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 13 months for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens
- If the petitioner is a green card holder (lawful permanent resident), the wait time can be much longer—up to 35 months or more.
The total time to bring a relative to the U.S. also depends on visa availability. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents) have no annual visa limits, so their cases usually move faster after approval.
However, relatives in family preference categories (such as siblings or married children) may face multi-year waits due to annual visa quotas and country-specific backlogs.
