What is the purpose of Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative?

Petition for Alien Relative, or Form I-130, is aimed to help your family members abroad get a status of permanent residents and immigrate to the USA. Only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are eligible to submit this form.

It should be noted that filing Form I-130 is the first stage of the family-based immigration. There must be a visa number available before an eligible family member can apply to become a lawful permanent resident. Before immigrating to the USA, your relative has to wait from several months to a few years. Waiting time depends on the country of origin, type of relationship and your status (permanent resident or citizen).

Your foreign family member lines up for a visa number after you submit Petition for Alien Relative. That place in a line corresponds to the submission date of your application. The sooner you file the properly executed Form I-130, the faster he/she will receive a green card.