Your I-130 petition just got approved. That's good news, but your relative does not have a green card yet. The approval confirms USCIS recognizes the family relationship. What comes next depends on where your beneficiary lives and which family category you fall under. This guide covers both paths, the fees, and 2026 policy changes that could affect your case.
What I-130 Approval Actually Means (and What It Does Not)
When USCIS approves your Form I-130, it means the agency has verified the qualifying family relationship (USCIS I-130 Official Page). That is it.
What I-130 approval does not do:
- It does not grant your beneficiary any immigration status
- It does not authorize your beneficiary to work in the U.S.
- It does not authorize your beneficiary to travel to the U.S.
- It does not guarantee a green card
From USCIS: "The filing or approval of this petition does not give your relative any immigration status or benefit" (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part B, Ch. 5).
When your I-130 is approved, you receive a Form I-797, Notice of Action. This document contains your priority date, which is the date USCIS originally received your I-130 petition. This is your place in line for a visa number. Keep this notice — you will need the priority date throughout the process.
Your priority date and Alien Registration Number (A-Number) both appear on the I-797. You will use both in future filings.
Your Two Paths Forward: Which One Applies to You?
After I-130 approval, your case follows one of two routes based on what the petitioner indicated on the I-130 and where the beneficiary lives:
Consular Processing applies when the beneficiary is outside the United States. USCIS forwards the approved petition to the National Visa Center (NVC), which is part of the State Department. The beneficiary will eventually attend an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Adjustment of Status applies when the beneficiary is already inside the United States with a lawful entry. USCIS retains the approved petition and the beneficiary files Form I-485 to adjust to permanent resident status without leaving the country.
Before you go further, you also need to understand whether your beneficiary is an immediate relative or in a preference category, because this determines how long they wait for a visa number.
| Category | Who Qualifies | Visa Wait |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Relative (IR) | Spouse of U.S. citizen, unmarried child under 21 of U.S. citizen, parent of U.S. citizen (petitioner must be 21+) | None. Always available |
| F1 | Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens | 7 to 15+ years |
| F2A | Spouses and minor children of green card holders | About 2 years |
| F2B | Unmarried adult children (21+) of green card holders | 5 to 10+ years |
| F3 | Married children of U.S. citizens | 10 to 15+ years |
| F4 | Siblings of adult U.S. citizens | 13 to 23+ years |
Immediate relatives can move to the next step right away. Preference category beneficiaries must wait until a visa number becomes available, which you track through the Visa Bulletin.
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Path 1: Consular Processing (Beneficiary Outside the U.S.)
If your beneficiary is abroad, USCIS automatically forwards the approved I-130 to the National Visa Center.
Step-by-Step: From NVC to Green Card
1. USCIS sends the petition to NVC (4 to 8 weeks after approval). This transfer is automatic. You do not need to do anything.
2. NVC creates a case and sends a Welcome Letter (about 11 to 20 days after receiving the file). The letter arrives by email or mail and includes your NVC Case Number and Invoice ID. You will need both to log in to the CEAC portal at ceac.state.gov (State Department Immigrant Visa Process).
3. Submit DS-261 to designate an agent (about 3 weeks to process). This form tells NVC who will handle communications for the case. Filed online through CEAC at no cost.
4. Pay NVC fees. The Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee is $325 per person, and the Affidavit of Support Review Fee is $120 per case. Both are paid online through CEAC. NVC processing takes about 10 calendar days after payment (State Department Fee Payment FAQs). For guidance on paying government fees, see our guide to how to pay USCIS filing fees.
5. Complete and submit DS-260. The beneficiary fills out the online Immigrant Visa Application on CEAC. NVC reviews it in roughly 2 weeks.
6. Upload supporting documents. These include civil documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances), the I-864 Affidavit of Support with tax returns and financial evidence, and passport-style photos. Check NVC Timeframes for the current review date before relying on any estimate.
7. Medical examination. The beneficiary visits an embassy-approved panel physician before the interview. Cost ranges from $100 to $500+ depending on the country.
8. Consular interview. This is the in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For marriage-based petitions, expect questions about how you met, your relationship history, and daily life together. Interview scheduling depends on the embassy or consulate's capacity after NVC determines the case is documentarily complete, so applicants should check the State Department's IV Scheduling Status Tool for post-specific scheduling status.
9. Visa issued. If approved, the beneficiary receives a sealed visa packet. Do not open it. The immigrant visa is valid for 6 months.
10. Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee ($235). Pay online before traveling to the U.S. This covers green card production (USCIS Immigrant Fee).
11. Enter the U.S. Present the sealed visa packet to CBP at the port of entry. The beneficiary is admitted as a lawful permanent resident.
12. Green card mailed. The physical card arrives at the U.S. address within 2 to 12 weeks. Once it arrives, you can learn what is the green card number and how to locate it.
Consular Processing Fees (2026)
| Fee | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| IV Application Processing | $325 per person | NVC via CEAC |
| Affidavit of Support Review | $120 per case | NVC via CEAC |
| Medical exam (panel physician) | $100 to $500+ | Panel physician |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | $235 per person | USCIS online |
| Total (single applicant, post-approval) | About $780 to $1,180+ |
The I-130 filing fee ($625 online or $675 paper) was already paid at petition filing. The figures above cover only the costs after approval (USCIS Fee Schedule G-1055; State Department Fees).
How Long Does Consular Processing Take?
For immediate relatives, expect roughly 4 to 9 months from I-130 approval to U.S. entry. For preference categories, add the visa wait time on top of that, which can range from about 2 years (F2A) to 23+ years (F4).
As of March 16, 2026, NVC reported that it was creating cases for petitions received from USCIS on March 5, 2026, and reviewing documents submitted on March 10, 2026 (NVC Timeframes).
Path 2: Adjustment of Status (Beneficiary in the U.S.)
If the beneficiary is already in the United States and entered lawfully, they can file Form I-485 to become a permanent resident without leaving the country (USCIS I-485 Official Page).
Step-by-Step: From I-485 to Green Card
1. Confirm visa availability. Immediate relatives can file right away because a visa is always available. Preference category beneficiaries must wait until their priority date is current according to the Visa Bulletin. Check the latest Visa Bulletin analysis to see where your category stands.
2. File Form I-485 ($1,440 for applicants age 14+). This is filed by mail only. There is currently no online filing option for I-485 (USCIS I-485 Page).
3. File Form I-765 for a work permit and Form I-131 for travel authorization (optional but recommended). The I-765 costs $260 when filed with I-485, and the I-131 costs $630. These are now separate fees since the April 2024 USCIS fee rule. If you plan to work or travel while your I-485 is pending, file these forms at the same time as your I-485. You can check your EAD application status once filed.
4. Submit Form I-693 medical exam with your I-485. As of December 2, 2024, the medical exam form must be included at the time of filing. Failure to include it can result in rejection. See a USCIS-designated civil surgeon (not any doctor). Cost: roughly $200 to $500 (USCIS I-693 Validity Change).
5. Attend a biometrics appointment. USCIS may schedule you for fingerprinting at an Application Support Center after filing. For most Form I-485 applicants, there is no separate $85 biometrics fee because USCIS incorporated biometric services costs into the main Form I-485 fee under the current fee rule.
6. Interview at a USCIS field office (6 to 12 months after filing). For marriage-based cases, both the petitioner and beneficiary must attend. USCIS will ask about your relationship, review documents, and make an admissibility determination.
7. Decision. If approved, the green card is mailed within 2 to 4 weeks. If USCIS needs more evidence, they issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), which adds 2 to 3 months.
Concurrent Filing: Filing I-130 and I-485 Together
If you have not yet filed your I-130, or it is still pending, you might be able to file both forms at the same time. This is called concurrent filing, and it saves months by eliminating the wait for I-130 approval (USCIS Concurrent Filing).
Concurrent filing is available to all immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (always) and to preference category beneficiaries only when their priority date is current. The risk is that if the I-130 is denied, the I-485 is automatically denied too, and filing fees are not refunded.
Adjustment of Status Fees (2026)
| Fee | Amount | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| I-485 filing | $1,440 (age 14+) | USCIS |
| Biometrics | $85 (ages 14-78) | USCIS |
| I-765 (EAD, work permit) | $260 (with I-485) | USCIS |
| I-131 (Advance Parole) | $630 | USCIS |
| Medical exam (civil surgeon) | $200 to $500+ | Civil surgeon |
| Total (with EAD + AP) | About $2,615 to $2,915+ |
Again, these figures exclude the I-130 filing fee already paid. Fee waivers are available for some forms through Form I-912 if you meet income or hardship requirements. NVC fees and the USCIS Immigrant Fee cannot be waived (USCIS Fee Schedule G-1055).
How Long Does Adjustment of Status Take?
