Which Processing Service Center?

[Maverick1990 2]

Hi,

 

I am curious if there is any way in which you can tell which service centre your application will be processed at? My wife (US citizen) and I (UK citizen), both currently living in the UK, are applying for the I-130 so we can move to the US for the long term. I notice that each service centre has various processing times, so trying to get a limited idea (if possible) on when to apply if we're looking to move before my wife's UK visa expires (December 2021).

 

Thanks,

Keith

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

I would apply now. The spouse visa takes about 12-18 months. You can delay it at the NVC stage if it goes faster than expected and you have a max of 6 months after getting the visa to move ( 6 months counting from the date of the medical ).

USCIS chooses the service center depending on their workload so it's not possible to say where your application will end up.  

[SalishSea 17,827]

After the petition is dispatched to one of the centers, and accepted, you will get a receipt indicating where it is located.

 

Oh, and there is no discernible pattern to where the petitions end up (i.e. not based on US address etc).  Only USCIS knows.

Edited April 18, 2020 by Jorgedig

[JFH 12,190]

Applying now through the lockbox (which is now your only option) is likely to take around 18 months all told. So now is about the right time to apply for a December 2021 finish date. Also you will have 6 months from the date of the medical to move.

 

You have no way of knowing which service center it will be directed to.

Edited April 18, 2020 by JFH

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*moved from “bringing family members of USCs” to “IR-1/CR-1 spouse visa process and procedures”*~*~*