The Form I-130, also known as the Petition for Alien Relative, is a form used by US citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor certain eligible family members for immigration to the United States. The Form is typically filed by the US citizen (or lawful permanent resident) with United States Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS) to establish the familial relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary. Beneficiaries may include spouses, parents, children, and siblings of the petitioner; depending on their immigration status and other eligibility criteria.
The I-130 form requires detailed information about the petitioner and the beneficiary, including their names, birth dates, places of birth, and immigration status, it also features documentation to support their familial relationship. The USCIS reviews the form and accompanying documents to determine eligibility of the beneficiary. Once approved, the beneficiary can proceed in the next steps of the immigration process, including: applying for a visa or adjustment of status for permanent residence. It is important to note that the processing time for the I-130 petition can vary based on a number of factors including the complexity of the case and USCIS workload.