Spouse Petition · Form I-130
Your spouse is abroad. This is how you begin.
Filing Form I-130 is the official first step toward bringing your spouse to the United States permanently. CitizenKit makes sure your petition is correct, complete, and ready to mail — so nothing delays the road ahead.
- Built on official USCIS.gov guidance
- Plain-language, step-by-step
- For U.S. citizens and permanent residents
- No attorney fees required
Eligibility
Confirm your situation before you begin
- ✓
You are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident in the United States
Both citizens and Green Card holders can file an I-130 for a spouse, but the timelines differ significantly.
- ✓
You are legally married to your spouse
The marriage must be valid and legally recognized. It cannot be a proxy marriage, unless consummated.
- ✓
Your spouse is currently living outside the United States
This kit is for consular processing — your spouse will apply for their immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
- ✓
Your marriage is genuine
USCIS requires evidence of a bona fide marriage — not one entered into solely for immigration purposes.
The Process
From petition to permanent residency
- 1
You File the I-130 + I-130A with USCIS
You file Form I-130 as the petitioner, establishing your status and your spousal relationship. Because this is a spousal petition, you also include Form I-130A — a required supplement completed with information about your spouse. Both forms are in your CitizenKit packet, organized and ready to mail.
- 2
Include Supporting Evidence of Your Marriage
USCIS requires documents — not just forms. Your packet must include proof of your status, your marriage certificate, photos together, evidence of a shared life, and more. CitizenKit provides a personalized document checklist so nothing is missing before you mail.
- 3
USCIS Reviews & Approves Your Petition
USCIS reviews your petition and supporting documents. You receive an I-797 receipt notice first, then an approval notice. For U.S. citizen petitioners, processing typically takes 10–14 months. For permanent residents, approval locks in your spouse's priority date.
After filing — processing takes 10–14 months for USC petitioners.
- 4
Case Transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC)
USCIS forwards your approved petition to the NVC. For U.S. citizen petitioners, this begins right away. For permanent residents, the NVC holds the case until a visa in the F-2A category becomes available and the priority date is current.
After USCIS approval.
- 5
Immigrant Visa Interview at a US Embassy or Consulate
Once the NVC finishes, your spouse is scheduled for an in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest them. A consular officer reviews the case. If approved, your spouse receives a CR-1 or IR-1 immigrant visa.
After NVC processing.
- 6
Your Spouse Arrives in the US as a Permanent Resident
Your spouse travels to the United States using their immigrant visa and is admitted as a lawful permanent resident upon entry. Their physical Green Card is mailed to your home address within a few weeks.
After consular approval.
Supporting Documents
What you need to include with your petition
- ✓Proof of your US citizenship or permanent resident status
- ✓Marriage certificate (official government-issued, with certified translation if foreign)
- ✓Your spouse's passport biographical page
- ✓Passport-style photos (one for each person, USCIS-compliant)
- ✓Evidence of a genuine marriage (photos, communication records, visit history, joint finances)
- ✓Divorce decrees or death certificates for any prior marriages (with translations)
- ✓Filing fee (current USCIS fee — verify at uscis.gov/fees)
The CitizenKit
One shot to get this right. Make it count.
Tailored to Your Status — USC or LPR
The questionnaire identifies whether you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and adjusts the packet accordingly, including the correct processing times and priority date guidance.
Both Required Forms, Pre-Filled
Form I-130 and Form I-130A — both populated from your answers and ready to print, sign, and mail.
Personalized Evidence Checklist
A tailored list of every document you need to prove your relationship and status — organized for the specific type of petition you are filing.
Organized, Mail-Ready Packet
Cover sheet, forms, document checklist, sign-here guide, and the correct USCIS mailing address — all in one packet.
Sign-Here Guide for Both of You
Clear indication of which pages each person signs and which sections each person completes, so nothing is accidentally left blank.
Post-Approval Roadmap
After USCIS approves the I-130, what happens next? CitizenKit includes a guide to the NVC stage, the I-864, DS-260, and consular interview.
FAQ
Common questions about the spousal I-130
- What is the difference between the I-130 and the full Green Card?
- The I-130 is the first step — a petition that establishes your relationship and requests a visa number for your spouse. It is not the Green Card itself. After USCIS approves the I-130, your spouse will go through the National Visa Center (NVC) process and then attend a consular interview abroad to receive their immigrant visa and Green Card upon entry.
- How long does the I-130 spousal petition take?
- For U.S. citizen petitioners, USCIS I-130 processing typically takes 10–14 months. Lawful permanent residents face a longer wait because spousal petitions from LPRs fall into the F-2A preference category, which has annual limits. The NVC and consular interview stages add additional time after USCIS approval.
- What is Form I-130A and is it in this kit?
- Form I-130A is a required supplement for spousal petitions. It collects additional biographical information from the beneficiary spouse. Yes — this kit includes both Form I-130 and Form I-130A, pre-filled from your answers.
- What is the National Visa Center (NVC) and what do they do?
- After USCIS approves your I-130, the case transfers to the NVC. The NVC collects additional documents — including your Affidavit of Support (I-864) and your spouse's DS-260 immigrant visa application. Once the NVC is satisfied, they schedule your spouse's consular interview. CitizenKit includes a post-approval roadmap explaining the NVC stage.
- Can my spouse travel to the US while the I-130 is pending?
- Filing an I-130 does not grant your spouse any travel authorization or visa. Your spouse should be cautious about entering the US on a nonimmigrant visa (such as a tourist visa) with an approved or pending I-130, as it may create issues regarding immigrant intent. Consult an immigration attorney before making any travel plans.
Ready to begin the journey?
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