The short version
- I-130 by a U.S. citizen for a spouse: 80% of cases done within 53 months at the National Benefits Center and 83.5 months at USCIS field offices (USCIS, read November 4, 2026).
- Petitions by a green card holder: 52 to 139 months.
- USCIS updates its processing times every month; the figure is the time it took to finish 80% of the cases decided in the past six months.
- Photos: two of the petitioner and two of the spouse if the spouse is in the United States, taken within 30 days of filing.
- SelfieToPassport makes the 2 x 2 inch photos from a phone picture for $6.95, plus $2.95 for each extra person in the same order.
How long does the I-130 take for the spouse of a U.S. citizen?
USCIS publishes one figure for the category “U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21”, so it covers spouses and children together.
The rules
- Form I-130 petitions filed by a U.S. citizen for a spouse, parent or child under 21: 80% were completed within 53 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
- Form I-130 petitions filed by a U.S. citizen for a spouse, parent or child under 21: 80% were completed within 83.5 months at USCIS field offices. egov.uscis.gov
Compared with petitions by a green card holder
Petitions by a green card holder are a separate USCIS category with their own figure.
The rules
- Form I-130 petitions filed by a green card holder for a spouse or child under 21: 80% were completed within 52 months at the National Benefits Center. egov.uscis.gov
- Form I-130 petitions filed by a green card holder for a spouse or child under 21: 80% were completed within 139 months at USCIS field offices. egov.uscis.gov
How USCIS counts the processing time
The figure is not a promise for your case: it looks back at cases USCIS already decided. USCIS generally works in the order it receives cases, and some take longer than others. Your receipt notice shows the form, category and office to look up.
The rule
- A USCIS processing time is how long it took USCIS to complete 80% of the cases it decided over the past six months. egov.uscis.gov
The photos for a spouse petition
Both sets of photos are 2 x 2 inches with a white to off-white background, and the name written lightly on the back in pencil.
The rule
- A Form I-130 petition for a spouse needs two identical color passport-style photos of the petitioner and of the spouse if the spouse is in the United States, taken within 30 days of filing. uscis.gov
FAQ
How many photos does an I-130 for a spouse need?
Two identical passport-style photos of the petitioner and two of the spouse if the spouse is in the United States, taken within 30 days of filing. Source: official page "Instructions for Form I-130 (edition 04/01/24) › Petition for a spouse › Photographs", checked on Nov 4, 2026.
Does the I-130 figure include the green card itself?
No. The I-130 only establishes the relationship; the green card is a separate application, Form I-485 inside the United States, with its own processing time. Source: official page "USCIS Case Processing Times", checked on Nov 4, 2026.
Where this information comes from
Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State and the companies named, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
- USCIS Case Processing Times › I-130 › U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 › National Benefits Center egov.uscis.gov · checked Nov 4, 2026
- Instructions for Form I-130 (edition 04/01/24) › Petition for a spouse › Photographs uscis.gov · checked Nov 4, 2026
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.