What Is the Difference Between I-130 and I-485?The main difference between Form I-130 and Form I-485 lies in their purpose and who can use them during the immigration process.Form I-130 – Petition for Alien RelativePurpose: To establish a qualifying family relationship between a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (the petitioner) and a foreign national [...]

 How Do I Petition an Alien Relative Living Outside the US?To petition for an alien relative living outside the United States, you must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form is used to establish a qualifying family relationship between you (the petitioner) and your relative (the [...]

 What is the Fee for a Petition for an Alien Relative? The filing fee for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is:$675 for paper filings$625 for online filingsThese fees represent an increase from the previous fee of $535. The fee adjustment is part of a broader USCIS fee schedule update aimed at aligning fees with operational [...]

 What Happens after Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Is Approved? Once Form I-130 is approved by USCIS, it means your family relationship has been officially recognized, but your relative has not yet been granted a green card. The next steps depend on whether your relative is inside or outside the U.S. and their visa category:If [...]

 How Long Does It Take to Petition for an Alien Relative?The time it takes to petition for an alien relative using Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) depends on several factors, including the status, the relationship to the beneficiary, and USCIS processing times.The processing time to petition for an alien relative typically takes 12 to [...]

 Can My Spouse Sponsor Me to the US. After We Get Married?Yes, your spouse can sponsor you for a green card after you get married if they are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder). This process usually begins with your spouse (the petitioner) filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, [...]

 What Happens After I Marry a US Citizen?After marrying a US. citizen, the non-citizen spouse becomes eligible to apply for a green card (permanent resident status). This green card allows them to permanently live and work in the United States.The process begins with the U.S. citizen filing a petition (Form I-130) to establish the relationship, [...]

 Do We Need a Lawyer for the I-130?No, you are not required to hire a lawyer to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Many individuals complete and submit the form independently, especially when the case is straightforward, such as a U.S. citizen petitioning for a spouse, parent, or child with no legal complications.However, seeking [...]

 Who Is Eligible for Family Based Green Card?Eligibility for a Family-Based Green Card depends on your relationship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder). Here’s a breakdown of who qualifies:1. Immediate Relatives of U.S. CitizensSpouse of a U.S. citizenUnmarried child (under 21) of a U.S. citizenParent of a U.S. citizen (if [...]

 How Many Family-Based Green Card Spillovers in 2025?  In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, it is projected that at least 25,000 unused family-based green cards from previous years, particularly FY 2023, will spill over into the employment-based green card categories. This spillover would increase the employment-based green card cap to approximately 165,000, which is 25,000 more than [...]