I-130 Processing time for Sister/Brother of US Citizen

[sumer 1]

Hi,

My brother (US Citizen) submitted an I-130 for my other brother who lives in Pakistan in 2009. Following are the details.

• Receipt Date: Jan 16,2009
• Priority Date: Jan 12, 2009
• Notice Date: Dec 7,2010

I was checking the USCIS web site for processing times and i found out that for Vermont Service Center the timelines shows there are

USCIS National Goal= 5.0 Months

USCIS National Average= 29.5 Months

Vermont Service Center= 28.8 Months (Almost 2 years 4 months)

And for California Service Center it shows:

USCIS National Goal= 5.0 Months

USCIS National Average= 29.5 Months

California Service Center= 42.2 Months (Almost 3 years 5 months)

Now i am confused, did i look at the correct information for Processing times for I-130 for Petition of brother/sister. I was told it takes 10 to 12 years to process an I-130 for Brother/Sister of US Citizen.

Anyone, please help???? Will be grateful. Thanks. S. Umer

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The time you found is how long it takes for the petition to be approved. But approval doesn't mean you can go ahead with applying for the visa. You will have to wait until the priority date is current to proceed, which is currently at about 12 years. Check out what dates can go ahead on the visa bulletin (google visa bulletin).

Edited September 20, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Ashi Sajid 5]

Yes, it does take about 10-12 years...

Is he married and has kids???

[aaron2020 11,651]

Approval of the I-130 is only the first step. After the I-130 is approved, the case is sent to the NVC where it must wait until visas becomes available in the F4 category. Visa becomes available when the Priority Date becomes current in the Visa Bulletin. The current wait from filing to a visa is 12 years.

It doesn't matter how long it takes to approve the I-130 since it is only the first step. The overall wait is determined by the PD in the VB.

Edited September 20, 2013 by aaron2020

[sumer 1]

Yes, it does take about 10-12 years...

Is he married and has kids???

Thanks, yes he is married and has 2 kids under 7 years. I guess my brother applied for his whole family.

The time you found is how long it takes for the petition to be approved. But approval doesn't mean you can go ahead with applying for the visa. You will have to wait until the priority date is current to proceed, which is currently at about 12 years. Check out what dates can go ahead on the visa bulletin (google visa bulletin).

Thanks a lot for your prompt response.

[Leo1967 5]

I applied for an I-130 for my brother and sister and was approved since June, 2005.  There has been no activity since the approved date.  It’s been more than 12 years now; it will be actually 13 years in June, 2018.   I often check the status and nothing has changed.  All it’s says is “Your

I-130  has been approved”.  We are from Honduras and I’ve heard that there is different priority for different countries.  That could be an affecting reason why nothing has changed on my case.   Hopefully it won’t be as long for you and your siblings.  Good luck to you!

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Thread from 2013 is now closed to further comment.