Does an Approved I-130 Mean a Green Card?

No, an approved Form I-130 does not automatically mean that the beneficiary will receive a green card.

What an Approved I-130 Means

• It confirms that a valid family relationship exists between the U.S. petitioner (a citizen or permanent resident) and the foreign beneficiary.
  
• It makes the beneficiary eligible to apply for a green card but does not grant permanent residency by itself.

Next Steps After I-130 Approval

To obtain a green card (lawful permanent residence), the beneficiary must take additional steps, depending on where they are located:

• If inside the U.S.:
  If a visa is available in their category, the beneficiary must file Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) to become a permanent resident.
  
• If outside the U.S.:
  The case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), and the beneficiary must go through consular processing, which involves applying for an immigrant visa and attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Important Note

In some cases, other forms such as Form I-944 (Declaration of Self-Sufficiency) or Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) may also be required as part of the green card process.

In summary: An approved I-130 is the first step, not the final one. The beneficiary still needs to complete the separate process of applying for a green card.

Also, read >> Do We Need a Lawyer for the I-130?