Priority dates and processing periods for I-130s at USCIS field offices and service centers in 2024 are analyzed. In this comprehensive analysis, we shall provide a detailed synopsis of the present processing priority dates and deadlines for I-130 petitions, which are more commonly referred to as applications for family category immigrant visas.
Given that this information was obtained directly from the official USCIS website, the dependability and precision of the updates are assured.
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US Family Visas I-130 Processing Time
Understanding the I-130 Petition
The I-130 petition is a crucial component of family-sponsored immigration, and it is essential to identify the service center that will be responsible for processing your application. Applicants may access authentic notifications concerning the progress of their case processing via the official website of USCIS.
Exploring USCIS Service Centers and Field Offices
An intuitive interface on the USCIS website enables users to select the appropriate form category while considering their relationship with the petitioner. The six primary categories are as follows:
- Documentation of permanent residency on behalf of a spouse or minor child
- US citizen petitioning on behalf of a dependent spouse, parent, or child younger than 21 years of age
- Application by a U.S. citizen on behalf of an unmarried daughter or son older than 21
- Permanent resident petition for a son or daughter over the age of 21 who is unmarried
- US citizen petitioning on behalf of a spouse’s offspring
- U.S. citizen petitioning on behalf of a sibling
USCIS Field Offices
Users can choose the specific field office or service center that is relevant to their case once they have identified the appropriate category. Among the available alternatives are the following:
- California
- National Benefits Center
- Nebraska
- Potomac
- Texas
- Vermont service center
- All field offices
USCIS Service Centers Prioritization
By the priority date specified in the Department of State Visa Bulletin regarding the availability of immigrant visas, the USCIS service centers have established a prioritization system. Before processing I-130 preference petitions, USCIS uses this monthly bulletin to ascertain the most crucial visa categories and dates.
California Service Center
- Filing for permanent resident status with a spouse or child younger than 21 years of age: 42 months (applications accepted through October 19, 2019).
- Petition period for US citizen spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21: fourteen months (through July 21, 2022).
- The petitioning period for an unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 who is a US citizen is 79.5 months, as of June 20, 2016.
- The petitioning period for an unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 to become a permanent resident was 71.5 months, beginning on March 19, 2017.
- The petition period for a married son or daughter filed by a US citizen was 80.5 months, beginning on December 19, 2013.
- Filing by a U.S. citizen for a sibling: 49.5 months (applications accepted through September 26, 2019).
National Benefits Center
- Subsidizing a spouse or child under the age of 21 to file as a permanent resident: 61.5 months (applications received through June 10, 2018).
- The filing period for US citizen petitions on behalf of a spouse, parent, or child under the age of 21 is 51.5 months, beginning on January 15, 2019.
- Petition period for US citizen petitions regarding unmarried sons or daughters older than 21 years: 68 months (as of November 19, 2017).
- The petition period for permanent resident applications for unmarried children older than 21 years old is 72 months, beginning on December 12, 2017.
- Petition received by October 5, 2018, for a married son or daughter from a US citizen is for 64 months.
- Petitioning by a US citizen for a sibling: 69 months (as of June 6, 2018; petitions received to date).
Nebraska Service Center
- The petition period for spouses and children under the age of 21 who wish to file as permanent residents is 24.5 months, beginning on November 13, 2020.
- Petition period for US citizen spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21: fourteen months (through July 21, 2022).
- 26 months have passed since a U.S. citizen filed for an unmarried son or daughter older than 21 (petitions were received through March 26, 2020).
- Filing as a permanent resident on behalf of a child older than 21 who is unmarried: 47.5 months (from the date petitions are received until December 7, 2019).
- The petition period for a married son or daughter for a US citizen is 45.5 months, from the date of receipt until December 26, 2019.
- Application by a U.S. citizen for a sibling: 25.5 months (from the date petitions are received until May 18, 2020).
Potomac Service Center
- The filing period for a permanent resident petition on behalf of a child or spouse under the age of 21 is 31 months, beginning on January 9, 2021.
- Petition period for US citizen spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21: fourteen months (through July 21, 2022).
- The petition period for an unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 who is a US citizen is 47 months, beginning on December 25, 2019.
- Filing as a permanent resident on behalf of a child older than 21 who is unmarried: 44.5 months (from the date petitions are received until January 29, 2020).
- Filing for a married son or daughter by a U.S. citizen: 46 months (petitions received through January 1, 2020).
- Filing for a sibling by a U.S. citizen: 41.5 months (petitions accepted through February 3, 2020).
Texas Service Center
- Application period for permanent resident petitions on behalf of a spouse or child under the age of 21: 35 months, beginning on August 26, 2020.
- Petition period for US citizen spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21: fourteen months (through July 21, 2022).
- The petitioning period for an unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 who is a US citizen is 47.5 months, beginning on December 25, 2019.
- The petitioning period for an unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 to become a permanent resident is 51.5 months, beginning on November 5, 2019.
- US citizen petitioning on behalf of a married child: 51 Petitions were accepted for 1.5 months, until November 6, 2019.
- Filing by a U.S. citizen for a sibling: 49 months (applications accepted through November 21, 2019).
Vermont Service Center
- Filing for permanent resident status with a spouse or child younger than 21 years of age: 34.5 months (applications accepted through January 3, 2021).
- Petition period for US citizen spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21: fourteen months (through July 21, 2022).
- The processing time for US citizen petitions regarding unmarried sons or daughters older than 21 years is 48.5 months, beginning on September 5, 2015.
- The petition period for permanent resident petitions involving unmarried children older than 21 years old is 71 months, beginning on July 24, 2015.
- The filing period for US citizen petitions regarding a married son or daughter is 49 months, beginning on April 18, 2018.
- Filing by a U.S. citizen for a sibling: fifty months (applications accepted through January 17, 2014).
Field Offices
- The processing time for permanent resident petitions for spouses or children under the age of 21 is 76.5 months, beginning on September 1, 2015.
- Petition processing time for US citizens with a spouse, parent, or child under the age of 21 is 56.5 months, as of March 3, 2018.
- The processing time for US citizen petitions regarding unmarried sons or daughters older than 21 years is 87 months, beginning on November 30, 2014.
- Filing for permanent resident status with an unmarried son or daughter who is at least 21 years old: 84 months (applications accepted through March 8, 2016).
- The petition period for US citizens to file for a married son or daughter was 117 months, beginning on May 11, 2013.
- Petitioning by a US citizen for a sibling: 86.5 months (from the date of receipt of petitions until December 26, 2012).
Conclusion:
This comprehensive inquiry provides an in-depth comprehension of the processing times for I-130s at various USCIS field offices and service centers. Applicants may utilize this data to approximate the expected durations of their family-sponsored immigration cases. It is imperative to remain informed and visit the official USCIS website frequently to ascertain whether any modifications or adjustments have been made to the processing times.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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What is the processing time for I-130 for family preference?
For immediate relatives (spouse or unmarried child) of a U.S. green card holder (legal permanent resident) living abroad, the time to process Form I-130 currently varies between 33 and 37 months. For those living in the U.S., the processing time is currently 13.5–20.5 months.
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What is the processing time for I-130?
For a spouse of a U.S. citizen, the average processing time for Form I-130 in 2024 takes between 14 and 53 months. Spouses of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives.
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What is next after I-130 is approved?
If your I-130 Petition is approved, this means that USCIS agrees that your spouse qualifies for a green card. The next step is to apply either for an Adjustment of Status, if your spouse is within the US, or for an Immigrant Visa from a US consulate overseas.
