A Guide to Filing Form I-130 in 2026
- Form I-130 is the first step for immigrants who want to apply for a Green Card through a qualifying family member.
- A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or current Green Card holder must file the Form I-130 petition—not the immigrant family member.
- I-130 processing can take years and cannot be expedited, so submit a complete, well-documented petition to avoid delays.
The process of applying for a Green Card through a family member starts with Form I-130. A current U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must submit the form to petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the family member who is seeking a Green Card. Multiple documents are necessary along with the I-130 to prove that the petitioner and the family member are both eligible. After getting an approved Form I-130, the immigrant family member can apply for a Green Card, assuming a visa is available for them.
| 🧑⚖️Clear guidance, without the legal jargon. This article is informed and reviewed by Manifest Law’s experienced immigration attorneys—and written to make the law make sense. Because you deserve to understand the system, not fight it. Check out our editorial policy for more info. |
What is Form I-130?
Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative, allows you to sponsor a family member to immigrate to the U.S. so that they can apply for permanent residence status. Form I-130 is not a Green application; it is only the first step in the Green Card process, which includes a formal application after getting an approved I-130.
Who can use Form I-130
Form I-130 allows a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident to petition for an eligible family member—spouse, child, parent, brother, or sister—to begin the process of applying for their own Green Card.
This includes the below family-based immigrant visa categories:
- IR-1 / CR-1 – Spouse of a U.S. citizen
- IR-2 / CR-2 – Unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen
- IR-5 – Parent of a U.S. citizen (petitioner must be 21+)
- F1 – Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens.
- F2A – Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents
- F2B – Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of lawful permanent residents
- F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (plus their spouses and minor children as derivatives)
- F4 – Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be 21+; spouses and minor children can come as derivatives)
Who cannot use Form I-130
The I-130 form is only for people who are filing for family-based Green Cards. All work-based immigrant visas, like the EB-1 or EB-2, use a different form (I-140).
Only certain family members are eligible for sponsorship. U.S. citizens can sponsor a spouse, child under 21, unmarried adult child over 21, parent, brother, or sister. Lawful permanent residents can only sponsor a spouse, child under 21, or unmarried child over 21.
Immigrants also cannot file Form I-130 for themselves. A family member must file it on their behalf. If you want to self-petition for permanent residence, consider a different path, like an EB-1A visa. The U.S. citizen and legal permanent resident will be the petitioner or owner of the petition. The immigrant relative will be the beneficiary.
Documents you need to file Form I-130
You need to submit various documents along with your Form I-130. In general, USCIS needs documentation that proves:
- You are eligible to sponsor a family member.
- The person you’re sponsoring is legitimately your family member or spouse.
- The person you’re sponsoring is who you say they are.
- You are able to provide financial support to the beneficiary.
The following sections cover the basic forms and documentary evidence you need to submit in addition to Form I-130. However, it’s possible USCIS will request additional documents by sending you a Request for evidence (RFE).
Evidence of your residence or citizenship status
In order to petition for your family member, USCIS will need documents proving you have U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence status (Green Card), or U.S. national status.
If you’re a U.S. citizen, evidence could include:
- A copy of your birth certificate, clearly showing you were born in the United States
- A copy of your citizenship certificate (issued by USCIS or INS after you file Form N-600) or your naturalization certificate
- A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport
- An original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport
If you’re a Green Card holder, evidence could include:
- A copy of the front and back of your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card, Form I-551)
- A copy of Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate
- If you haven’t received your Green Card: copies of your passport biographic page and page showing admission to the U.S. as a legal permanent resident
Evidence of your family relationship
USCIS will look for at least one of the following to prove that the person you’re petitioning for is indeed your family member:
- For your spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate and documentary evidence that any prior marriages were legally terminated
- For your child, a copy of your child’s birth certificate
- For your parent, a copy of your birth certificate
- For your brother or sister, a copy of your birth certificate and your sibling’s birth certificate
Evidence of a bona fide marriage, if applicable
If you’re sponsoring your spouse, USCIS requires evidence that you two have a bona fide marriage, meaning you two didn’t get married just for a Green Card. Possible evidence includes:
- Documents showing you live together, such as a lease or rental agreement
- Documents showing you own property together (joint ownership)
- Documents showing that you and your spouse have combined your finances (joint bank accounts, credit cards, insurance accounts, etc.)
