I-130 Processing Time 2026
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: how long USCIS takes, from its own quarterly data for Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3).
National median
Half of the cases USCIS completed in Apr–Jun 2026 took this long or less (national median). Your case may differ: offices and individual cases vary. Not legal advice.
Trend by quarter
National median in months for each USCIS fiscal-year quarter we have the report for (FY = October–September). “n/a” = USCIS no longer hosts that quarter’s report.
| Quarter | Immediate relative (spouse, parent, child under 21 of a US citizen) | All other relatives (preference categories) |
|---|---|---|
| FY26 Q3 Apr–Jun 2026 | 13.0 | 43.3 |
| FY26 Q2 Jan–Mar 2026 | 12.5 | 39.4 |
| FY26 Q1 Oct–Dec 2025 | — | — |
| FY25 Q4 Jul–Sep 2025 | 13.7 | 38.0 |
Track your own case
Paste your receipt number to see which office has it, how old it is compared with this median, and the next steps. Free; without an account your cases stay in your browser.
Open the case tracker →What is Form I-130?
Form I-130 is filed by a US citizen or green card holder to establish a qualifying family relationship with a relative who wants to immigrate. It is the first step of most family-based green card cases.
USCIS reports immediate relatives of US citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21, parents) separately from all other relatives in the preference categories.
What affects the processing time
- Relationship category: immediate relative or a preference category (F1–F4).
- Evidence of the relationship (and, for spouses, that the marriage is genuine).
- Whether USCIS asks for an interview.
- Requests for Evidence (RFE): the clock keeps running while you gather and mail the response, and the case waits for it.
- Which office has the case and how many cases are pending there; offices can differ a lot from the national median.
Typical steps
- Receipt notice (I-797C)USCIS accepts the filing and mails/posts a receipt with your receipt number and received date.uscis.gov
- Request for Evidence (if needed)USCIS may ask for more documents. Answer by the deadline on the notice.
- Interview (sometimes)USCIS may interview the petitioner and beneficiary.uscis.gov
- DecisionApproval or denial. Denials can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals.uscis.gov
- Next: consular processing or I-485If the relative is abroad the case goes to the State Department (NVC); if in the US and eligible, they adjust status.uscis.gov
FAQ
How long does I-130 take in 2026?
In USCIS’s latest quarterly report (Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3)) the national median for I-130 was Immediate relative (spouse, parent, child under 21 of a US citizen): 13.0 months; All other relatives (preference categories): 43.3 months. Half of the cases completed in that quarter took longer, and your office may be faster or slower.
After I-130 approval, how long until the green card?
It depends on the category. Immediate relatives are not subject to annual limits. Preference categories wait for a visa number (Visa Bulletin), then go through the National Visa Center and a consulate, or file I-485 if in the US and eligible.
My case is taking longer than the median. What can I do?
Look up your form and office on USCIS’s official processing-times page. If your receipt date is earlier than the “receipt date for a case inquiry” it shows, you can ask USCIS about the case through e-Request. Answer any notices on time, and consider an attorney if something looks wrong.
Source
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, “Number of Service-wide Forms By Quarter, Form Status, and Processing Time”, Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3), data queried 7/2026 (quarterly_all_forms_fy2026_q3_v1.xlsx).
- Download the report (uscis.gov)
- USCIS immigration and citizenship data
- Office-level processing times (egov.uscis.gov)
This page is rebuilt automatically when USCIS publishes a new quarter.