Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130)

The Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) is a document filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to establish a relationship with a foreign relative seeking to immigrate to the United States. This form is the first step in the immigration process, demonstrating that the petitioner has a qualifying family connection, like a spouse, child, or sibling. Once approved, it can pave the way for the relative to apply for a visa or adjust their status to become a permanent resident.