U.S. family green card CRM: I-130 petitions, priority dates and adjustment in one place
Manage immediate-relative and family-preference cases from the I-130 petition to the green card: petitioner and beneficiary portals, Affidavit of Support evidence, Visa Bulletin priority-date tracking and interview preparation.
What practitioners need to know in 2026
- Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, unmarried children under 21, parents) are not subject to annual caps; preference categories wait for a current priority date.
- Check the monthly Visa Bulletin for each preference category and chargeability country before advising on timing.
- The I-864 Affidavit of Support needs the sponsor's income evidence; a joint sponsor may be required.
DHS final rule (published Dec 29, 2025, effective Feb 27, 2026) replaces the random lottery with selection weighted by OEWS wage level: Level IV x4, III x3, II x2, I x1, from the FY 2027 season.
Official sourceA Massachusetts federal court vacated the guidance on June 8, 2026 and the First Circuit denied a stay on July 24, 2026; USCIS says it is complying while litigation continues.
Official sourceDHS proposed a new fee on Aug 24, 2026 for cap-subject H-1B petitions. It is a proposal only, not yet final; monitor the Federal Register.
Official sourceEB and family preference cases depend on final action and dates-for-filing charts by chargeability country.
Official sourceProcess and documents
Family-Based Green Card (I-130)
Spouses, children, parents and siblings of U.S. citizens / LPRs
- 1I-130 petition by citizen / LPR relative
- 2Priority date check (preference categories)
- 3NVC documents or I-485 adjustment
- 4Interview and green card
- Valid passport (all pages)
- Passport-style photo (country specification)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage / relationship certificate (if applicable)
- Petitioner's U.S. citizenship / LPR proof
- Affidavit of Support (I-864) and tax returns
- Bona fide relationship evidence
- Police certificates (every country lived 12+ months)
- Immigration medical exam (panel physician)
U.S. family green card compared with other options
| Visa | Best for | Sponsor / offer needed | Path to permanent residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family-Based Green Card (I-130) | Spouses, children, parents and siblings of U.S. citizens / LPRs | Yes, family petitioner | Yes, green card |
| EB-2 National Interest Waiver | Advanced-degree or exceptional-ability professionals | No, self-petition | Yes, green card |
| H-1B Specialty Occupation | Degree-holding professionals with a U.S. employer | Yes, U.S. employer petition | Dual intent; often leads to EB green card |
Frequently asked questions
Who can a U.S. citizen sponsor for a green card?+
Spouses, children, parents (if the citizen is 21 or older) and siblings (if 21 or older). Permanent residents can sponsor spouses and unmarried children. Confirm current categories on uscis.gov.
What is a priority date?+
The date USCIS receives the I-130. Preference-category applicants can move forward only when their priority date is current in the Department of State Visa Bulletin.
Can the petitioner and the beneficiary both upload documents?+
Yes. Each party gets their own secure portal checklist on the shared case, managed by the attorney or accredited representative.
General information for practitioners, not legal advice. No government-form autofill or submission outside Canada.