If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder) and want to submit a petition for your relatives to come and live in the US with you, this article is for you! We’ll help you to better understand what the I-130 form is, how to submit it, and which are the most important documents needed. Form I-130 is a Petition for an Alien Relative and it can be seen as the opening move to bring your relatives to the United States for a Green Card, and have the family reunited!
Step #1: Who can apply for a F2A visa?
It’s important to determine who you’ll be filing the petition for, as only the spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age fall within the F2A category. Always take into consideration that you must prove to USCIS the family relationship is real, and the best way to do that is with a strong packet of supporting documents.
Step #2: How to file Form I-130 in F2A category
This form can be prepared and filed online through a USCIS online account or as a hard copy and mailed; either way, please take into consideration the below points:
- If paper filing:
- Make sure you have filled out the most recent version of the form since USCIS won’t accept outdated versions.
- Visit the Form I-130 guide to find the appropriate USCIS filing address to mail your I-130 to.
- If filing for your spouse, you’ll also need to prepare a Form I-130A. All forms can be found on USCIS website.
- You must pay the governmental filing fee. For paper filings, as of January 2025, it’s $675, and for online filings, it is $625; however, keep an eye on the USCIS Fee Schedule as fees are subject to change.
- If filing online, you’ll need to create a USCIS online account through which you’ll prepare the form and upload the evidence.
Step #3: Form I-130 Checklist
The most important documents needed to file a strong I-130 petition are:
- Evidence of the petitioner’s lawful permanent residence (Valid green card)
- Evidence of family relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate)
- Evidence of the genuine nature of the marriage (If applying for a spouse)
- Two passport-style photographs
View the full I-130 checklist of documents to ensure all required documents are submitted.