Frequently Asked Questions About Form I-130

The i-130, also known as the petition for alien relative, establishes a strong family connection between a citizen or holder of a green card in the United States and the applicant for a green card. The i130 petition is the name of this form.

The first step in obtaining a family-based green card is to file an i-130 petition with USCIS, which places you in line for an open green card. We’ll discuss a few of the form i-130’s most frequently asked questions in this article.

What’s the difference between form I-130 and form I- 485?

If you are a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, the first step in assisting a relative to apply for a green card is to complete Form I-130. You must demonstrate your kinship to a person who qualifies for permanent residency. Let’s say your relative is already present in the country. In that situation, individuals might be eligible to simultaneously modify status and submit an application for permanent residency using form I-485. You might be able to submit these forms all at once in some circumstances.

How do I file form I- 130?

Form I-130 can be submitted online or by mail. You must register for a USCIS online account in order to file electronically. Even if your relative is already in the country and you intend to mail in form I-485, you can still submit form I-130 online.

If you reside in the US, form I-130 may also be submitted by mail. Depending on the state you reside in and if your relative is filing Form I-485, you must determine which address to send your petition to. USCIS will also ask you to send it to the Dallas, Chicago, or Phoenix lockbox.

USCIS form I-485 Application to register permanent residence or adjust status

Any of the five service centers run by USCIS will process it. Let’s say you reside outside of the US. If so, you can submit your application at the USCIS lockbox in Dallas or online. If there are extraordinary circumstances, you can also ask to submit your application at the nearest U.S. consulate. If you don’t completely fill out the form and sign it, USCIS may reject it.

How long does the I-130 petition process take?

The USCIS field office that receives your petition for immediate relatives, a spouse, a parent, or a child will determine the family relationship and processing time for your i-130 petition. The USCIS I-130 processing timeframes for family preference visas range from 6 to 11 months; for instance, processing durations for siblings might go from 6 to 20 years or longer.

How much does the I-130 cost?

A petition for an i-130 visa now costs 535 US dollars to file with the government. Using form g1450, you can pay for this with a cheque or a credit card.

Can I expedite processing for form I- 130?

I-130 petitions cannot be processed using premium services. To speed up form i-130 processing, you can still submit a special request to USCIS. The request will often only be taken into account by USCIS if there are urgent humanitarian needs or US government interests.

Who can file form I-130?

If you are a citizen of the United States, you can submit Form I-130 for each of your qualifying family, which includes your spouse, kids, siblings, and parents. If you are a permanent resident, you may file a petition on behalf of your spouse and any minor children. If the marriage that formed the relationship happened when the child was under 18, you can also apply on behalf of your stepchild.

What documents will I need to file Form I-130?

You must provide proof of your kinship to the relative you are petitioning for when submitting form I-130. You can use a birth certificate, citizenship or naturalization certificate, passport, green card, or other documentation of a family connection as examples of proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.

If you’re petitioning for your spouse, you’ll need to give more evidence of your relationship and demonstrate that you have a genuine marriage, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate. You can accomplish this by providing evidence that you jointly own or rent a property, joint bank account statements, and testimonials from individuals who can attest to the sincerity of your connection, among other things. If we missed any queries, please email us at info@f4india.com.