One of the most common questions asked by families going through the immigration process is: How long does it take for USCIS to approve an I-130 petition? This is a very important question because the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step in bringing a family member to live permanently in the United States. Whether you are filing for a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan better and reduce stress.
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at how long it usually takes for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to approve an I-130. We will explain the steps involved, what affects the timeline, and what you can do to avoid delays. The goal is to keep everything simple and easy to understand.
What Is the I-130 Form?
The I-130 form is officially called the Petition for Alien Relative. It is filed by a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) who wants to help a close family member immigrate to the United States.
The purpose of the form is to prove that a real family relationship exists between the petitioner (the U.S. sponsor) and the person they want to bring to the U.S. (the beneficiary). Once the form is approved, the beneficiary can move on to the next steps, such as applying for a visa or green card.
Filing the I-130 is only the beginning of the immigration process. But it’s an important part because nothing else can happen until this petition is approved.
Who Can File an I-130?
U.S. citizens can file I-130 petitions for their:
Spouse
Children (any age, married or unmarried)
Parents
Siblings
U.S. green card holders (lawful permanent residents) can file I-130 petitions for their:
Spouse
Unmarried children (any age)
You must prove your legal status in the U.S. and your relationship to the person you’re sponsoring. USCIS will not accept a petition without strong evidence.
What Happens After You File the I-130?
Once USCIS receives your I-130 petition, they send a receipt notice, also called Form I-797C. This confirms they got your form and have begun processing it.
Then, the petition is reviewed. USCIS checks your relationship proof, your documents, and makes sure everything is correct. If they need more information, they may send a letter called a Request for Evidence (RFE). If everything is in order, USCIS will eventually approve the petition.
But how long does that take? That depends on many factors.
Average Processing Times for I-130
The time it takes for USCIS to approve an I-130 petition depends on:
Your immigration status (citizen or green card holder)
Relationship to the beneficiary (spouse, child, parent, or sibling)
Where you file (USCIS service center)
Whether the beneficiary is in the U.S. or abroad
The case backlog at USCIS
As of now, most I-130 petitions take anywhere from 7 months to 24 months. Some cases may be faster, and others may take longer, especially if there are missing documents or USCIS is dealing with a backlog.
Here’s a general idea:
U.S. citizen filing for spouse, child under 21, or parent: 7 to 15 months
U.S. citizen filing for married son/daughter or sibling: 10 to 20+ months
Green card holder filing for spouse or unmarried child: 10 to 20 months
These are only estimates. The actual wait time can vary a lot depending on the service center and how busy it is.
How to Check USCIS Processing Times
USCIS has a helpful tool on their website where you can check current I-130 processing times. Just go to the USCIS Case Processing Times page.
Here’s how to check:
Select “Form I-130” in the form type menu.
Choose the correct category (for example, “U.S. citizen filing for spouse”).
Select the USCIS service center handling your case (found on your receipt notice).
The site will show you the estimated processing time.
It’s a good idea to check this once a month for updates.
What Slows Down the I-130 Process?
Some cases take longer than others. Common reasons for delay include:
Missing documents: If your petition is missing forms, signatures, or required evidence, USCIS will send you a Request for Evidence (RFE). This will delay your case until you respond.
Incorrect fees: If you don’t pay the correct filing fee, your petition will be rejected.
Inconsistent information: If names, dates, or other personal info don’t match across your documents, USCIS may question the validity of the relationship.
USCIS backlog: Sometimes the delay is not your fault. USCIS often has too many cases and not enough staff.
Request for Evidence (RFE): If USCIS sends you a letter asking for more documents, your case won’t move forward until you reply. Then you must wait again for them to review your response.
Security checks: USCIS runs background checks on both the petitioner and the beneficiary. If anything raises a flag, your case may be delayed.
Transfer to another office: In some cases, your petition may be transferred to a different service center, which can slow things down.
Can You Speed Up the I-130 Process?
Most I-130 cases must follow the regular process, but in some rare situations, you may ask USCIS to expedite your petition. To qualify for expedited processing, you must show:
Severe financial loss to a person or company
Urgent humanitarian reasons
U.S. government interests
Emergency situations
You can’t just ask to expedite because you’re tired of waiting. USCIS only grants expedite requests in very serious cases.
To make an expedite request, call the USCIS Contact Center or submit a request online through your USCIS account. You must provide proof to support your reason for urgency.
What Happens After I-130 Approval?
Once USCIS approves your I-130 petition, your case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) if your relative is outside the U.S. The NVC will contact you for the next steps, which include submitting fees and additional documents for consular processing.
If your relative is already in the U.S. and eligible to apply for a green card (adjustment of status), they can submit Form I-485 after the I-130 is approved—or at the same time, if eligible.
Just remember: I-130 approval does not mean your relative gets a green card right away. It only means USCIS has recognized your family relationship. The next step depends on whether a visa is available and where your relative is located.
Visa Bulletin and Waiting for a Green Card
After I-130 approval, your relative may still need to wait for a visa to become available. This is especially true for cases filed by green card holders or U.S. citizens filing for siblings or adult children.
The Visa Bulletin, issued monthly by the U.S. Department of State, shows which priority dates are current. Your priority date is the date USCIS received your I-130. When your priority date becomes current, your relative can move forward with the green card process.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouse, parents, unmarried children under 21) do not have to wait for a visa number. Their cases can move forward as soon as the I-130 is approved.
Tips for a Smoother I-130 Process
Here are some tips to help avoid delays in your I-130 petition:
Double-check all forms before sending. Make sure they’re complete and signed.
Include all required documents to prove your relationship.
Send clear copies of your evidence.
Use the correct filing address to avoid rejections.
Pay the correct fee using an acceptable method.
Respond quickly to any USCIS letters or requests.
Keep copies of everything you send.
Track your case online using the USCIS receipt number.
Conclusion
The time it takes to get an I-130 petition approved can feel long, especially when you are waiting to reunite with a loved one. While the average time is 7 to 24 months, it depends on many things—like the relationship, your immigration status, and the service center’s workload.
You can’t always control the wait time, but you can make sure your petition is strong, complete, and submitted correctly. Staying organized and informed is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays.
If your case is taking much longer than average and you don’t understand why, you may want to contact USCIS or even speak with an immigration lawyer. They can help you understand your options and make sure your case is on track.
Reuniting with family is worth the wait, and with patience and preparation, you can get through the I-130 process more smoothly.
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- After I-130 Approval: What Happens Next in the Immigration Process?
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