Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step in sponsoring a family member for a U.S. green card. Processing times vary significantly based on the relationship category and whether you're filing for an immediate relative or a preference category beneficiary.
Current Processing Times (2026)
Immediate relatives (spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21 of U.S. citizen): 7–14 months. Family preference categories: 15–36+ months for petition approval, plus additional Visa Bulletin wait times.
Categories and Timelines
Immediate Relatives (IR): No annual cap. Spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens. Currently processing in 7–14 months. F1: Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens. F2A: Spouses and children of green card holders — now current for filing. F2B/F3/F4: Extended family categories with multi-year backlogs.
Filing Process
The petitioner (U.S. citizen or green card holder) files I-130 with supporting evidence. After approval, the beneficiary proceeds through either adjustment of status (if in the U.S.) or consular processing (if abroad). The I-864 Affidavit of Support is required.