How long does the I-130 petition process take?

5 to 12 months
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 documents do you need for I-130 form?

Form I-130 Required Documents

  • Proof that the sponsor is a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
  • Proof that a legally valid relationship exists.
  • Proof that the relationship is not fraudulent.
  • Proof of name changes for the sponsor and/or the person seeking a green card, if any.

How much does the I-130 petition cost?

$535
The filing fee for Form I-130 is $535. The filing fee for this petition cannot be waived. NOTE: The filing fee is not refundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on this petition.

Do I need to submit photos with I-130?

Passport-style photos are a typical part of visa petition. If you are filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) or Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé), you’ll also need to submit photos for both the U.S. petitioner and foreign national beneficiary.

Is it better to file I-130 online?

Sometimes, when you’re working on an online I-130, you’ll run into glitches where the system can be slow. The data entry takes a lot longer on the online system. There’s a lot more repetition and there aren’t tools that you can use to fill it faster which you would be able to do with the paper form.

Can I travel outside U.S. while I-130 is pending?

However, if your I-130 petition is approved and you have filed for adjustment of status or you concurrently filed I-130 and I-485 and they are in pending status then traveling outside the U.S. will result in abandoning your application.

How long does it take Form I-130 approval to interview?

That can often take six to eight weeks after approval of the I-130, and possibly even longer. When NVC receives your case, it will send you a notification, typically via email. If you’re a “preference relative” (on a waiting list), that delay won’t affect you much.