Difference in processing times CSC vs VSC

[Cacerez 19]

Just found it interesting while looking on USCIS website at processing times.

CSC:

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 5 Months

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 October 16, 2004

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 March 02, 2002

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister June 16, 2000

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 August 16, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 October 02, 2002

VSC:

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 5 Months

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 July 03, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 June 05, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister June 19, 2007

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 January 19, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 June 05, 2006

Do they not use the same list of waiting for visas for relatives other than spouse, parent, or child under 21? For a brother or sister, there is a 7 year difference!

[NickD 203]

Just found it interesting while looking on USCIS website at processing times.

CSC:

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 5 Months

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 October 16, 2004

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 March 02, 2002

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister June 16, 2000

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 August 16, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 October 02, 2002

VSC:

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 5 Months

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 July 03, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 June 05, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister June 19, 2007

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 January 19, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 June 05, 2006

Do they not use the same list of waiting for visas for relatives other than spouse, parent, or child under 21? For a brother or sister, there is a 7 year difference!

Then they say the national goal is a five month wait, I don't know what to think about their posted processing dates, except, don't hold your breathe. Unfortunately, we are with California. We filed for an unmarried son or daughter over 21. If our son stays unmarried, could never expect grandkids from him, even if we manage to live that long.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Just found it interesting while looking on USCIS website at processing times.

CSC:

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 5 Months

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 October 16, 2004

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 March 02, 2002

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister June 16, 2000

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 August 16, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 October 02, 2002

VSC:

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 5 Months

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 July 03, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 June 05, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister June 19, 2007

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 January 19, 2006

I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 June 05, 2006

Do they not use the same list of waiting for visas for relatives other than spouse, parent, or child under 21? For a brother or sister, there is a 7 year difference!

The difference between approval time does not matter in the over all wait for a visa. Approval of the I-130 establishing a valid relationship to petition for a relative is only the first step. No matter when it gets approve, everyone in the same family preference category gets into the same line at the National Visa Center when waiting for an available visa. The place in line is determined by when the I-130 was received by USCIS (the priority date) and not when the I-130 is approved.

For example, two petitions are filed the same day by US citizens petitioning for a sibling. CSC could approve one petition in 2 years while VSC can take 6 years. The overall wait is 9 years. The first petition will spend 7 years at the NVC while the second would spend 3 years. At the end of 9 years, both are eligible for visas on the same day.

The big difference is the application of CSPA. It is better to have waited 6 years because the time it takes USCIS to approve an I-130 is not counted against a derivative beneficiary who may age out by turning 21 during the wait. The one that took 2 years to get approve gets 2 additional years - meaning a derivative beneficiary must be under age 23 to be eligible for a visa. The one that took 6 years to get approve gets 6 additional years - meaning a derivative beneficiary must be under age 27 to be eligible for a visa.

Yes. It doesn't make sense, but that is the way the law is.

------------

Approval of I-130 = Priority Date is the day that USCIS receives the petition. The PD establishes the beneficiary's place in line for a visa. Times varies for when USCIS approves a petition. This is only important for CSPA application. If there is sufficient preliminary evidence establishing a familial relationship that allows the petitioner to file for the beneficiary. The beneficiary is NOT approved for a visa. This work is carried out by USCIS which is a part of the Dept. of Homeland Security.

Waiting at the NVC = All family preference category petitions goes here to wait for visas. When visas become available in a particular category, the NVC contacts the petitioner and beneficiary about filing an Immigration Visa Application (DS-230). The availability of a visa to a beneficiary is based on an approved I-130 and the PD. Approval of the DS-230 at the US embassy or consulate is what results in a visa being issue. This work is carried out by the Dept. of State.

Edited November 28, 2009 by aaron2020

[Cacerez 19]

Thanks for the details, aaron. Jeez, what a mess!!