Reviewed July 2026
Immigration Legal Services

Petition for your family

Peticiones familiares

If you are a U.S. citizen (USC) or a lawful permanent resident (LPR), you may be able to petition for your spouse, your children, your parents, or your siblings to join you. The process can be long, but the path is real. IHF helps families file family petitions from the first form to the final approval. In English or Spanish.

Schedule an eligibility consultation Call 702-889-4431
Sliding-scale fees
Who it's for
U.S. citizens and LPRs Petitioning for spouse, child, parent, or sibling
Typical timeline
12 to 18 months Immediate relatives; longer for capped categories
IHF cost
Sliding-scale fees Sliding scale plus USCIS fees may apply

Petition information

U.S. citizens (USC) and lawful permanent residents (LPR) can file an I-130 petition for their family members. The process starts with Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative, which establishes the family relationship and starts the case with USCIS.

For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21), there is no annual cap and a case moves on USCIS processing timelines. For everyone else, including all categories filed by permanent residents, an annual visa cap applies and waits can be measured in years.

You may be able to petition for a close relative if you meet the requirements below. If you are unsure if you qualify, schedule an eligibility consultation for more information.

Who qualifies

  • You are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
  • Your relative is your spouse, child, parent, or sibling (depending on your status).
  • You can show proof of the family relationship (marriage, birth, or adoption records).
  • You can show proof of your own status (passport, naturalization certificate, or green card).
  • You meet the income requirements to sponsor your relative (Form I-864).
  • You are willing to commit to the financial sponsorship that comes with the petition.

How IHF helps, step by step

  1. 1

    Eligibility Consultation

    Our immigration attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives review your case and determine if you meet the petition requirements. Please bring your most recent tax records; we use them to confirm eligibility for reduced fees.

  2. 2

    Form preparation

    IHF staff will prepare the forms, including any additional documentation.

  3. 3

    Supporting evidence

    We help you prepare and review the evidence required to verify the relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary.

  4. 4

    Filing and follow-up

    We submit online or on paper, track receipts, and help you respond to USCIS Requests for Evidence.

  5. 5

    Next-step support

    When your beneficiary is ready for the next step, we can help with adjustment of status or consular processing.

Common questions

Petition for your family, answered

What does IHF cost?
We do an eligibility screening to understand your situation before any fees are set. We use a sliding-scale fee based on your income. We tell you the cost upfront and help you apply for a USCIS fee waiver if you qualify.
Can my U.S. citizen child petition for me?
Yes, you may qualify for a petition however you must schedule an appointment with an attorney or DOJ accredited representative to assure your eligibility before filing.
How long is the wait for a sibling?
Sibling petitions are subject to an annual cap and waits can be many years. The exact wait depends on your sibling's country of birth. We will show you the current USCIS Visa Bulletin at your consultation so you can plan honestly.
Sources

Where this information comes from

Direct links to government and authoritative sources we used. If you spot something out of date, email info@immigrantfoundation.org.

  1. USCIS - Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative Family petition form
  2. USCIS - Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Sponsor income requirements
  3. State Department - Visa Bulletin Monthly priority-date updates
  4. USCIS - Family of U.S. Citizens Eligibility categories
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