This article focuses on processing times for Forms I-130 (Petitions for Alien Relatives) on behalf of immediate relatives (i.e., spouses, parents, and children under age 21) and Forms I-129F (Petitions for Alien Fiancé(e)s) who will apply for their visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
Table 1 below, based on our firm’s monthly check of USCIS processing times, shows that average processing times for such cases have decreased during the Biden administration:
I-130s:
Mar. 2023: 12 mo.
Jan. 2022: 13 – 17.5 mo.
Jan. 2021: 13.5-17.5 mo.
I-129Fs:
Mar. 2023: 10.5 mo.
Jan. 2022: 7 – 9.5 mo.
Jan. 2021: 14-18 mo.
USCIS is receiving an increased number of such I-130s:
2021: 310,877
2020: 236,767
According to USCIS’ own analysis, “Across the agency, the volume of pending cases increased.” Specifically, the number of such I-130s that are pending has increased significantly, suggesting that it will be difficult to significantly decrease processing times:
Mar. 2022: 334,652
Dec. 2020: 176,172
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has similarly reported on the Biden administration’s “still-growing backlog” and continuing “crisis-level processing delays.”
In response to AILA and other advocates, the Biden administration has promised to decrease cycle times to 6 months by Oct. 2023. See USCIS Announces New Cycle Time Goals. It remains to be seen whether that goal can be reached.
Methodology
Table 1 shows processing times at all Service Centers for:
Forms I-130, Petitions for Alien Relatives, filed by U.S. citizens for immediate relatives (i.e., spouses, parents, or children under 21). More specifically, these processing times are for standalone I-130s, meaning I-130s not filed together with Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status; and
Forms I-129F, Petitions for Alien Fiancé(e)s. Upon approval of such petitions, the beneficiaries apply for K-1 or K-2 visas at U.S. consular posts abroad.
Source: USCIS Case Processing Times. These I-130s and I-129Fs are filed with USCIS lockboxes and from there routed to different Service Centers according to workload.
Note that that the “average” processing times listed in Table 1 are the median of the processing times listed for each Service Center. These averages are not weighted by the number of petitions adjudicated at each center. This “average” may overstate processing times somewhat since presumably as USCIS lockboxes receive new I-130s they tend to route them for adjudication to Service Centers with the ability to adjudicate them quickest.
Table 2 shows numbers of I-130s received, approved, denied, and pending at each service center. Source: “Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, by Category, Case Status, and USCIS Field Office or Service Center Location,” USCIS Performance Data.
Table 1: Processing Times for standalone I-130s for immediate relatives and I-129Fs
Date Checked: 2023-03-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2022-02-18
“
Nebraska
10.5
2022-02-06
“
Potomac
12
2021-12-20
0″
Texas
11.5
2021-12-27
“
Vermont
16
2021-06-29
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
15.5
2021-10-23
“
Nebraska
4
2022-09-14
“
Potomac
8.5
2022-05-31
“
Texas
15.5
2021-10-23
“
Vermont
8
2021-05-31
“
Average
10.5
Date Checked: 2023-02-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2022-01-21
“
Nebraska
10.5
2022-01-09
“
Potomac
12
2021-11-22
“
Texas
11.5
2021-11-29
“
Vermont
16
2021-06-01
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
15.5
2021-09-25
“
Nebraska
4
2022-08-17
“
Potomac
8.5
2022-05-03
