Most family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants use this form to show they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support.

What This Form Can Help You To Do:

* U.S. Citizen Petition for a Preference Relative to Become a Lawful Permanent Resident

* U.S. Citizen Petition for an Immediate Relative to Become a Lawful Permanent Resident

U.S. Citizen Petition for a Preference Relative to Become a Lawful Permanent Resident

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may be able to apply for certain family members to become a lawful permanent resident (get their Green Card).  Becoming a lawful permanent resident is a two-part process which includes the petition you file for your relative (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative) and your relative’s application for adjustment of status (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) or an immigrant visa through the Department of State.   

As a U.S. citizen, you may file for the following “preference” relatives:

• Your unmarried sons or daughters over 21 years of age;
• Your married sons or daughters (any age); and
• Your siblings.

U.S. Citizen Petition for an Immediate Relative to Become a Lawful Permanent Resident

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may be able to petition for certain family members to become a lawful permanent resident (get their Green Card). Becoming a lawful permanent resident is a two-part process. You must file a petition for your relative (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative) and your relative must apply for adjustment of status (using Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) or for an immigrant visa through the Department of State.

As a U.S. citizen, you may file a petition for the following “immediate relatives”:

• Your spouse;
• Your unmarried child under 21 years of age; or
• Your parent (if you are 21 years of age or older).

If your qualifying immediate relative currently resides in the United States and wants to apply for lawful permanent resident status, they may apply using Form I-485 at the same time or after you file Form I-130.

If your qualifying immediate relative does not live in the United States, they must wait until your Form I-130 petition had been approved before they apply for an immigrant visa through the Department of State.

Some immediate relative children may have already acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. For more information, see USCIS’ webpage on Citizenship and Naturalization: I am the Child of a U.S. Citizen. If your immediate relative child is already a U.S. citizen, they are not eligible for an immigrant visa and you should not file a Form I-130 on their behalf. Your immediate relative child may be eligible to apply for a U.S. passport. For information about applying for a U.S. passport, see the Department of State’s Passport Information webpage.

Widows or widowers of U.S. citizens should go to our Green Card for Widow(er)s USCIS webpage for information.