I-130 for parents abroad questions

[irertwert 1]

I am US Citizen. I applied for I-130 for both of my parents who currently reside abroad, both applications in Nov 2022. My original understanding was that timeline is supposed to be 9-11 months. As of today, I see on USCIS website "7 months" on one and "8 months" on another application which gets us to Nov-Dec 2023 territory. Is it reasonable?

 

Is there at all a place where people share that they just received approval on I-130 and post when they applied, so I can see real-life cases of timelines?

 

Also, I am concerned that it's extremely unclear what happens after I-130 approval (hopefully). Let's say I-130 is approved. Can my parents just set up an appointment at the closest US embassy right away (hopefully appointment just a few days after approval)? I've heard somewhere that may be they can't set up themselves and need to wait months for USCIS/NVC to give them appointment with no clarity about this process. Is there anything to read about this?

 

Also, both I-130 forms mentioned that they reside outside of the US and will be getting visas in an embassy. What will happen if they apply for B-1 visas in the next month or two? Hopefully they can get B-1 (can they?), and if they arrive to the US, and get I-130 approved while physically in the US, can they get AOS instead of embassy appointment?

[Timona 4,207]

Just be patient 

[powerpuff 6,697]

There’s seems to be lack of research into the process.

Here’s the process step by step. I suggest you study it with great detail

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html

 

14 minutes ago, irertwert said:

My original understanding was that timeline is supposed to be 9-11 months. As of today, I see on USCIS website "7 months" on one and "8 months" on another application which gets us to Nov-Dec 2023 territory. Is it reasonable?

Those estimates are known to be not very accurate. Average processing for I-130 is about 12 months, give or take

 

14 minutes ago, irertwert said:

Is there at all a place where people share that they just received approval on I-130 and post when they applied, so I can see real-life cases of timelines?

Look under immigration time lines here on Vj and filter for IR5 cases.

 

14 minutes ago, irertwert said:

Can my parents just set up an appointment at the closest US embassy right away (hopefully appointment just a few days after approval)? I've heard somewhere that may be they can't set up themselves and need to wait months for USCIS/NVC to give them appointment with no clarity about this process. Is there anything to read about this?

No they cannot just set up an appointment. You’re missing the whole NVC process where you have to provide a number of documents, wait for them to be reviewed, then if everything is on order you get Documentary qualified (DQ) and only then you’re entered into a queue waiting for an appointment letter. Again, all of this is in the link above. 
 

14 minutes ago, irertwert said:

Hopefully they can get B-1 (can they?), and if they arrive to the US, and get I-130 approved while physically in the US, can they get AOS instead of embassy appointment?

That is immigration fraud.

 

Chances of B2 are very low considering they have a strong immigrant intent.

Agree with @Timona. You need to buckle up, this ride is close to 2 years from start to finish.

Edited April 30, 2023 by powerpuff

[Mike E 11,739]

12 minutes ago, irertwert said:

As of today, I see on USCIS website "7 months" on one and "8 months" on another application which gets us to Nov-Dec 2023 territory. Is it reasonable?

Unreasonable and the new normal

 

12 minutes ago, irertwert said:

Is there at all a place where people share that they just received approval on I-130 and post when they applied, so I can see real-life cases of timelines?

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/
 

13 minutes ago, irertwert said:

Also, I am concerned that it's extremely unclear what happens after I-130 approval (hopefully). Let's

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html
 

 

[irertwert 1]

16 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

No they cannot just set up an appointment. You’re missing the whole NVC process where you have to provide a number of documents, wait for them to be reviewed, then if everything is on order you get Documentary qualified (DQ) and only then you’re entered into a queue waiting for an appointment letter. Again, all of this is in the link above. 

 

Thank you. I looked at the links provided. What documents are expected to be provided at the NVC process? Same that were submitted in I-130, or more?

[powerpuff 6,697]

10 minutes ago, irertwert said:

 

Thank you. I looked at the links provided. What documents are expected to be provided at the NVC process? Same that were submitted in I-130, or more?

I don’t think you did. It’s written out in steps 4-7.

[davidvs 337]

1 hour ago, irertwert said:

 

Also, I am concerned that it's extremely unclear what happens after I-130 approval (hopefully). 

It is extremely clear what happens after I-130 approval.

[davidvs 337]

1 hour ago, irertwert said:

What will happen if they apply for B-1 visas in the next month or two? Hopefully they can get B-1 (can they?), and if they arrive to the US, and get I-130 approved while physically in the US, can they get AOS instead of embassy appointment?

Do not do this.

[irertwert 1]

3 minutes ago, davidvs said:

Do not do this.

why not? is this going to affect chances of the final approval?

Edited April 30, 2023 by irertwert

[canadian_wife 1,822]

28 minutes ago, irertwert said:

why not? is this going to affect chances of the final approval?

It is visa fraud.

[SalishSea 17,818]

33 minutes ago, irertwert said:

why not? is this going to affect chances of the final approval?

It’s fraud.  

 

Please do some reading and educate yourself on this process.   If you don’t, you’re in for a world of hurt with potential delays, extra expenses, denials, misrepresentation.   

[SteveInBostonI130 3,434]

4 hours ago, irertwert said:

 

Thank you. I looked at the links provided. What documents are expected to be provided at the NVC process? Same that were submitted in I-130, or more?

 

How did you become a USC?  Work visa, visa lottery, K1, CR1, Family preference...?

 

[irertwert 1]

3 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

 

How did you become a USC?  Work visa, visa lottery, K1, CR1, Family preference...?

 

I became a US Citizen due to naturalization, to which I applied after 5 years on green card.

How is this relevant?

[SteveInBostonI130 3,434]

Just now, irertwert said:

I became a US Citizen due to naturalization, to which I applied after 5 years on green card.

How is this relevant?

 

I am asking because the I-130 and NVC steps are the same as what you went through if you immigrated via a I-130 petition - immediate family or family preference visa.

[Cathi 5,746]

Just to be clear. Traveling to the U.S with a visitor visa (B1/B2) with the intent to STAY and ADJUST STATUS is visa fraud. Do not attempt to do this under any circumstances. Period. End of story.