“
Texas
15.5
2021-09-25
“
Vermont
8
2020-05-02
“
Average
10.5
Date Checked: 2023-02-06
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2022-01-04
“
Nebraska
10.5
2021-12-24
“
Potomac
12
2021-11-05
“
Texas
11.5
2021-11-12
“
Vermont
16
2021-05-16
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
15.5
2021-08-18
“
Nebraska
4
2022-08-02
“
Potomac
8
2022-04-16
“
Texas
15.5
2021-09-17
“
Vermont
9
2020-03-27
“
Average
10.5
Date Checked: 2022-12-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2021-11-20
“
Nebraska
10.5
2021-11-08
“
Potomac
12
2021-09-21
“
Texas
11.5
2021-09-28
“
Vermont
16
2021-03-31
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
15.5
2021-08-04
“
Nebraska
4
2022-06-18
“
Potomac
8
2022-03-02
“
Texas
15.5
2021-08-03
“
Vermont
9
2021-12-11
“
Average
10.5
Date Checked: 2022-11-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2021-10-21
“
Nebraska
10.5
2021-10-09
“
Potomac
12
2021-08-22
“
Texas
11.5
2021-08-29
“
Vermont
16
2021-03-01
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
15
2021-08-13
“
Nebraska
3.5
2022-06-07
“
Potomac
8
2021-11-12
“
Texas
15
2021-07-12
“
Vermont
22
2019-11-10
“
Average
13
Date Checked: 2022-10-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2021-09-22
“
Nebraska
10.5
2021-09-10
“
Potomac
12
2021-07-24
“
Texas
11.5
2021-07-31
“
Vermont
16
2021-01-31
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
14
2021-07-15
“
Nebraska
4
2022-05-13
“
Potomac
5
2022-02-26
“
Texas
14
2021-07-15
“
Vermont
20
2019-11-02
“
Average
11.5
Date Checked: 2022-09-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2021-08-24
“
Nebraska
10.5
2021-08-12
“
Potomac
12
2021-06-25
“
Texas
11.5
2021-07-02
“
Vermont
16
2021-01-02
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
13.5
2021-06-29
“
Nebraska
4.5
2022-04-04
“
Potomac
4.5
2022-02-27
“
Texas
13
2021-07-02
“
Vermont
5.5
2020-03-11
“
Average
8
Date Checked: 2022-08-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2021-07-22
“
Nebraska
10.5
2021-07-10
“
Potomac
12
2021-05-23
“
Texas
11.5
2021-05-30
“
Vermont
16
2020-11-30
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
13.5
2021-05-27
“
Nebraska
4.5
2022-03-02
“
Potomac
4.5
2022-01-25
“
Texas
13
2021-05-30
“
Vermont
5.5
2020-02-07
“
Average
8
Date Checked: 2022-07-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
10.5
2021-06-24
“
Nebraska
10.5
2022-06-12
“
Potomac
12
2021-04-25
“
Texas
11.5
2021-05-02
“
Vermont
16
2020-11-02
“
Average
12
I-129F
California
13.5
2021-04-29
“
Nebraska
4.5
2022-02-02
“
Potomac
4.5
2021-12-28
“
Texas
13
2021-06-02
“
Vermont
5.5
2022-01-10
“
Average
8
Date Checked: 2022-06-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
9.5
2021-07-01
“
Nebraska
6
2021-11-05
“
Potomac
12
2021-03-09
“
Texas
11.5
2021-03-31
“
Vermont
15
2020-11-09
“
Average
11
I-129F
California
13
2021-03-31
“
Nebraska
4.5
2021-12-31
“
Potomac
4.5
2021-11-21
“
Texas
12.5
2021-04-04
“
Vermont
5
2020-03-02
“
Average
8
Date Checked: 2022-05-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
9.5
2021-06-07
“
Nebraska
6
2021-10-12
“
Potomac
12
2021-02-13
“
Texas
11.5
2021-03-07
“
Vermont
15
2020-10-16
“
Average
11
I-129F
California
13
2021-03-07
“
Nebraska
4.5
2021-12-07
“
Potomac
4.5
2021-10-28
“
Texas
12.5
2021-03-11
“
Vermont
5
2020-02-07
“
Average
8
Date Checked: 2022-04-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
6.5 – 8.5
2021-08-20
“
Nebraska
5 – 7
2021-09-24
“
Potomac
10 – 13
2021-03-27
“
Texas
11 – 14.5
2021-02-18
“
Vermont
12 – 16
2021-01-03
“
Average
9 – 12
I-129F
California
10 – 13
2021-03-27
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
