US Family Immigration 2026: Who Qualifies, Fees, Income
Family reunification in the United States starts with one form, the I-130 petition, filed by a US citizen or green card holder for a relative. What happens next depends on a single distinction. Spouses, young children and parents of US citizens are immediate relatives, and a visa is always available to them. Everyone else falls into a preference category with an annual limit and a queue. This guide sets out who can petition for whom, the fees and the income a sponsor must show, from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
A US citizen can petition for a spouse, children, parents and siblings. A green card holder can petition for a spouse and unmarried children. The I-130 petition costs $675 on paper or $625 online. A relative already in the United States files Form I-485, which costs $1,440 on paper. The sponsor must show income of at least 125% of the poverty guidelines: $27,050 for a household of two in the 48 contiguous states, from March 1, 2026. A fiancé(e) visa requires marriage within 90 days of arrival.
Who can petition for whom
| Petitioner | Relatives |
|---|---|
| US citizen | Spouse; children who are unmarried and under 21; sons and daughters who are married or 21 or over; parents, if the citizen is 21 or over; siblings, if the citizen is 21 or over |
| US citizen, fiancé(e) route | A fiancé(e) residing outside the United States, and the fiancé(e)'s children under 21 |
| Green card holder | Spouse; unmarried children under 21; an unmarried son or daughter of any age |
Immediate relatives: no queue
You are an immediate relative if you are the spouse of a US citizen, the unmarried child under 21 of a US citizen, or the parent of a US citizen who is 21 or older. USCIS states that visas are always available for immediate relatives, which means the family member does not need to wait in line for a visa. An immediate relative who is in the United States can file Form I-485 at the same time as the I-130.
Preference categories: a queue by priority date
| Category | Who |
|---|---|
| First preference | Unmarried adult sons and daughters of US citizens. Adult means 21 or older |
| Second preference (2A) | Spouses of green card holders, and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents |
| Second preference (2B) | Unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents |
| Third preference | Married sons and daughters, of any age, of US citizens |
| Fourth preference | Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens |
Visas in these categories are subject to annual numerical limits. A visa becomes available according to the priority date, which is the date the I-130 was filed. The preference category determines how long the relative waits. Current availability is published in the Visa Bulletin on the U.S. Department of State website.
Fees
| Form | Paper filing | Online filing |
|---|---|---|
| I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | $675 | $625 |
| I-485, adjustment of status, applicant over the age of 14 | $1,440 | $1,390 |
| I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | $675 | — |
The amounts are from the USCIS fee schedule, Form G-1055, edition 10/07/26.
The sponsor's income
The petitioner signs Form I-864, the Affidavit of Support, and must show income measured against the HHS Poverty Guidelines. These figures are effective beginning March 1, 2026, for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
| Sponsor's household size | 125% of the guidelines, for most sponsors | 100%, for sponsors on active duty in the armed forces petitioning for a spouse or child |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $27,050 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $34,150 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $41,250 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $48,350 | $38,680 |
| 6 | $55,450 | $44,360 |
| Each additional person | Add $7,100 | Add $5,680 |
Alaska and Hawaii have higher figures. For a household of two the 125% level is $33,813 in Alaska and $31,113 in Hawaii.
Inside or outside the United States
- Relative in the United States: they may apply to adjust status with Form I-485 once a visa number is available.
- Relative abroad: the approved petition goes to the National Visa Center, which forwards it to the appropriate US consulate when a visa becomes available. This is called consular processing.
The fiancé(e) route
A US citizen can file Form I-129F for a fiancé(e) living abroad, the first step towards a K-1 visa. The couple must intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the United States, and the marriage must be genuine. After marrying within the 90 days, the fiancé(e) may apply for a green card.
How to petition, step by step
- File Form I-130 to establish the family relationship.
- Prove your own status as a citizen or permanent resident.
- Submit evidence of the relationship, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
- Wait for a visa number if the relative is in a preference category.
- File the I-864 with proof of income.
- Complete adjustment of status or consular processing.
Frequently asked questions
Which family members can a US citizen sponsor?
A spouse, unmarried children under 21, adult and married sons and daughters, parents and siblings. The citizen must be 21 or over to petition for parents or siblings.
Can a green card holder sponsor family?
Yes: a spouse, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried sons or daughters of any age.
How much does it cost to sponsor a relative for a green card?
The I-130 petition is $675 on paper or $625 online. If the relative adjusts status in the United States, Form I-485 is $1,440 on paper or $1,390 online.
How much income do I need to sponsor my spouse?
At least 125% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines: $27,050 for a household of two in the 48 contiguous states, for the guidelines effective March 1, 2026.
Do spouses of US citizens have to wait for a visa number?
No. Spouses are immediate relatives, and USCIS states that visas are always available for immediate relatives.
What is a priority date?
The date the I-130 was filed. In the preference categories, a visa becomes available according to that date.
How does the K-1 fiancé visa work?
A US citizen files Form I-129F. The couple must marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the United States, after which the fiancé(e) may apply for a green card.
Official sources
- USCIS — Family of U.S. citizens
- USCIS — Family of green card holders (permanent residents)
- USCIS — Green card for immediate relatives of U.S. citizen
- USCIS — Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- USCIS — Fee schedule, Form G-1055 (edition 10/07/26)
- USCIS — I-864P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Affidavit of Support
- USCIS — Visas for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Waiting times in the preference categories change monthly, so check the Visa Bulletin. Information, not legal advice.