Family petition: parents, children, siblings (2026)
F1–F4 and immediate relatives, egov.uscis.gov timelines, I-130 fees, and priority-date strategy for family petitions.
📋 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.
Immediate vs preference
Immediate (no visa number): spouse, unmarried under-21 children, parents of 21+ citizen.
F1–F4 preferences: unmarried adult children, LPR children, married adult children, siblings.
Each I-130 pays USCIS $675/$625. Multiple relatives = multiple fees.
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.
Parents of citizen
Often I-130 then I-485 if in U.S. with lawful entry, or consular if abroad.
Siblings (F4)
Long Visa Bulletin lines — especially Mexico. Filing early sets priority date even with multi-year waits.
Mistakes
- Filing I-130 with wrong birth records → RFE.
- Assuming I-130 approval = visa tomorrow → false in F4.
- Weak I-864 planning → NVC issues.
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 |
Illustrative timeline (F4 sibling — fictional)
Citizen files I-130 January 2026 → priority date January 2026 → multi-year visa wait → NVC → consular interview. Some clients complete stages in a few months when a visa is available; others wait 12+ months in a single phase. USCIS and State control timing; results vary.
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.
Children of LPR (F2A/F2B)
LPRs petition spouses and unmarried children; F2 categories queue in the Visa Bulletin. Each relative = separate I-130 at $675/$625.
Reading the Visa Bulletin (no date promises)
Find your category (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4) and country of birth. Your I-130 priority date must be before the chart date for a visa number. USCIS and State publish monthly charts — we do not predict when a line “moves.”
Parents inside vs outside the U.S.
Inside with lawful inspected entry: often concurrent I-130 + I-485 ($1,440) if immediate. Outside: I-130 → NVC → consulate; consular fees separate.
Category FAQ
Cost to petition a sibling? I-130 $675/$625 per sibling; F4 waits can be years.
Work while waiting F4? Not with only a pending I-130.
Citizen petition married adult child? Yes, F3 with a queue.
LPR petition parents? No — only 21+ citizens.
Multiple siblings? One I-130 each, each fee.
USCIS speed up F4? No legal “pay for speed.”
Concierge role? Vital records, translations, I-130 ready for your signature and mailing.
Visa guarantee? No.
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.
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
Cost to petition mother? +
USCIS I-130 $675/$625 plus separate consular/AOS costs.
Work while waiting F4? +
F4 queue does not grant work permission until visa/status.
Speed up sibling? +
No legal priority purchase; priority date matters.
Multiple I-130s? +
Yes, fee each.
Who controls F4 line? +
USCIS approves I-130; visa numbers from Visa Bulletin/State.
LPR petition parents? +
No — parents only for citizens.
Concierge role? +
Prepare I-130 and evidence; you sign and pay USCIS.