none shown
none shown
“
Average
10 – 13
Date Checked: 2022-03-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
6.5 – 8.5
2021-07-20
“
Nebraska
5 – 7
2021-08-24
“
Potomac
10 – 13
2021-02-24
“
Texas
11 – 14.5
2021-01-18
“
Vermont
12 – 16
2020-12-03
“
Average
9 – 12
I-129F
California
10 – 13
2021-02-24
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
none shown
none shown
“
Average
10 – 13
Date Checked: 2022-02-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
29.5 – 38.5
2018-12-20
“
Nebraska
4.5 – 7
2021-07-27
“
Potomac
12.5 – 16
2020-11-01
“
Texas
10.5 – 14
2021-01-04
“
Vermont
11.5 – 15
2020-12-05
“
Average
13.5 – 18
I-129F
California
9 – 12
2021-03-07
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
none shown
none shown
“
Average
9 – 12
Date Checked: 2022-01-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
28.5 – 37
2019-01-03
“
Nebraska
4 – 7
2021-06-29
“
Potomac
12 – 16
2020-10-10
“
Texas
10.5 – 13.5
2020-12-15
“
Vermont
10.5 – 13.5
2020-12-17
“
Average
13 – 17.5
I-129F
California
7 – 9.5
2021-04-25
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
none shown
none shown
“
Average
7 – 9.5
Date Checked: 2021-12-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
27.5 – 35.5
2019-01-10
“
Nebraska
3.5 – 7
2021-05-26
“
Potomac
12.5 – 16
2020-08-31
“
Texas
10.5 – 14
2020-11-04
“
Vermont
10 – 13
2020-12-05
“
Average
13 – 17
I-129F
California
6.5 – 8.5
2021-04-19
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
none shown
none shown
“
Average
6.5 – 8.5
Date Checked: 2021-11-24
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
26.5 – 34.5
2019-01-21
“
Nebraska
3.5 – 7
2021-04-28
“
Potomac
12.5 – 16.5
2020-07-19
“
Texas
10.5 – 13.5
2020-10-18
“
Vermont
9.5 – 12.5
2020-11-19
“
Average
12.5 – 17
I-129F
California
6 – 8
2021-03-27
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
none shown
none shown
“
Average
6 – 8
Date Checked: 2021-10-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
25.5 – 33
2019-01-28
“
Nebraska
3 – 7
2021-03-26
“
Potomac
13 – 16.5
2020-06-08
“
Texas
10 – 13
2020-10-05
“
Vermont
9.5 – 12
2020-10-30
“
Average
12 – 16.5
I-129F
California
6 – 8
2021-02-28
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
none shown
none shown
“
Average
6 – 8
Date Checked: 2021-09-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
24.5 – 32
2019-02-07
“
Nebraska
2.5 – 7
2021-02-25
“
Potomac
13 – 16.5
2020-05-10
“
Texas
10 – 13
2020-09-06
“
Vermont
23.5 – 30
2019-03-28
“
Average
14.5 – 19.5
I-129F
California
6 – 8
2021-01-25
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
9 – 11.5
2020-10-13
“
Average
7.5 – 10
Date Checked: 2021-08-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
23.5 – 30.5
2019-2-19
“
Nebraska
1.5 – 7
2021-1-28
“
Potomac
13 – 17
2020-04-11
“
Texas
9 – 11.5
2020-09-23
“
Vermont
32 – 41.5
2018-03-24
“
Average
16 – 21.5
I-129F
California
6 – 8
2020-12-28
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
8 – 10.5
2020-10-25
“
Average
7 – 9
Date Checked: 2021-07-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
22.5 – 29
2019-2-23
“
Nebraska
1 – 7
2020-12-24
“
Potomac
13 – 17
2020-03-01
“
Texas
8.5 – 10.5
2020-09-07
“
Vermont
31 – 40
2018-03-28
“
Average
13 – 21
I-129F
California
5.5 – 7.5
2020-12-13
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
7 – 9
2020-10-26
“
Average
6 – 8
Date Checked: 2021-05-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
21.5 – 28
2019-02-09
“
Nebraska
2 – 7
2020-10-30
“
Potomac
13 – 17
2020-01-09
“
Texas
8.5 – 10.5
2020-07-13
“
Vermont
30 – 39
2018-03-13
“
Average