For immediate relatives, the full process from I-485 filing to green card varies by USCIS field office and case type. You can check current processing times by office at the USCIS Processing Times Tool.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates
If your beneficiary is an immediate relative, skip this section entirely. Immediate relatives always have a visa number available and do not need to check the Visa Bulletin (INA Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i)).
For preference categories (F1 through F4), the Visa Bulletin determines when your beneficiary can actually proceed. Published monthly by the State Department, it lists cutoff dates for each preference category and country.
Here is how the Visa Bulletin works in brief: find your family preference category and country of chargeability. If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff date, your visa is "current" and you can proceed. If the cutoff shows "C," visas are available for all priority dates in that category. If it shows "U," no visas are available.
The bulletin contains two charts: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. For adjustment of status, use the chart USCIS designates for that month on its filing-charts page. For consular processing, the State Department uses the Visa Bulletin to determine when applicants may begin submitting documents to NVC. Using the wrong chart is one of the most common mistakes applicants make.
What to do while waiting for your priority date to become current:
- Check the Visa Bulletin monthly for movement in your category
- Keep your address current with USCIS and NVC
- Maintain all required documents (some expire and need renewal)
- Monitor for any changes in the beneficiary's marital status or age that could affect classification
- Respond promptly to any NVC communications to avoid case termination
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Critical 2025 to 2026 Policy Updates Affecting Your Case
Several policy changes from 2025 and 2026 could affect your next steps.
75-Country Immigrant Visa Pause (effective January 21, 2026). The State Department announced a pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 listed countries under a public-benefits screening policy. Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Pakistan are on the published list, but India is not on the State Department's February 2, 2026 list. Separately, Presidential Proclamation 10998 imposed full or partial visa suspensions for certain nationals of 39 countries effective January 1, 2026. If your beneficiary may be affected, check the current State Department country list and any applicable proclamation guidance before proceeding.
Stricter Family Petition Scrutiny (effective August 1, 2025). USCIS policy alert PA-2025-12 updated the Policy Manual to strengthen screening and vetting for family-based immigrant visa petitions, clarify when interviews may be required, and clarify that USCIS may issue a Notice to Appear if a beneficiary is otherwise removable because a family-based petition does not grant status or relief from removal.
I-765 and I-131 Are No Longer Included in the I-485 Fee. Since April 1, 2024, work permits and travel documents require separate fees when filed with I-485. This increased the total adjustment of status package cost by roughly 90% compared to the old fee structure.
I-693 Medical Exam Required at Filing. Since December 2, 2024, Form I-693 must be submitted with your I-485 at the time of filing. Missing it can result in your application being rejected outright.
Travel Restrictions. If your beneficiary is affected by the current travel restrictions, consult an immigration attorney before proceeding with either path.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid After I-130 Approval
1. Assuming I-130 approval means you have a green card. It does not. The I-130 only confirms the family relationship. You still need to complete either consular processing or adjustment of status to actually get the green card.
2. Traveling without Advance Parole during a pending I-485. If the beneficiary leaves the U.S. without approved Advance Parole while their adjustment of status application is pending, USCIS generally treats it as abandoning the case. Exceptions may apply to certain applicants in valid H, L, K-3/K-4, or V nonimmigrant status who meet the return requirements for that status.
3. Not responding to NVC within deadlines. NVC can terminate a case after one year of inactivity under INA Section 203(g). If you receive a Welcome Letter or document request, respond promptly even if your priority date is not yet current.
4. Using the wrong Visa Bulletin chart. The "Dates for Filing" chart and the "Final Action Dates" chart serve different purposes. Using the wrong one can lead you to file too early (resulting in rejection) or wait longer than necessary. Our Visa Bulletin explainer breaks this down in detail.
5. Letting the beneficiary's status lapse. I-130 approval does not grant or extend any immigration status. If the beneficiary is in the U.S. on a temporary visa, they must maintain that status until they file for adjustment of status or leave the country. Special exemption: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can adjust status despite a visa overstay, as long as they originally entered lawfully (8 CFR Section 245).
Official Sources
This guide is based on current USCIS policy and federal regulations. All information was verified against these official sources as of March 2026:
USCIS Resources
State Department / NVC
Federal Regulations
- 8 CFR Section 204 - Immigrant petitions and routing after I-130 approval
- 8 CFR Section 245 - Adjustment of status eligibility
Immigration and Nationality Act
- INA Section 201 - Immediate relative exemption from visa caps
- INA Section 203 - Preference categories and priority dates
Immigration law changes frequently. We monitor USCIS policy updates and revise this guide when regulations change.