If you are a lawful permanent resident or a citizen of the United States and would like to help an eligible relative immigrate to the country and get a Green Card, submitting a form I-130 is among the first things you will have to do. Form I-130 establishes the relationship between you and your relative that qualifies them to immigrate to the country.
To file the form online, you need to create a USCIS account. It will be useful in tracking the status of your form, paying any required fees online and communicating with USCIS when any requests are made. You can also fill in Form I-130 by traditional mail.
What documents do you need to provide?
Since the essence of Form I-130 is to prove the existence of a relationship between you and your relative, the documents you provide should point to that. For instance, a birth or marriage certificate can show a clear link between you and the relative you intend to sponsor. Proof of any name changes may also be required where applicable.
You also need to provide evidence of your US citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, among other documents. It is advisable to get everything right with the paperwork since any inaccurate or incomplete information can delay the whole process.
Approval of Form I-130 is not the end
While getting your Form I-130 approved is good news, it is not the end of the process to get your relative to the country. Depending on your relationship with your relative and your residence status, there are other stages they will have to get through.
Preparing yourself to sponsor a relative
It is important that you both have the required documentation before kick-starting the process to avoid hitting any snags. Additionally, learning more about what to expect in the whole process will ensure that you are well ahead of any eventuality.