15 – 20.5
I-129F
California
6 – 8
2020-10-04
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
6 – 8
2020-10-04
“
Average
6 – 8
Date Checked: 2021-04-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
20.5 – 26.5
2019-02-17
“
Nebraska
2 – 7
2020-10-31
“
Potomac
13 – 16.5
2019-12-18
“
Texas
8 – 10.5
2020-06-23
“
Vermont
29 – 37.5
2018-03-22
“
Average
14.5 – 19.5
I-129F
California
5.5 – 7.5
2020-09-20
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
5 – 7
2020-10-01
“
Average
5.5 – 7.5
Date Checked: 2021-03-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
19.5 – 25.5
2019-02-27
“
Nebraska
2 – 7
2020-08-31
“
Potomac
12.5 – 16.5
2019-11-23
“
Texas
9 – 12
2020-04-02
“
Vermont
28 – 36
2018-03-31
“
Average
14 – 19.5
I-129F
California
5 – 7
2020-08-29
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
23.5 – 30
2018-09-29
“
Average
14 – 18.5
Date Checked: 2021-02-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
18.5 – 24
2019-03-11
“
Nebraska
5 – 7
2020-08-02
“
Potomac
12 – 16
2019-11-16
“
Texas
8.5 – 11
2020-04-03
“
Vermont
27 – 35
2018-04-12
“
Average
12.5 – 18.5
I-129F
California
5.5 – 7.5
2020-08-01
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
22.5 – 29
2018-10-11
“
Average
14 – 18
Date Checked: 2021-01-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
16 – 21
2019-05-08
“
Nebraska
6 – 8
2020-06-09
“
Potomac
11.5 – 15
2019-11-02
“
Texas
8.5 – 10.5
2020-03-17
“
Vermont
26 – 33.5
2018-04-18
“
Average
13.5 – 17.5
I-129F
California
6 – 8
2020-06-03
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
21.5 – 27.5
2018-10-17
“
Average
14 – 18
Date Checked: 2020-12-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
15 – 19.5
2019-05-17
“
Nebraska
7 – 9
2020-04-09
“
Potomac
11.5 – 14.5
2019-10-15
“
Texas
8 – 10.5
2020-02-23
“
Vermont
25 – 32.5
2018-04-27
“
Average
13.5 – 17
I-129F
California
7.5 – 9.5
2020-03-27
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
20.5 – 26.5
2018-10-26
“
Average
14 – 18
Date Checked: 2020-11-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
14 – 18.5
2019-05-25
“
Nebraska
7 – 9.5
2020-02-27
“
Potomac
11 – 14.5
2019-09-24
“
Texas
7.5 – 9.5
2020-02-13
“
Vermont
24 – 31.5
2018-04-26
“
Average
13 – 17
I-129F
California
6.5 – 8
2020-03-30
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
18.5 – 24
2019-01-29
“
Average
12.5 – 16
Date Checked: 2020-10-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
12 – 16
2019-07-14
“
Nebraska
6.5 – 8.5
2020-02-20
“
Potomac
10.5 – 13.5
2019-09-17
“
Texas
6.5 – 8.5
2021-02-21
“
Vermont
22 – 28.5
2018-06-15
“
Average
11.5 – 15
I-129F
California
5 – 7
2020-03-30
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
16.5 – 21.5
2019-01-29
“
Average
11 – 14
Date Checked: 2020-09-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
11 – 14.5
2019-07-24
“
Nebraska
6.5 – 8.5
2017-01-17
“
Potomac
9 – 11.5
2019-10-15
“
Texas
6 – 7.5
2020-01-13
“
Vermont
21 – 27.5
2018-06-25
“
Average
11 – 14
I-129F
California
5 – 7
2020-02-29
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
15.5 – 20
2019–01-29
“
Average
10 – 13.5
Date Checked: 2020-08-27
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
11 – 14.5
2019-06-23
“
Nebraska
6.5 – 8.5
2019-12-17
“
Potomac
9 – 11.5
2019-07-14
“
Texas
6 – 7.5
2020-01-13
“
Vermont
21 – 27.5
2018-05-25
“
Average
11 – 14
I-129F
California
5 – 7
2020-01-29
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
15.5 – 20
2018-12-29
“
Average
10 – 13.5
Date Checked: 2020-07-28
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
5 – 7
2019-12-29
“
Nebraska
7 – 9.5
2019-10-27
“
Potomac
