# How to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) > What Form I-130 is, who may file for which relatives, the current filing fee, and what happens after filing — every fact cited to a primary source. Canonical: https://www.popimmigration.com/guides/how-to-file-i-130 Publisher: Pop Immigration (https://www.popimmigration.com) Last reviewed: 2026-07-19 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. ## Frequently asked questions ### 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. ## Sources - USCIS — I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: https://www.uscis.gov/i-130 - USCIS — I-130 page (eligible relationships): https://www.uscis.gov/i-130 - USCIS — I-130 page; U.S. Dept. of State — Visa Bulletin: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html - U.S. Dept. of State — Visa Bulletin: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html - USCIS — Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-130: https://www.uscis.gov/i-130-addresses - USCIS — I-130 page (initial evidence): https://www.uscis.gov/i-130 - 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/section-103.2 - USCIS — Form I-797C, Notice of Action: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/form-i-797c-notice-of-action - USCIS — Processing Times; Case Status Online: https://egov.uscis.gov/processingtimes/ - USCIS — I-485; U.S. Dept. of State — Immigrant Visa Process: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485 --- Pop Immigration is an educational and organizational tool, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. 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