What document must a U.S. citizen file to sponsor a relative for immigration?

To sponsor a relative for immigration, a U.S. citizen must file Form I-130, also known as the Petition for Alien Relative. This form is specifically designed to establish a qualifying relationship between the U.S. citizen and the relative being sponsored. By filing this petition, the U.S. citizen is formally requesting that their family member be allowed to immigrate to the United States.

The significance of this form lies in its role as the first step in the family-based immigration process. It demonstrates the petitioner’s intent to support their relative and helps to initiate the process of granting that relative lawful permanent residency in the United States.

Other forms listed in the options serve different purposes in the immigration process. For example, Form I-485 is used by individuals who are already in the U.S. and wish to adjust their status to become permanent residents, but it is not the initial document for sponsorship. Form I-751 is used to remove conditions on residency for those who obtained their status through marriage, and Form N-400 is for naturalization applications for individuals who wish to become U.S. citizens. None of these forms specifically addresses the sponsorship of a relative like Form I-130 does.