10 – 12.5
2019-07-17
“
Texas
4.5 – 7
2019-12-31
“
Vermont
20.5 – 26.5
2018-05-25
“
Average
9.4 – 12.5
I-129F
California
5 – 7
2019-12-28
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
14.5 – 19
2019-01-07
“
Average
10 – 13
Date Checked: 2020-06-28
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
none shown
none shown
“
Nebraska
10.5 – 13.5
2019-05-26
“
Potomac
7 – 9
2019-10-02
“
Texas
6 – 8
2019-11-07
“
Vermont
19.5 – 25
2018-06-03
“
Average
11 – 14
I-129F
California
5 – 7
2019-11-29
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
13.5 – 17.5
2019-01-16
“
Average
9 – 12
Date Checked: 2020-05-22
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
none shown
none shown
“
Nebraska
12.5 – 16
2019-01-30
“
Potomac
7 – 9
2019-08-27
“
Texas
5 – 7
2019-10-25
“
Vermont
17.5 – 22.5
2018-07-14
“
Average
10.5 – 13.5
I-129F
California
5 – 7
2019-10-23
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
17 – 22.5
2018-07-23
“
Average
11 – 15
Date Checked: 2020-04-23
Form
USCIS service center
Estimated time range (in months)
Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130
California
none shown
none shown
“
Nebraska
12.5 – 16
2018-12-31
“
Potomac
9 – 12
2019-05-07
“
Texas
7.5 – 9.5
2019-07-21
“
Vermont
16.5 – 21
2018-07-25
“
Average
11.5 – 14.5
I-129F
California
5 – 7
2019-09-30
“
Nebraska
none shown
none shown
“
Potomac
none shown
none shown
“
Texas
none shown
none shown
“
Vermont
16 – 21
2018-08-09
“
Average
10.5 – 14
Table 2: Numbers of I-130s received, approved, denied, and pending at each service center
Bukaz: You raise an important question. The processing times shown here report current processing times. But you are asking for a prediction about future processing times, which may be impacted by various factors, such as: (a) how will COVID-19 impact the number of applications/petitions submitted and the number of officers assigned to adjudicate them? (b) how will USCIS’ budgetary woes (Update: USCIS Cancels Employee Furlough, But Processing Delays Loom) impact processing times? (c) what priority is USCIS giving to this type of case now under the Trump administration, and how might that change if there were a Biden administration? Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball.
Hi My priority date is October 2019 for an I-130 in the F2A category (spouse or unmarried child of a permanent resident) filed at the California Service Center. The processing times posted by USCIS seem to increase every month.
Hi I’m a US citizen. I filed an I-130 for my spouse. The Texas Service Center received it May 7, 2019, but no decision has been made yet. What should I do?
Alysha: USCIS suggests: “We have posted a ‘Receipt date for a case inquiry’ … to show when you can inquire about your case. If your receipt date is before the ‘Receipt date for a case inquiry,’ you can submit an ‘outside normal processing time’ service request online.” You may also want to scheduled a consultation to have our firm review your I-130 for any issues that could potentially cause delay.
My receipt date on Form I-129F for K3 (spouse of U.S. citizen) is December 2019. It is already outside the normal processing time per USCIS website. I completed the Form for Outside Normal Processing Time, waited 1 month, no response. Are they really processing I129Fs?
Hello. USCIS sent a receipt notice of our I-129F K-1 Fiancé Visa on April 13, 2020. The last update on their website about our case is from April 15, 2020. (Current status: Case was receieved) Should we expect an update in the next 4 days as it will be 7months by that time?
