Child Petition · Form I-130
Sponsor your child for a permanent life here.
U.S. citizens and Green Card holders can petition for a child living abroad using Form I-130. Your child's visa category depends on your status and their age and marital status. CitizenKit identifies the right path and prepares your complete packet.
- Built on official USCIS.gov guidance
- Plain-language, step-by-step
- Multiple visa categories explained
- No attorney fees required
Eligibility
Who this kit is designed for
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You are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
Both citizens and Green Card holders can petition for a child. Your status determines the visa category and timeline.
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You have a qualifying parent-child relationship
Biological, stepchild (relationship formed before age 18), or adopted (adoption finalized before age 16 with custody requirements met).
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Your child is living outside the United States
This kit is for consular processing. If your child is inside the US, the Adjustment of Status path may be more appropriate.
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You can document the parent-child relationship
Birth certificate, adoption decree, or marriage certificate (for stepchild) — CitizenKit's checklist tells you exactly what you need.
The Process
From petition to permanent residency
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You Prepare and Mail the I-130 Petition
You file Form I-130 to establish the parent-child relationship and your status as U.S. citizen or Green Card holder. CitizenKit tailors the petition to your specific category based on your answers. The complete packet is organized in USCIS order and ready to mail.
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Gather and Organize Supporting Documents
Along with the form, USCIS requires documents proving the parent-child relationship and your status. CitizenKit provides a personalized checklist based on your specific situation — relationship type, your status, and your child's visa category.
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USCIS Reviews & Approves Your Petition
USCIS issues a receipt notice confirming your I-130 filing, then reviews and approves your petition. Processing time depends on your category — immediate relative children can expect 17–24 months, while family preference categories take longer.
After filing.
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Case Moves to the National Visa Center (NVC)
USCIS forwards your approved petition to the NVC. For immediate relative children, this begins right away. For family preference categories, the NVC may hold the case until the priority date approaches.
After USCIS approval.
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Immigrant Visa Interview at a US Embassy
Your child is scheduled for an immigrant visa interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A consular officer reviews the petition, the parent-child relationship, and your child's admissibility. If approved, your child receives an immigrant visa.
After priority date is current (if applicable).
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Your Child Arrives as a Permanent Resident
Your child travels to the United States using their immigrant visa and is admitted as a lawful permanent resident upon entry. Their Green Card is mailed within weeks — no conditional period for children.
After consular approval.
The CitizenKit
Your complete petition packet, ready to mail.
Category Identification
The questionnaire determines exactly which visa category applies to your child — no guessing about IR-2, F1, F2A, or F2B.
I-130 Pre-Filled and Correct
Filled from your answers with the correct category clearly marked and the right filing instructions for your situation.
Relationship-Specific Document Checklist
Personalized for biological, stepchild, or adoptive relationship — so the right documents are in your packet.
Organized, Mail-Ready Packet
Cover sheet, forms, checklist, sign-here guide, and the correct USCIS mailing address — all in one packet.
Comprehensive Filing Instructions
Step-by-step guidance for finalizing, signing, organizing, and mailing your petition to USCIS.
Post-Approval Roadmap
A guide to the NVC stage, DS-260 immigrant visa application, Affidavit of Support, consular interview, and arrival.
FAQ
Common questions about the child I-130
- What visa category will my child be in?
- The category depends on two things: your status (US citizen or LPR) and your child's status (under 21 and unmarried, 21+ and unmarried, or married). U.S. citizen children under 21 and unmarried are immediate relatives (no wait). U.S. citizen children 21+ fall into F1. LPR children under 21 fall into F2A, and unmarried children 21+ fall into F2B. CitizenKit's questionnaire identifies the right category for your situation.
- How long will the process take?
- Processing time depends heavily on the visa category. Immediate relative children (U.S. citizen parents, child under 21 and unmarried) wait approximately 17–24 months for USCIS processing plus NVC and consular time. Family preference categories (F1, F2A, F2B) can take several years or more depending on the country of birth. CitizenKit provides category-specific guidance on what to expect.
- Can I petition for a stepchild or adopted child?
- Yes. Stepchildren qualify if the marriage that created the step relationship occurred before the child's 18th birthday. Adopted children qualify if the adoption was finalized before the child's 16th birthday and certain custody and residence requirements were met. CitizenKit's document checklist is tailored to your specific relationship type.
- What is the National Visa Center (NVC) and what happens there?
- After USCIS approves your I-130, the case transfers to the NVC. The NVC collects the immigrant visa fees, your Affidavit of Support (I-864), and your child's DS-260 immigrant visa application. For immediate relatives, this begins right away. For preference category children, the NVC may hold the case until the priority date is current. CitizenKit includes a post-approval roadmap for the NVC stage.
- What if my child turns 21 before the process is complete?
- This is called "aging out" and it can change your child's visa category. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) provides some protection in certain situations, but this is a legally complex area. If aging out is a concern, CitizenKit recommends consulting a qualified immigration attorney before filing.
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