What's next after I-130 is approved?
Asked by: Prof. May Kemmer | Last update: February 20, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (58 votes)
After your I-130 petition is approved, the next steps depend on if the beneficiary is in the U.S. or abroad; if abroad, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing (DS-260, Affidavit of Support, interview), while if in the U.S., they might adjust status with Form I-485 if an immigrant visa is immediately available (immediate relatives always have one available).
How long after your I-130 is approved will you get an interview?
After I-130 approval, the timeline to interview varies greatly, but generally involves 1-2 months for transfer to the National Visa Center (NVC), several months for NVC processing (fees, documents), and then waiting for an interview slot at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, which can range from weeks to over a year, depending on visa availability, location, and consulate workload. Immediate relatives (spouses, minor children, parents of U.S. citizens) often have faster processing, while family preference categories (F1, F2, etc.) must wait for a visa number to become available via the Visa Bulletin.
What comes after the I-130 form?
If you are living abroad, the next step after I-130 approval is consular processing. This process takes place through the National Visa Center (NVC) and the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
Do you get a green card after I-130?
No, I-130 approval doesn't mean an automatic green card; it's just the first step, confirming the genuine family relationship, but the foreign relative still needs to apply for the green card via Form I-485 (if in the U.S.) or consular processing (if abroad) and must be personally admissible, with visa availability depending on their category (immediate relatives have immediate availability, others wait).
How many days to receive a green card after approval?
After approval, a green card typically arrives within a few weeks, often 2-4 weeks, but can take up to 90 days or even longer due to production backlogs, postal issues, or address errors; USCIS first sends an approval notice, then produces the card, which is mailed via USPS. You can track production status online and follow up with USCIS if it exceeds 90 days, especially since an I-551 stamp in your passport can serve as temporary proof of status.
My I-130 family Petition is Approved. What Happens Next?
How do I know if my green card is mailed?
To check if your green card has been mailed, sign into your USCIS online account for automatic updates and the USPS tracking number, use the USCIS Case Status Online tool with your receipt number, or sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to see mail images. USCIS sends these cards via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation, so the tracking number is key to confirming mailing and delivery.
What happens after your case is approved by USCIS?
After USCIS approval, your case typically moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing (overseas interview) or, if eligible, you can adjust status in the U.S.; both paths involve paying fees, submitting documents (DS-260, Affidavit of Support), attending a medical exam, and a final interview, leading to a visa/Green Card if approved.
Which visa gets a green card faster?
The O-1 visa offers a faster, sponsor-based entry to the U.S. for individuals with extraordinary ability, while the EB-1A Green Card provides a self-petitioned path to permanent residency and long-term stability.
How long is an I-130 approval valid?
How Long Is The Validity Of An Approved I-130? Upon receiving approval, your petition contributes to your position on the Visa waiting list. As long as the qualifying relationship between the petitioner and beneficiary is upheld, the approved I-130 petition remains valid.
What is the difference between I-130 and i485?
The I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) establishes a qualifying family relationship for immigration, while the I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) is the actual green card application, granting lawful residency in the U.S.; the I-130 proves who you are to the U.S. citizen/LPR, and the I-485 proves you (the foreign relative) are admissible to become a permanent resident, with I-130 approval generally required before I-485 can be granted, though they can often be filed together (concurrently) in immediate relative cases.
What are the steps after I-130 is approved?
After an I-130 is approved, the next step depends on if your relative is in the U.S. or abroad: if in the U.S., they might file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status); if abroad, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC) for fee payments, document submission (including Affidavit of Support), and scheduling a consular interview for an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.
Is issued the same as approved?
✔ Approved = decision made that you qualify. ✔ Issued = visa printed & in your passport.
Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?
Practically speaking, this fee only applies to employers who use an H-1B visa petition to bring a foreign national to the United States. Current employers of H-1 workers who wish to continue to employ this worker need not worry about this fee, and can instead file an extension of status petition.
How long does it take to get a visa after I-130 approval?
Approximately 12 Months to 20+ Years (Depending on Category)
That generally translates into a wait time after filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
Can I travel immediately after getting a green card?
You can travel outside the U.S. immediately after getting your green card, but you should be careful. Remember the rules on extended absences, preserving your citizenship, and maintaining a bond with the U.S.
What is the 90-day rule for I-130?
To solve that problem, USCIS uses the 90-day rule, which states that temporary visa holders who marry or apply for a green card within 90 days of arriving in the United States are automatically presumed to have misrepresented their original intentions.
What happens if I-130 gets approved?
Once USCIS approves your I-130 petition, it's not the end of the process. Your relative still needs to apply for a green card. Here's what typically happens next: Immediate Relatives: If your relative is your spouse, parent, or unmarried child under 21 years old, they are considered a close family member.
How long after I-130 approval to interview 2025?
As of 2025, the F2A category has significant backlogs. The visa bulletin shows dates from September 2022 are just becoming current. So, after USCIS approves your I-130, expect another 2-3 years until a visa is available. Then, final processing takes 6-12 more months.
How long does it take to get a passport after visa approval?
If a visa application is approved during a visa interview, the average processing time is 3 – 5 working days for processing and 5 working days for delivery.
Which countries can I travel with a green card?
A U.S. Green Card allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to several countries, especially in the Americas (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Caribbean islands) and parts of Asia and Europe (Bahamas, Georgia, Montenegro, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, UAE), but you still need your passport and must check each country's specific rules, as Schengen countries usually require a visa based on citizenship, not residency. Always carry your valid Green Card and passport, and keep trips shorter than six months to avoid issues with abandoning your U.S. residency, notes the USCIS.
Can I get a visa in 3 days?
Application timeline
All visas, permits and passes are approved within two (2) to three (3) working days, except in special circumstances where more documents and/or verification may be required. However, applicants are advised to apply at least five (5) working days before their intended date of travel.
Can I get a green card in 3 months?
While it generally takes about two years to obtain a green card, in some cases, it is possible to obtain permanent residency status in less than 90 days. It depends on your individual status. In specific emergencies, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may expedite green card applications.
What is next after my case was approved in I-130?
After an I-130 is approved, the next step depends on if your relative is in the U.S. or abroad: if in the U.S., they might file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status); if abroad, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC) for fee payments, document submission (including Affidavit of Support), and scheduling a consular interview for an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.
How many days to get a green card after approval?
After approval, a green card typically arrives within a few weeks, often 2-4 weeks, but can take up to 90 days or even longer due to production backlogs, postal issues, or address errors; USCIS first sends an approval notice, then produces the card, which is mailed via USPS. You can track production status online and follow up with USCIS if it exceeds 90 days, especially since an I-551 stamp in your passport can serve as temporary proof of status.
How do you know when USCIS is checking your case?
You know USCIS is reviewing your case primarily through their Case Status Online tool using your receipt number, which updates to show statuses like "Actively Reviewed" when an officer accesses your file, or by receiving physical/electronic notices (like RFEs, interview notices, or final decisions). Creating a USCIS online account also provides electronic notifications, and you can check processing times and submit inquiries if your case is outside normal ranges.