- Birth certificates for any children born to you and your spouse
- Affidavits from other people who can attest to the legitimacy of your marriage
The list above is not exhaustive. Regardless of what you submit, USCIS will most likely need to interview you and/or your spouse as part of the application review process.
If you need help proving you have a bona fide marriage, an experienced immigration attorney can review your relationship and help you gather documentation.
Request a consultation with Manifest today.
Evidence needed for an adopted child
If you’re petitioning for an adopted child, you will need to submit the following:
- Documents showing the adoption took place before the child turned 16
- Documents showing you’ve had legal custody of the child for at least two years
- Documents showing you’ve lived with the child for at least two years
What is the I-130 approval rate?
The overall approval rate for I-130 was 88.6% for Fiscal Year 2025, according to data from USCIS. That’s an increase from FY 2024, when the approval rate was 87.2%. The FY 2025 approval rate for “other relative,” or family preference, I-130s was about 59%, which means roughly 4 in 10 decided cases were denied. That’s a number that surprises many families, and it’s lower than the 93% rate for immediate relatives.
How to file Form I-130
The quickest way to file Form I-130 is online. Create or sign in to your myUSCIS account. You can fill out the main form, submit all supporting documents, and submit your payment online.
After you submit the form, USCIS will send you a receipt. Your relative will need a copy of that receipt when they file the Green Card application.
If you would prefer to mail a physical form and documents, that’s also an option. It’s important to mail your packet to the correct address, which differs depending on where you live and could change over time. Check the latest Form I-130 mailing addresses.
Processing time for Form I-130
Form I-130 can take years for USCIS to process, with especially long waits for the applications to sponsor the siblings or married children of U.S. citizens. Permanent residents who file Form I-130 also face longer average wait times than citizens. Learn more about Form I-130 processing times.
Cost to file Form I-130
In 2026, the Form I-130 filing fee is $625 if you file online or $675 if you file a paper form.
Form I-130 payment options include:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Prepaid card
- ACH transfer (direct bank transfer from a U.S. bank account)
USCIS doesn’t accept personal checks, business checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks unless you qualify for a specific exemption.
👉 The filing fees listed here are accurate as of December 2025 and may change in the future. Check the official USCIS Filing Fees page or consult with an immigration attorney for the most up-to-date fees and payment options.
Next steps after Form I-130
After filing Form I-130, the immigrating family member needs to apply for a Green Card, which they cannot do until a visa is actually available to receive. This part of the process is also referred to as waiting for a current priority date.
Once a visa is available, next is the actual Green Card application. That’s Form I-485 if the applicant is already living in the United States, or Form DS-260 and consular processing if the applicant lives outside the country.
At this stage, the petitioning citizen or resident will also file Form I-864, which confirms they have the financial means to support the immigrating family member through the Green Card process.
Simplify the process with an experienced lawyer
You’ve done the research. Now you’re ready for personalized answers and hands-on guidance to fill out your forms. At Manifest Law, we have years of experience helping immigrants and their family members through every step of the Green Card process.
Don’t delay. Request a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys today.
FAQs about Form I-130
Can I submit Form I-130 for multiple family members?
Yes, you can petition for as many eligible family members as you’d like, but you need to submit a separate form and pay a separate filing fee for each one.
Can I speed up Form I-130 processing time?
Unfortunately, you cannot use premium processing for I-130 petitions. Your best option is to submit the strongest possible petition from the start. An immigration attorney can help you gather all the necessary documents.
Does Form I-130 guarantee a Green Card?
No, an approved I-130 does not guarantee that you will get a Green Card. Even after Form I-130 is approved, you may need to wait years for an available visa before you can apply for a Green Card.
What happens if my Form I-130 is denied?
If your I-130 is denied, you may be able to appeal the decision or submit the form again if you have additional documentation to include. Talk to an immigration attorney to understand your options.
