How to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the USCIS form a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files to establish a qualifying family relationship with a relative who wants to immigrate. This page describes the general process — the form, the fee, the filing channels, and the steps that follow — with every factual claim cited to a primary source. It describes the process in general terms only; it is not advice about any individual case.
What Form I-130 is
Form I-130 is the family petition: it asks USCIS to recognize a qualifying relationship between a petitioner in the United States and a relative who intends to immigrate. Approval of the petition establishes the relationship — it does not by itself grant any immigration status. The relative's own application comes later, through adjustment of status or consular processing.
Who may file, and for whom
U.S. citizens may generally file for a spouse, children, parents (if the citizen is 21 or older), and siblings (if 21 or older). Lawful permanent residents may generally file for a spouse and unmarried children. The I-130 instructions list the exact categories and the evidence each requires.
Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens are “immediate relatives” — a visa is always available for these categories. The other family categories are numerically limited “preference” categories, with waiting times published monthly in the Department of State's Visa Bulletin.
The filing fee
Under the current USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055), the I-130 filing fee is $675 for a paper filing or $625 for an online filing. USCIS fees change periodically — before filing, verify current amounts on the official USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) at uscis.gov/g-1055.
Filing online or by mail
Form I-130 can be filed online through a USCIS online account, or on paper by mail to the address in the USCIS direct filing address chart for the form. The chart on USCIS.gov is the current reference — the correct address depends on where the petitioner lives and whether other forms are filed at the same time.
The supporting evidence
The petition is filed with evidence of the petitioner's own status (citizenship or permanent residence) and of the qualifying relationship — for example, a marriage certificate for a spouse petition, or birth certificates for parent and child relationships. Any document in a foreign language must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator certifies as complete and accurate.
What happens after filing
After the petition is received, USCIS issues Form I-797C, Notice of Action, as the receipt. Case status can be checked online using the receipt number. Processing times vary by category and service center; USCIS publishes current estimates in its processing-times tool, and this page does not claim any specific timeframe.
What comes after approval
For a relative already in the United States who is eligible, the next step can be Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status — in some categories filed after the I-130, in others together with it. For a relative abroad, the approved petition moves to the Department of State for consular processing. For preference categories, both paths also wait on visa availability under the Visa Bulletin.
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How much does Form I-130 cost?
Under the current G-1055 fee schedule, $675 on paper or $625 online. Fees change — verify current amounts at uscis.gov/g-1055.
Can Form I-130 be filed online?
Yes — through a USCIS online account. Paper filing goes to the address in the USCIS direct filing address chart for the form.
Does an approved I-130 give the relative a green card?
No. Approval establishes the qualifying relationship. The relative then applies through adjustment of status (Form I-485) or consular processing, and preference categories also wait for visa availability under the Visa Bulletin.
Which relatives count as immediate relatives?
Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. A visa is always available in these categories; other family categories are numerically limited.
What happens after Form I-130 is approved?
For a relative in the U.S. who is eligible, adjustment of status; for a relative abroad, consular processing through the Department of State. The I-797C receipt number tracks the case.