After filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, the approval process can take anywhere from
5 to 12 months for immediate relatives and could take several years for family preference categories
. This is an approximation. It may be shorter for some and longer for others.
What is the purpose of I-130?
What Is the Purpose of Form I-130? A citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States may file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
to establish the existence of a relationship to certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States
.
What happens after submitting I-130?
I-130 Receipt Notice
Within two to three weeks after you file,
the USCIS will send you written notification that they have received your I-130 petition
. In addition, a Form I-797C, Notice of Action, will arrive in the mail, providing you with a receipt number you can use online to check your case status.
Can I stay in the U.S. while waiting for I-130?
While the sponsor is waiting for the I-130 petition to be approved,
the relative may be able to travel to the United States on a tourist visa
, such as a visa waiver or a B-1/B-2 visitor visa.
How long does it take for I-130 to be approved 2021?
Average time –
Seven to 32 months
to get a Form I-130 petition (Petition for Alien Relative) approved by USCIS as of early 2021; another six to ten months or longer to get an immigrant visa to come to the United States.
How do I know if my I-130 is approved?
You can check your I-130 petition's status, and if you notice that your online case status is “approved,” but you still haven't received your NOA2, you can
contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283
.
How long is I-130 for spouse?
If your Form I-130 will be processed at the California Service Center, the estimated time range is: Permanent Resident Filing for a Spouse —
19.5 months to 25.5 months
. U.S. Citizen Filing for a Spouse — 19.5 months to 25.5 months.
How much money do you need to sponsor someone in USA?
The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is
$22,887
. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not in active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.
What is I-130 petition for Alien Relative?
Use this form if you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) and you need to establish your relationship to an eligible relative who wishes to come to or remain in the United States permanently and get a Permanent Resident Card (also called a Green Card).
Does I-130 require an interview?
The interview enables USCIS to verify important information about the applicant to determine eligibility for adjustment. For family-based applications,
USCIS generally requires the Form I-130 petitioner to appear for the interview with the principal adjustment of status applicant
.
What does it mean when USCIS is actively reviewing your case?
Does the I-130 expire?
How long is the I-130 petition valid? After the I-130 petition is approved and an IV applicant receives an Instruction Package, he/she must apply for a visa within 2 years from the date on the Instruction Package letter.
Can an I-130 be denied?
Yes, the I-130, like any other visa petition, can also be denied
. USCIS denies thousands of such petitions every year – and while the reasons may vary, some of them may be easily avoided.
How long is immigrant visa valid for?
You must arrive in and apply for admission to the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa is usually valid for
up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months
.
How can I speed up my I-130?
You can generally request expedited processing by
calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice
.
Is filing I-130 online faster?
According to USCIS, Form I-130 is one of the most widely used forms, and transitioning to online, paperless filing will make their agency “more effective and more efficient.”
Online filing often results in quicker and more streamlined case processing
.
Can my spouse visit me while I-130 visa is processing?
It is absolutely possible for a foreign spouse to visit their partner in the United States while awaiting their green card application
. If you are a foreign spouse, you may apply to enter the United States via a tourist visa if you have a pending I-130 petition, and wish to go back to your home country after the visit.
What are the benefits of marrying a U.S. citizen?
- No Annual Limit on Visas. …
- Long Wait for Government Processing of Applications. …
- Possibility to Adjust Status After Legal U.S. Entry. …
- First Two Years of Residence Are Likely to Be Conditional.
