Immigration Lawyer Chicago/ Immigration Forms for U.S. Citizenship, Naturalization, and Admission/ What Is Form I-130? Instructions, Filing Fee, and Petition for Alien Relative
U.S. Citizens Can File For
Green Card Holders Can File For
The processes for an individual and one of their relatives to enter the United States require different forms. Even if an individual successfully obtains an adjustment of status for lawful permanent residence, they will still need to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for their relatives to enter the country legally.
With extensive experience and understanding of immigration law, our Chicago immigration lawyers can provide tailored support to streamline the I-130 Form filing process, avoid delays, and boost the chances of success for you and your relatives.
Before the relative can seek a green card, the U.S. citizen must complete Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to establish a valid family relationship between the two parties. This form is typically referred to as an I-130 form or I-130 petition.
There are currently two ways to file the I-130 form—online or by traditional mail. To file the petition electronically, you must sign up for a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) account. Along with increasing the ease of filing, this account will also streamline your ability to receive alerts about your case, upload supporting documents, see case correspondence, and check your current status. You are eligible to submit the I-130 form online if your relative is in the U.S. and has plans to physically mail in their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
If you’re filing the I-130 form by mail and live in the U.S., you must confirm your I-130 filing address. The list of offices you can have your petition mailed to is found here on the USCIS website. The location it’s sent to will depend on your current state residence and the status of your relative’s I-485 form. The petition will then be sent from a lockbox in Phoenix, AZ; Dallas, TX; or Chicago, IL, to a USCIS service center for processing.
If you do not live in the U.S. and wish to file an I-130 form, you can file online or at the USCIS Lockbox in Dallas. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be able to file at the nearest U.S. Embassy. USCIS will reject your petition if all sections are not properly completed.
When filing a Form I-130 petition with USCIS, you must also include a variety of supporting documents as evidence. These documents should prove both (1) that you and the family member have a valid relationship and (2) that you are allowed to file an I-130 form in the first place. The documents that must be submitted with an I-130 petition include the following:
For example, those filing for a family-based green card must include a copy of the sponsor’s birth certificate as proof that they are a U.S. citizen.
In the event that a required document is unavailable, you will be required to submit some form of alternative documentation. Typically called “secondary evidence,” these documents are necessary for USCIS to make a decision about your I-130 petition.
If you do not have access to your birth certificate, you can get a statement from the government agency in your original country stating that your birth certificate is unavailable. If you cannot do this, you must get different records—such as a religious certificate or school record—that show facts about your birth. USCIS will also accept written statements from relatives who are able to confirm the facts of your birth. An immigration lawyer may also be able to assist you in obtaining applicable documents that can be substituted for the required information.
Individuals who are currently U.S. citizens are able to file I-130 petitions for their children, parents, spouses, and siblings. Individuals who are currently green card holders may only file I-130 petitions for their unmarried children or spouses. When a U.S. citizen or green card holder files the Form I-130, they become the “sponsor” or “petitioner.” The individual who is seeking the green card then becomes the “beneficiary.”
Even when valid family relationships are present, there are certain circumstances that may exclude a sponsor from filing a Form I-130. You may not file an I-130 petition for the following:
Some of these cases have exceptions in which you may still be able to file an I-130 petition if you have the proper supporting documentation.
Although an I-130 is a necessary prerequisite application for the lawful permanent residence of a relative, there is still a cost associated with it. This cost is called a “filing fee” and is paid to USCIS by sending a check in the mail or using a credit card (see Form G-1450). The Form I-130 filing fee is currently $535.
An I-130 petition alone does not grant lawful permanent residence, rather, it opens the gates for an individual to apply. What happens after you file will depend on the context of your relationship with the beneficiary. If they are an “Immediate Relative” (a U.S. citizen’s spouse, unmarried children, adopted orphan, or parent), they will typically be allowed to move forward in adjusting their status. If they are in the “Family Preference” category (unmarried children over 21, a permanent resident’s spouse and unmarried children, unmarried adult children of permanent residents, married sons and daughters, and siblings of U.S. citizens), they might pursue a green card or separate route because the waiting period for status adjustment is longer.
The amount of time it takes for your I-130 petition to process depends heavily on the context of your family relationship. If you are a green card holder petitioning for an immediate relative—which includes a spouse, parent, or child—to enter the country, the processing time will likely fall between 13 and 19 months. If you are a U.S. citizen petitioning for an immediate relative, I-130 processing times will likely range from 15 to 20 months. If you are filing for a family preference category I-130 petition, it can take any amount of time between 13 months and several years before getting approved.
The quicker you file an I-130 form, the higher your chances are of it being processed in a timely manner. The longer you wait, the more potential holdups you will encounter. The USCIS field office which receives your petition also plays a role in the speed of your I-130 processing time. Additionally, remember that USCIS can deny any application without sufficient evidence, so make sure to research an I-130 checklist for parents or other relatives and submit all necessary information.
There are many stages in the I-130 process that may require additional clarification. Especially if it is your first time dealing with USCIS or English is not your first language, it can be extremely difficult to navigate the agency’s regulations.
Hiring an experienced immigration attorney can make it significantly easier to understand what is expected of you, and how to obtain the required documents. We will assist you as much as possible in collecting and presenting evidence to USCIS to increase your chances of successfully bringing your relatives to the U.S.
Contact Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. by filling out our online form or call us at (312) 444-1940 to get started. The longer you wait, the longer it will take before your loved ones can enter the country.
U.S. Citizens Can File For
Green Card Holders Can File For