Petition for Family Green Card Reference Guide

How long will it take USCIS to process my petition?

Check the USCIS website here to see how long it is taking USCIS to process your I-130. In the Form drop-down select “I-130 Petition for Alien Relative.” In the Form Category drop-down select the category that is most applicable to your situation. In the Field Office or Service Center drop-down, select the office or center that is listed at the bottom of your receipt notice, Form I-797C. 

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How can I check the status of my petition?

You can check your case status on the USCIS website here. MyImmigration will also send you updates anytime your case status changes.

If I move while my petition is pending, how do I notify USCIS that my address changed?

It is very important that you promptly update your address when you move. If you don’t, important notices from USCIS may be sent to the wrong address. You can update your address on USCIS’s website here

After my petition is approved, when will a visa become available so my family member can apply for the green card?

After the approval of your Form I-130, your relative has to wait until a visa becomes available to apply for lawful permanent residence. If you are a US citizen and the relative you petitioned for on the I-130 is your spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21 years old, then the visa is available immediately. If you and your relative fall under a different filing category, then your relative may have to wait for a visa to become available before applying for lawful permanent residence. 

 

The Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin which can help you determine whether the visa is available or not and whether your relative can apply for permanent residence or not. If your relative lives outside the US and is planning on applying for lawful permanent residence via an immigrant visa, then this visa bulletin is the proper bulletin to view. The Visa Bulletin can be found here

 

US Citizenship and Immigration Services has an Adjustment of Status filing chart based on the visa bulletin. If your relative lives inside the US and is planning to adjust status to lawful permanent resident status, then this is the bulletin your relative should view to determine when they can apply for lawful permanent residence. The USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Chart can be found here.