Advertisement

Family Immigration to U.S: How Long Does I-130 Take in 2024? All Your Questions Answered

Advertisement

Dreaming of reuniting with your family in the United States? If you’re a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) sponsoring a relative for immigration, understanding Form I-130 processing times is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the I-130 process in 2024, answering all your questions about timelines and what to expect.

Advertisement

What is Form I-130?

Form I-130, officially called the Petition for Alien Relative, is the first step in sponsoring a family member for a green card. It establishes your relationship with the person you’re petitioning for (the beneficiary) and proves they qualify as an immediate relative or fall under a specific family preference category.

Advertisement

Who Can File Form I-130?

U.S. citizens can sponsor a variety of family members, including:

Advertisement
  • Spouse
  • Unmarried child under 21 years old
  • Parent (if you’re a U.S. citizen over 21)
  • Married son or daughter (processing times can be lengthy)
  • Unmarried son or daughter over 21 years old (processing times vary depending on your marital status)
  • Brother or sister (processing times are generally long)

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can also sponsor some family members, but with limitations. They can only sponsor:

Advertisement
  • Spouse
  • Unmarried child under 21 years old

Understanding Family Preference Categories

Advertisement

USCIS categorizes family relationships into preference categories. These categories determine the processing timeline for your Form I-130 petition. Here’s a breakdown of the most common categories:

  • Immediate Relatives (Category 1): Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens over 21 generally have the fastest processing times due to no annual limits on green cards available.
  • Family Preference Categories (Categories 2A, 2B, 3, and 4): These categories include married children, unmarried adult children (over 21), siblings, and some other relatives of U.S. citizens and green card holders. Each category has a yearly quota on the number of green cards available, which can significantly impact processing times.
Advertisement

2024 USCIS I-130 Processing Times

Processing times for Form I-130 can vary significantly depending on your specific situation, including:

Advertisement
  • Your Relationship to the Beneficiary: As mentioned earlier, immediate relatives generally have faster processing times.
  • Your USCIS Service Center: Petitions are routed to different service centers across the country, each with its own workload and processing speeds.
  • The Current Backlog: USCIS may be experiencing higher than usual caseloads, which can further extend processing times.

Here’s a breakdown of estimated processing times for different scenarios (as of March 2024). It’s important to note that these are just estimates and can fluctuate:

Scenario Estimated Processing Time
U.S. Citizen Sponsoring Spouse, Parent, or Child Under 21 14 months (nationwide)
Lawful Permanent Resident Sponsoring Spouse or Child Under 21 Varies by service center (24.5 months to 42 months)
U.S. Citizen Sponsoring Unmarried Son or Daughter 21 or Older Varies by service center (26 months to 79.5 months)
Lawful Permanent Resident Sponsoring Unmarried Son or Daughter 21 or Older Varies by service center (44.5 months to 71.5 months)
U.S. Citizen Sponsoring Married Son or Daughter Varies by service center (45.5 months to 80.5 months)
U.S. Citizen Sponsoring Brother or Sister Varies by service center (25.5 months to 50 months)

Finding Your USCIS Service Center

You can find out which service center will handle your case by visiting the USCIS website https://www.uscis.gov/ and using the case processing time tool. Simply enter your receipt number, which you’ll receive after filing Form I-130.

How to Check Your I-130 Case Status

Once you’ve filed your petition, you can track its status online using the USCIS Case Status Online tool https://egov.uscis.gov/. You’ll need your receipt number for this as well.

Important Things to Remember

  • The processing times listed above are estimates and can change.
  • Be prepared for potential delays. USCIS workloads can fluctuate, and unforeseen circumstances can arise, extending processing times.
  • Consider using a lawyer. While not mandatory, an immigration attorney can guide you through the I-130 process, ensure your application is complete and accurate, and represent you if any complications occur.
  • USCIS offers a case inquiry program. If your case processing time significantly exceeds the estimated timeframe, you can submit an e-Request through the USCIS website to inquire about the status. However, USCIS generally won’t respond to inquiries within normal processing times.

Beyond I-130: The Green Card Process

Form I-130 approval signifies a crucial first step, but it’s not the finish line. Once USCIS approves your I-130 petition, the next steps depend on the green card category. Here’s a simplified overview:

  • For Immediate Relatives: After approval, USCIS will schedule an interview for the beneficiary, typically in the United States. Following a successful interview, the beneficiary will receive their green card.
  • For Family Preference Categories: Once USCIS approves I-130, you’ll need to wait for a visa number to become available in the beneficiary’s category. This wait time can be significant due to the yearly quotas. When a visa number becomes current, USCIS will typically schedule an interview and, upon approval, issue the green card.

Staying Updated on Processing Times

USCIS updates processing times regularly. You can check for the latest estimates on the USCIS website https://www.uscis.gov/ using the case processing time tool.

Conclusion

Going through the I-130 process can seem daunting, but understanding the timelines and procedures involved can ease your anxieties. This article has equipped you with the knowledge to estimate processing times, track your case status, and prepare for the next steps in reuniting with your family in the United States. Remember, an immigration attorney can offer valuable guidance and support throughout the journey.

Leave a Reply

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

Why Australia’s July Intake is a Hot Option for International Students (2024 Update)

Australia Awaits! Apply for Your Student Visa in 8 Easy Steps (with Success Tips)