U.S. Citizen Petition for a Spouse
To promote family unity, U.S. immigration law allows U.S. citizens to petition for their foreign-born spouse to come live permanently in the United States.
Eligibility
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can file a petition for your foreign-born spouse and, under certain situations, the children of your spouse.
To petition for your spouse’s children, they must be unmarried, under 21 years old, and have been under the age of 18 at the time of your marriage to your spouse. You must file a separate Form I-130 for each child.
How to File
File online
Create a USCIS online account to file online and:
- Submit evidence and pay fees electronically
- Receive case status updates about your case and see complete case history
- Communicate with us securely and directly
- Respond to requests for evidence
If you already have a USCIS online account, simply sign into your account to get started.
File by Paper
- Read the instructions for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative;
- Complete and sign Form I-130;
- Pay the filing fee, if applicable; and
- Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation.
Want status updates about your case? Learn how to create a USCIS online account to stay informed.
After You File
Once we receive your Form I-130, you will receive a:
- Receipt notice confirming we received your form;
- Biometric services notice, if applicable;
- Notice to appear for an interview, if required; and
- Notice of our decision.
Forms and Fees
- Form I-130 filing fee
- Use our Fee Calculator to help determine your fee.
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