April 27th, 2024 at 12:03 am

I-130 Processing Time 2024: Alien, Spouse, Relatives & Children

We’ll go over the current processing dates and guidelines in this guide for various family-based petitions, such as those involving spouses, foreign nationals, parents, siblings, and kids. As you proceed through the immigration procedure, be aware and ready.

Exploring USCIS I-130 Processing Timelines for 2024

In this extensive guide, we examine the most recent processing timelines for form I-130 for the following family preference categories: F1, F2a, F2b, F3, F4, and immediate relatives. As of April 11th, 2024, these timetables are taken directly from the USCIS website and offer insightful information for petitioners trying to comprehend the state of the processing system at the moment.

Understanding USCIS Form I-130

To demonstrate a familial link with a foreign national relative who seeks to move to the United States, US citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) must file the USCIS form I-130, officially known as the “Petition for Alien Relative.” This form is used to prove that there is a qualifying family link and to start the process of getting an immigrant visa or, if approved, adjusting status to that of a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

Overview of Family Preference Categories

Understanding the differences between the several family preference categories that I-130 petitions are submitted under is crucial before delving into specific processing dates.

F1: unmarried Sons and Daughters of US citizens and their minor children

This category includes unmarried Sons and Daughters of US citizens, along with their minor children, if any

F2a: spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 who are lawful permanent residents fall under this category

F2b: Unmarried Sons and Daughters 21 or older of lawful permanent residents

Unmarried Sons and Daughters 21 or older of lawful permanent residents are classified in this category

F3: Married Sons and Daughters of US citizens, along with their spouses and minor children

This category includes married Sons and Daughters of US citizens, as well as their spouses and minor children

F4: siblings of adult US citizens, including their spouses and minor children

US citizens can petition for their siblings brothers or sisters to immigrate to the United States along with their spouses and minor children

Immediate Relatives

Spouses, parents, and unmarried children of US citizens under the age of 21 fall into this category. Unlike family preference categories, immediate relatives are not subject to annual numerical limits on Visa issuance, potentially speeding up the procedure.

USCIS Service Centers and Processing Timelines

I-130 petitions are processed by the USCIS in several service centers around the nation; each center handles applications according to workload and geographic distribution. Among the important service centers are those in California, Nebraska, Texas, Vermont, Potomac, Nebraska, and the National Benefit Center (NBC).

Petitioners need to comprehend the processing time associated with each service center to project the anticipated duration of their I-130 applications.

Detailed Processing Timelines by Application Type

Let us now examine the individual processing schedules for all I-130 application types at the USCIS service facilities as of April 11, 2024.

Permanent resident filing for spouse or child under 21

• California service center processing time: 42 months, applications received October 11th, 2020
• Nebraska service center processing time: 245 months, applications received November 28th, 2022
• Potomic service center processing time: 31 months, applications received September 14th, 2021
• Texas service center Center processing time: 35 months, applications received May 14th, 2021
• Vermont service center processing time: 345 months, applications received May 1st, 2021

US citizen filing for spouse parent or child under 21

• California service center processing time: 14 months, applications received May 14th, 2023
• Nebraska service center processing time: 14 months, applications received February 14th, 2023
• Potomic service center processing time: 14 months, applications received January 14th, 2023
• Texas service center processing time: 14 months, applications received October 14th, 2023
• Vermont service center processing time: 14 months, applications received March 14th, 2023

US citizen filing for unmarried son or daughter 21 or older

• California service center processing time: 795 months, applications received August 28th, 2017
• Nebraska service center processing time: 26 months, applications received February 14th, 2022
• Potomac service center processing time: 47 months, applications received May 14th, 2020
• Texas service center processing time: 475 months, applications received May 1st, 2020
• Vermont service center processing time: 485 months, applications received March 28th, 2020

Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter 21 or older

• California service center processing time: 715 months, applications received May 2nd, 2018
• Nebraska service center processing time: 475 months, applications received November 2nd, 2020
• Potomac service center processing time: 445 months, applications received December 2nd, 2020
• Texas service center processing time: 55 months, applications received July 27th, 2020
• Vermont service center processing time: 71 months, applications received May 14th, 2020

US citizen filing for married son or daughter

• California service center processing time: 885 months, applications received July 29th, 2017
• Nebraska service center processing time: 455 months, applications received June 28th, 2020
• Potomac service center processing time: 46 months, applications received June 28th, 2020
• Texas service center processing time: 515 months, applications received March 23rd, 2020
• Vermont service center processing time: 49 months, applications received April 7th, 2020

US citizen filing for brother or sister

• California service center processing time: 495 months, applications received February 22nd, 2020
• Nebraska service center processing time: 255 months, applications received April 15th, 2022
• Potomac service center processing time: 415 months, applications received September 17th, 2020
• Texas service center processing time: 49 months, applications received March 14th, 2020
• Vermont service center processing time: 50 months, applications received February 14th, 2015

Conclusion

In conclusion, anyone navigating the US immigration system must be aware of the current USCIS processing times for form I-130. These schedules offer a useful point of reference for comprehending the anticipated wait periods according to the kind of family-based petition submitted to the USCIS service facility.