Updated August 2026

Form I-130 Processing Time 2026

Petition for Alien Relative

The I-130 is filed by a US citizen or green card holder to establish a qualifying family relationship with a foreign national relative.

Current national metric

12.9 months median

USCIS publishes this national median for immediate-relative I-130 petitions, not a range. It must not be applied to preference-family categories.

Processing time by service center

Service Center	Receipt Prefix	Typical Range
CSC	WAC	Official tool required	Details →
VSC	EAC	Official tool required	Details →
NSC	LIN	Official tool required	Details →
TSC	SRC	Official tool required	Details →
NBC	MSC	Official tool required	Details →
PSC	YSC	Official tool required	Details →

* GreenLight does not apply national aggregates to individual service centers. Exact times vary by case type, category, and workload. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times for your specific case.

How to check your Form I-130 case status

Find your receipt number on Form I-797C (Notice of Action). It starts with 3 letters (WAC, EAC, LIN, SRC, MSC, or IOE) followed by numbers.
Visit my.uscis.gov and enter your receipt number in the case status tool.
Got a confusing status message? Paste it into GreenLight's decoder for a plain-English explanation.
Check the official processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times to see if your case is outside normal time.

Community dataView recent anonymous Form I-130 status-change activity when enough observations are available.Form guideForm I-130 instructions, checklist, and filing tips.

Frequently asked questions

How long does I-130 take in 2026?+

The refreshed USCIS national median for immediate-relative I-130 petitions is 12.9 months. This is a median, not a range, and it does not describe preference-family categories. Check the exact petition category on the USCIS processing-times page.

What happens after I-130 is approved?+

For immediate relatives: USCIS transfers to NVC, then consular processing or I-485 filing. For preference categories: NVC holds the case until a visa number becomes available (can take years).

Spouse of US citizen: how long for a green card?+

Spouse timelines vary sharply by filing path and USCIS category. The national median shown here applies only to immediate-relative petitions. Check the official USCIS selector for the exact petition category, and account separately for I-485 adjustment or NVC consular processing.

Can I check my I-130 status online?+

Yes at my.uscis.gov using your receipt number. GreenLight explains what status messages like 'Case Was Transferred' or 'Case Is Being Actively Reviewed' actually mean.

Does my I-130 expire?+

No. An approved I-130 does not expire. However, circumstances can change: divorces, the petitioner's death, or the beneficiary aging out can affect eligibility.

Related forms

Form I-485 Processing Time →

Got a USCIS status update on your Form I-130? Paste it in and we'll explain what it means in plain English.

Decode your status message →

GreenLight is an independent tool and is NOT affiliated with USCIS, DHS, or any US government agency. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Always verify at my.uscis.gov.