Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) - An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required.
Changes in Policy: In recent years, the USCIS has made efforts to reduce the processing time for I-130 petitions. This change means that in some cases, the I-130 can be as fast, if not faster, than the K-3 visa. Case-by-Case Basis: Each application is unique.
What is the difference between Form I-485 and Form I-130? If you are helping a relative apply for a green card, Form I-485 (“Application for Adjustment of Status”) is the second step in the family-based green card process after submitting Form I-130 (“Petition for Alien Relative”).
You are eligible to self-petition under VAWA if: You are an abused or battered spouse of a U.S. citizen or LPR. You are a spouse of a U.S. citizen or LPR and your child or children are being abused. You are a child of a U.S. citizen or LPR who is being abused or battered by that parent.
Form I-134 is a promise to financially support a person applying for a temporary visa to the United States, namely a travel visa or a K-1 fiancé visa. Form I-864 is a promise to financially support a person applying for a green card in order to live in the United States permanently.
You can file Form I-130 online even if your relative is in the United States and will file their Form I-485 by mail. Once you submit your Form I-130 online, we will send a receipt notice to your USCIS online account. Provide a copy of the receipt notice to your relative to include in their Form I-485 packet.
You must file a separate Form I-130 for each eligible relative unless they can be considered a derivative beneficiary. See the form instructions for more information. If you submit a petition for your spouse, you must also submit Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.
Total I-130 Processing Time After filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, the approval process can take anywhere from 10 to 13 months for immediate relatives and could take several years for family preference categories. This is an approximation. It may be shorter for some and longer for others.
In the context of immigration, a letter of support is a letter written by friends, family, or colleagues to vouch for the character and relationship of the applicant. These letters are often required in cases of adjustment of status based on marriage, fiancé visas, and citizenship applications.
Use this form to agree to provide financial support to a beneficiary of certain immigration benefits for the duration of their temporary stay in the United States. You must file a separate Form I-134 for each beneficiary.
 
                    