Blog Post
What Does I-130 Approval Mean?
5/26/2025
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step in the family-based immigration process. This petition establishes the relationship between a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and their relative abroad. Its approval confirms the qualifying connection necessary to proceed with the following stages of the process.
Family relationships are central to U.S. immigration. However, they are prioritized differently based on the type of connection. Some relatives have shorter wait times for I-130 approval, while others face significant delays due to visa limits. Beneficiaries are classified into two main categories:
Immediate Relatives: This category includes spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. These relationships are prioritized, and visa numbers are always available for them.
Family Preference Categories: This group covers more distant relatives, such as adult children, married or unmarried, and siblings of U.S. citizens. Additionally, it includes spouses and children of lawful permanent residents (LPR). These categories are subject to annual numerical limits, and wait times can range from months to years.
After waiting, receiving approval is an exciting and rewarding moment. However, it doesn’t automatically grant the beneficiary permission to live or work in the United States. Instead, it paves the way for the next phase, which could include adjustment of status or consular processing. The specific steps depend on where the beneficiary’s location.
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