Start by checking the status of your I-129F online. Find the receipt number on your receipt notice and then check the status here: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do.
Assuming the status shows your case is still pending, you next should look at your receipt notice to identify which USCIS service center is handling your case. Then, you can look at the above table to identify the estimated processing time. Finally, if the receipt date for your I-129F is earlier than the “receipt date for a case inquiry,” you should file an inquiry with USCIS to check the status of your case. The inquiry can be made by phone to the USCIS Contact Center or by using the “Case Outside Normal Processing Time” e-Request form at https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do.
Lucky: USCIS has not assigned USCIS Texas, Potomac, or Nebraska Service Center to adjudicate I-129Fs. All I-129Fs are currently being adjudicated by the California and Vermont Service Centers.
Presenté dos formularios de I-130 para mis hijos menores de edad.En este caso mi petición es de primer órden?? Que tiempo se podría demorar??? Lo están procesando en en Centro de Servicios de Nebraska. Gracias…
Hello – Is there a way to determine whether the California or Vermont Service Center will process my I-129F? They both have drastically different processing times so I am just curious as to what factors will determine which service center processes the application. Thanks in advance!
Just to get this right, it is now taking 3 years to process I-130s through the Vermont Service Center?!? Really?? The “Receipt date for a case inquiry” is the full 39 months earlier. A year earlier it was 16 to 18 months (less than 1/2 the time). Did the people at the VSC just take a year’s vacation during Covid?
Is there any type of “National Association of Immigration Attorneys”? Can’t you guys talk to someone in charge to say “Hey, what’s the problem here?”.
BH Jones: The first thing to realize is that the Trump administration policy was to slow legal immigration, and many tactics were used to that end, including slowing down I-130 processing times.
“The first thing to realize is that the Trump administration policy was to slow legal immigration, and many tactics were used to that end, including slowing down I-130 processing times.” Imagine your boss telling you to “work slower”.
With the current COVID situation, what is the I-129f situation and are there any steps one can take to ensure a prompt processing?
See Consular Posts May Prioritize K-1 Visas.
How long will processing of my I-129F petition take? It was received by USCIS on June 11.
Bukaz: You raise an important question. The processing times shown here report current processing times. But you are asking for a prediction about future processing times, which may be impacted by various factors, such as: (a) how will COVID-19 impact the number of applications/petitions submitted and the number of officers assigned to adjudicate them? (b) how will USCIS’ budgetary woes (Update: USCIS Cancels Employee Furlough, But Processing Delays Loom) impact processing times? (c) what priority is USCIS giving to this type of case now under the Trump administration, and how might that change if there were a Biden administration? Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball.
Hi
My priority date is October 2019 for an I-130 in the F2A category (spouse or unmarried child of a permanent resident) filed at the California Service Center. The processing times posted by USCIS seem to increase every month.
Thanks
I’m having this problem too
Hi
I’m a US citizen. I filed an I-130 for my spouse. The Texas Service Center received it May 7, 2019, but no decision has been made yet. What should I do?
Alysha: USCIS suggests: “We have posted a ‘Receipt date for a case inquiry’ … to show when you can inquire about your case. If your receipt date is before the ‘Receipt date for a case inquiry,’ you can submit an ‘outside normal processing time’ service request online.” You may also want to scheduled a consultation to have our firm review your I-130 for any issues that could potentially cause delay.
My receipt date on Form I-129F for K3 (spouse of U.S. citizen) is December 2019. It is already outside the normal processing time per USCIS website. I completed the Form for Outside Normal Processing Time, waited 1 month, no response. Are they really processing I129Fs?
King: Thanks for checking in. This webpage tracks processing time for K-1s and K-2s but not K-3s or K-4s.
Hello!! I submitted I-130s for my parents in Nov. 2019. When do you think the I-130s will be adjudicated?
VCP: Which USCIS service center are the I-130s pending at?
Hello. USCIS sent a receipt notice of our I-129F K-1 Fiancé Visa on April 13, 2020.
