We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is a Petition for Alien Relative?

By Christina Edwards
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Form I-130 of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is more commonly referred to as a petition for alien relative. This form is one of the first steps that a United States citizen or permanent resident must take to help his relatives join him in the United States. It can be obtained from the USCIS, and must then be sent, along with the proper fees and documentation, to the correct address. After the petition has been approved, the relative will have the chance to apply for an immigration visa, or for status as a legal permanent resident of the United States.

The USCIS website has information for people trying to become a citizen of the United States or bring their families to the country. A copy of a petition for alien relative can be downloaded from this website. A separate petition is necessary for each alien relative. A United States citizen can file a petition for alien relative for his parents, children, spouse, sibling, or fiance. Permanent residents of the United States can file a petition for their spouses and unmarried children.

There are a number of sections on a petition for alien relative, and each section must be filled out completely and correctly. Failure to do so can result in the delay or rejection of a petition. In this form, the US citizen or permanent resident is referred to as the petitioner, and the relative is referred to as the beneficiary. One of the first sections of a petition for alien relative asks for the relationship of the beneficiary to the petitioner.

The next sections ask for personal information about the petitioner as well as the beneficiary. Names, including aliases or maiden name, and addresses should be filled out. Next, the form asks for other important information about both parties, including birth information, marital status, and citizenship status information. The petition also asks if the beneficiary has ever been in the united States and where she intends to live.

There is a separate section on a petition for alien relative that asks if the petitioner if they have ever filed a petition before. This allows the USCIS to investigate individuals who may be using marriage to help others establish citizenship. It also asks for the names of any other relatives for whom he is petitioning, which allows these applications to be filed together.

After the petition for alien relative is filled out, it must be signed and dated. It must then be sent to the appropriate address with the proper fees and documentation, which can include things such as birth certificates or marriage licenses. The correct address and fees can be found on the USCIS website.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.