information About You (Petitioner): Answer questions related to your citizenship status, prior marriages, and previous filings for the same beneficiary or other family members.
- Part 4 – Information About Your Foreign (Non-U.S.) Addresses: Provide details of any foreign addresses you (the petitioner) have lived at in the last five years, if applicable.
Form I-130 is Approved – What to Do Next?
Once your Form I-130 is approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the next steps will depend on your specific situation and the immigrant visa category you applied for:
- If your relative is already in the United States and is eligible to adjust their status to a permanent resident (green card holder), you may proceed with the following steps:
- File Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, for your relative. This form should be submitted to USCIS along with the appropriate filing fee and supporting documentation.
- If Your Relative Is Outside the United States (Consular Processing):
- If your relative is residing abroad, they will need to go through consular processing to obtain an immigrant visa. The process includes the following steps:
- USCIS will send the approved I-130 petition to the National Visa Center (NVC).
- NVC will notify you and your relative about the visa processing fees and required documentation.