The last update on their website about our case is from April 15, 2020. (Current status: Case was receieved)
Should we expect an update in the next 4 days as it will be 7months by that time?
PMC:
Start by checking the status of your I-129F online. Find the receipt number on your receipt notice and then check the status here: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do.
Assuming the status shows your case is still pending, you next should look at your receipt notice to identify which USCIS service center is handling your case. Then, you can look at the above table to identify the estimated processing time. Finally, if the receipt date for your I-129F is earlier than the “receipt date for a case inquiry,” you should file an inquiry with USCIS to check the status of your case. The inquiry can be made by phone to the USCIS Contact Center or by using the “Case Outside Normal Processing Time” e-Request form at https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do.
Thank you sir. Our I-129F is at the California Service Center.
PMC: So, it’s still too early to file an inquiry per the “Receipt Date for Case Inquiry.” Hopefully you’ll receive your decision soon.
Hi, why is there no I-129F processing time listed for the USCIS Texas Service Center?
Lucky: USCIS has not assigned USCIS Texas, Potomac, or Nebraska Service Center to adjudicate I-129Fs. All I-129Fs are currently being adjudicated by the California and Vermont Service Centers.
Hola Abogado…
Presenté dos formularios de I-130 para mis hijos menores de edad.En este caso mi petición es de primer órden??
Que tiempo se podría demorar???
Lo están procesando en en Centro de Servicios de Nebraska.
Gracias…
Hola Aida: Si usted es ciudadana y sus hijos menores de eded son solteros, entonces estas peticiones deben ser clasificados “immediate relatives.”
Hello – Is there a way to determine whether the California or Vermont Service Center will process my I-129F? They both have drastically different processing times so I am just curious as to what factors will determine which service center processes the application. Thanks in advance!
Laura: USCIS says these I-130s and I-129Fs are filed with USCIS lockboxes and from there routed to different Service Centers according to “workload.” https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/service-center-forms-processing.
Just to get this right, it is now taking 3 years to process I-130s through the Vermont Service Center?!? Really?? The “Receipt date for a case inquiry” is the full 39 months earlier. A year earlier it was 16 to 18 months (less than 1/2 the time). Did the people at the VSC just take a year’s vacation during Covid?
Is there any type of “National Association of Immigration Attorneys”? Can’t you guys talk to someone in charge to say “Hey, what’s the problem here?”.
BH Jones: The first thing to realize is that the Trump administration policy was to slow legal immigration, and many tactics were used to that end, including slowing down I-130 processing times.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is advocating strongly that the Biden administration restore reasonable processing times. For example, see America as a Welcoming Nation: A Roadmap, https://www.aila.org/advo-media/tools/ailastandswithdreamers-week-of-action/american-as-a-welcoming-nation-a-roadmap. And for more details, see Policy Brief: How USCIS Can Dismantle the Invisible Wall Slowing Case Adjudication, https://www.aila.org/advo-media/aila-policy-briefs/policy-brief-recommendations-for-how-uscis.
Hopefully the Biden administration will take steps to turn around the trend of increasing processing times. Here is one policy statement by the administration: FACT SHEET: President Biden Outlines Steps to Reform Our Immigration System by Keeping Families Together, Addressing the Root Causes of Irregular Migration, and Streamlining the Legal Immigration System, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/02/fact-sheet-president-biden-outlines-steps-to-reform-our-immigration-system-by-keeping-families-together-addressing-the-root-causes-of-irregular-migration-and-streamlining-the-legal-immigration-syst/
Gary, thanks for the reply and the links.
“The first thing to realize is that the Trump administration policy was to slow legal immigration, and many tactics were used to that end, including slowing down I-130 processing times.” Imagine your boss telling you to “work slower”.
Now that the I130 is taking so long at the california center, should I apply for K3 visa right after applying for I 130 ?
Probably not. See Choosing the Best Visa Strategy for a Fiancée or Spouse: K-1, K-3, or CR1/IR1 Immigrant Visa?.
Are I-129Fs still only being processed in California?
Erik: Our above table shows that I-129Fs are being processed at the California and Vermont Service Centers.