I am a permanent resident. How do I help my relative become one?

A permanent resident (green card holder) can file a petition for their:

• Husband or wife; and 
• Unmarried child(ren), of any age.

File a relative petition with the "Form I-130."  The petition puts your relative in a line for a visa number, based on the date you filed. The lines are organized by categories, based on the type of family relationship and where someone is from. 

When your relative reaches the front of the line, the U.S. Department of State contacts them to apply for an immigrant visa. Your relative may wait for years. To learn more about how long the wait can be, check the “Visa Bulletins” on the State Department’s website.

You get government forms for free, including the I-130. (But you pay the government fee when you file the form.) For updated information about the I-130, go to: www.uscis.gov/i-130 

For more information about applying for a family member, click "Learn more."  Note that the government flyer linked below may have outdated fees.