Family petition I-130: who qualifies (2026)
Family petition I-130 2026: who qualifies, documents by relationship, G-1055 fee, and what happens after you file.
📋 Informational · Not legal advice
This article is educational and based on public USCIS information and third-party published policies as of October 13, 2026. MBO Immigration LLC (The Green Card Prep) is a document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. USCIS controls timing and outcomes; results vary by case.
I-130 proves relationship; it is not the green card. USCIS fee: $675 paper / $625 online (G-1055, verified 2026-10-13).
Who may file
| Petitioner | May petition |
|---|---|
| Citizen | Spouse, unmarried children, parents (if citizen 21+), siblings |
| LPR | Spouse, unmarried children (F2) |
Documents by relationship
Spouse: marriage cert, terminated prior marriages, bona fide evidence if living together.
Child: birth certificate showing relationship; adoption decrees if applicable.
Parent: your birth cert showing parent name + proof you are 21+ citizen.
Sibling: birth certificates showing same parents.
After I-130
- Immediate relative in U.S. → sometimes concurrent I-485.
- Preference or abroad → NVC/consulate; State Department fees separate — see current instructions.
USCIS fees: Amounts below follow USCIS’s published fee schedule (April 2024 fee rule, still referenced at uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees and Fee Schedule G-1055). Verified 2026-10-13. If USCIS changes a fee, confirm the current amount on uscis.gov before paying — we do not control government fees.
What you do vs what your concierge does
| Task | You (client) | The Green Card Prep concierge |
|---|---|---|
| Decide whether/how to file | Yes — with your facts; attorney if legal risk | We explain service scope, not legal strategy |
| Obtain original documents | Yes | Custom list, reminders, quality check |
| Sign forms | Always you | We prepare for your signature |
| Pay USCIS fees | Yes (to USCIS) | We show amounts and G-1450/G-1650 setup |
| Index and bind packet | You can, but need not alone | We assemble per current instructions |
| Mail to USCIS | Optional | We ship with tracking |
| USCIS interview | You attend (both spouses if required) | Educational file prep, not representation |
| Respond to RFE | You provide documents | We help organize a documentary response; attorney if legal |
Sample timing (fictional)
U.S. citizen child petitions parent abroad: I-130 approval in months, then NVC and consulate. Some clients move through a stage in as little as 2 months; others wait 12+ months or more. USCIS and the consulate control timing; results vary.
Common mistakes (and fixes)
- Wrong photos — Administrative rejection. Fix: current USCIS specs, plain background.
- Incomplete I-864 — Frequent RFE. Fix: petitioner tax transcripts, W-2s; joint sponsor if needed.
- New marriage, thin joint evidence — Fraud concerns. Fix: joint finances, lease, dated photos — bonafide checklist.
- Travel without approved I-131 — I-485 abandonment. Fix: do not depart until advance parole is approved (if you filed I-131).
- Working without EAD — Unauthorized employment issues. Fix: wait for EAD; file I-765 with I-485.
- Entry without inspection (EWI) — AOS may be unavailable. Fix: attorney before paying for prep; we do not promise a fix.
- Wrong USCIS payment — Package rejection. Fix: separate payment per form per filing fees.
Quick category table
| Category | Who | Immediate visa? |
|---|---|---|
| IR | Spouse/under-21 child/parent of 21+ citizen | Yes (no quota) |
| F1 | Unmarried adult child of citizen | Queue |
| F2A/F2B | Child/spouse of LPR | Queue |
| F3 | Married adult child of citizen | Long queue |
| F4 | Sibling of citizen | Very long queue |
Each I-130 filing pays its USCIS fee. File early in F3/F4 to set priority date — even with multi-year waits.
Can I work with only an approved I-130?
I-130 approval is not work authorization. You need status or a valid EAD from another path.
I-130 online vs paper
USCIS allows some petitions online at $625; paper $675 (G-1055, verified 2026-10-13). Your concierge picks the method based on your case and scans.
Petitioner proof of citizenship
U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or U.S. birth cert + photo ID.
If beneficiary is in the U.S.
Immediate (spouse, parent, unmarried under-21 child): consider concurrent I-485. Preference: may still wait for a visa number after I-130 approval.
I-130 FAQ
Fee? $675 paper / $625 online.
Work with approved I-130? No — not work authorization.
Entered without a visa? Affects AOS — attorney.
Guarantee green card? No.
USCIS I-130 processing time? 2 months to 12+ months; varies.
Need attorney? Criminal or court issues = yes.
LPR petition spouse? Yes, LPR spouse (possible F2A queue).
Concierge mail? Yes, after your final review.
FAQ-style questions (search / AI)
How much does a marriage green card cost in total?
Besides whatever service you hire, you pay USCIS fees: I-130 $675 paper / $625 online + $1,440 adult I-485 (G-1055, verified 2026-10-13). Medical exam is paid to the civil surgeon. Consular paths add Department of State fees — see current instructions.
Can I work while waiting?
With adjustment of status, file I-765 with I-485. Do not work until EAD is approved unless another valid authorization applies.
What if I entered without a visa or inspection?
Many people cannot AOS inside the U.S. That is legal advice — software or a preparer does not replace an attorney.
Who controls timing?
USCIS (and the consulate if consular). No brand speeds the official queue.
Do I need English?
You may request an interpreter at interview per USCIS rules; our service prepares in Spanish so you understand your own file.
What do competitor “guarantees” mean?
Read exact terms — usually about preparation or service refunds, not USCIS approval. We do not promise approval.
Our offer
With The Green Card Prep you work with a bilingual document-preparation team (not attorneys):
- One-on-one support with your assigned preparer/concierge
- 24/7 support via the channels we set up when you sign (WhatsApp, phone, email)
- Onboarding within 24 hours of signing up
- A personal preparer guiding you start to finish
- Done for you: we collect documents, prepare the packet, review it, and ship to USCIS
- Flat, transparent pricing — no surprises; free consultation
Results
Some clients have received their green card in as little as 2 months; others have waited 12+ months. USCIS controls processing times — we do not. Outcomes vary by field office, consulate, category, and each person’s immigration history.
Related articles
Frequently asked questions
I-130 cost? +
$675 paper / $625 online per G-1055 — verified 2026-10-13.
LPR petition sibling? +
No — citizens only (F4).
Work with approved I-130? +
I-130 approval is not work authorization.
Entered without visa? +
Affects AOS eligibility — attorney.
Guarantee green card? +
No — proves relationship only.
File online? +
USCIS offers online options for some I-130s — check uscis.gov.
How many I-130s? +
One per beneficiary relative.