How long USCIS is taking to decide I-130 petitions for spouses, parents, children and siblings, from real cases we tracked from receipt to decision. Updated every day.
Based on 242 I-130 cases decided in the last 12 months, measured from the USCIS received date. USCIS national median, FY2026 for I-130: 12.8 months (immediate relatives).
Median time from receipt to decision for I-130 cases decided in each of the last six full months. Months with fewer than 10 decided cases are left out.
| Decided in | Half decided within | Bar | Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | 21.2 months | 11 |
Enter the 13-character receipt number from your receipt notice to see your current status, what it means and your estimated decision date.
Use the receipt number from your I-130 receipt notice (Form I-797C). If you filed online it starts with IOE. Free, no sign-up.
Want automatic updates? Get alerts on WhatsApp after you check.
Not sure what a status means? See every USCIS case status explained. Following one case over months? The I-130 tracker explains each stage.
USCIS's published median covers immediate relatives of US citizens: spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21. Petitions in the preference categories (adult or married children of citizens, siblings, and spouses and children of green card holders) often take considerably longer, and even once approved they wait for the priority date to become current in the Visa Bulletin.
When the relative is already in the US and can adjust status, the I-130 is often filed together with the I-485 and decided by the local field office along with the green card application, sometimes at the interview. A standalone I-130 for a relative abroad is decided first and then sent to the National Visa Center.
USCIS moves I-130s between service centers and field offices to balance workload, so a status like "Case Was Transferred" is common and doesn't mean anything is wrong. It does mean the new office's backlog now sets the pace.
For marriage-based petitions, thin evidence that the marriage is real (joint finances, lease, photos over time) is the most common reason for a Request for Evidence, and a response can add months. Including Form I-130A for the spouse and complete civil documents up front avoids the most avoidable delays.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For decisions about your own case, check USCIS's current guidance or talk to an immigration attorney.
Other forms: I-129F · I-751 · I-730 · N-400 · N-600 · N-600K · I-539 · I-821 · I-129 · I-140 · I-526E · I-829 · I-360 · I-918 · I-914 · I-817 · I-600A · I-600 · I-800A · I-800 · I-90 · N-565 · I-102 · I-824
All USCIS processing timesHalf of the 242 I-130 cases we tracked to a decision in the last 12 months were decided within 14.4 months, and the middle half took between 13.1 months and 21.5 months. USCIS's published national median for I-130 is 12.8 months (immediate relatives).
If your relative is abroad, USCIS sends the approved petition to the National Visa Center, which collects fees, the DS-260 and the Affidavit of Support before a consulate schedules the visa interview. If an I-485 was filed with it, the green card application continues at USCIS. In preference categories, the next step only starts once the priority date is current.
No. An approved I-130 only establishes the family relationship. The right to live and work in the US comes with the green card or immigrant visa that follows.
Premium processing isn't available for I-130. USCIS considers expedite requests only for specific reasons, such as severe financial loss, an urgent humanitarian situation or a clear USCIS error, and most requests are declined. Confirm the details for your case with USCIS or an immigration attorney.
No. Transfers are routine workload balancing. Your receipt number stays the same, and you can keep checking it here. Expect the timeline to follow the new office's pace.
Ours come from real I-130 cases we tracked from the day USCIS received them to the day they were approved or denied, over the last 12 months. USCIS's median covers its whole fiscal year and, for some forms, only one category. Neither predicts a single case exactly: your service center or field office, your category and any Request for Evidence matter more.
Prefer a quick look? Check any USCIS case status for free.