Just filed I-130 for spouse; question about processing timeline

[hopeful1111 0]

Hello all:

I am a U.S. citizen (by birth ) and I just completed and mailed the I-130 (along with supporting documentation) to the Chicago Lockbox on December 28, 2015. I am petitioning to bring my husband here to the United States. He has been living and working in Bermuda for eight years (on a work permit). However, he is Jamaican by birth. I just have a few questions:

1) will my husband be able to interview in Bermuda? or will he have to go home to Jamaica to do so

2) Moreover, does anyone have an estimate on the timeline for processing? If he is interviewing in Bermuda, will it be based on how many people are also waiting to receive an interview/visa from the Bermudian consulate?

Thank you in advance for any insight, advice, or personal anecdotes.

All the best and Happy New year!

Naomi

[aleful 1,905]

hi

as long as he is legally in Bermuda, he can have his interview there, the process of a USC spouse takes around a year

[hopeful1111 0]

Ok thank you! he is legally in bermuda so he will be able to interview there. Hopefully it does not take an entire year but I appreciate the information.

[JFH 12,189]

It takes about the same for every one (with small regional variations). The majority of the application is handled in the USA and the same place (multiple locations but the same department) processs all applications using the same system, regardless of where the beneficiary comes from. So your file will be in the same system as mine and everyone else's here. It's the final stage where it is sent to the local embassy or consulate but by that stage most of the work has been done.

A year is about right for the timeframe. You can see the timelines that others have created that have gone through or who are going through the process to get an idea of how long each stage is and what is likely to happen when.

Rest assured that we are all going through the same. We all desperately want to be with our spouses. To be fair to everyone, all applications are handled the same way when the petitioner lives in the USA and the beneficiary lives overseas. We are all in exactly the same boat. And we understand the frustration.

Edited January 1, 2016 by JFH

[hopeful1111 0]

Thank you for your response JFH. It makes perfect sense to process them in the order received domestically.

I will just be patient. I should have started this process long ago (we got married in June of 2014). Best of luck to you and your spouse and everyone else going through the process as well !

[morgan.croft 210]

Thank you for your response JFH. It makes perfect sense to process them in the order received domestically.

I will just be patient. I should have started this process long ago (we got married in June of 2014). Best of luck to you and your spouse and everyone else going through the process as well !

You might actually be better off in the long run to have waited. If you would have filed right away after marriage, since you would have been married less than 2 years when he crossed over, your husband would have received a 2 year conditional (CR1) visa... Since by the time you get approved, you will have been married more than 2 years, he will receive an Immediate Resident (IR1) Visa, which is valid for 10 years.

[hopeful1111 0]

You might actually be better off in the long run to have waited. If you would have filed right away after marriage, since you would have been married less than 2 years when he crossed over, your husband would have received a 2 year conditional (CR1) visa... Since by the time you get approved, you will have been married more than 2 years, he will receive an Immediate Resident (IR1) Visa, which is valid for 10 years.

Thank you so much for the information Morgan ! I had no idea that there were different types of visas issued to spouses. I am learning that everything happens for a reason because I just finished law school in May and therefore, I had no income for three years.

I started working at my current job this past April which means I will be receiving my first work related W2 (and filing my first income tax return) for the first time in years.

After doing some research I realize it would have been so much more difficult to try to complete this process without a job. So everything truly does happen in it's own perfect timing.

I see you are from Valdosta. I went to undergrad in Albany, Georgia so its cool to see someone else from South Georgia on here. Its also encouraging to see how far along in the process you are.

Thanks again for your help and best of luck on the completion of you and your spouse's immigration process.

[morgan.croft 210]

Small world ? I'm definitely looking forward to the warmer weather. I enjoy it down there ?

Thanks and good luck to you as well!

[Crslam 0]

Small world ? I'm definitely looking forward to the warmer weather. I enjoy it down there ?

Thanks and good luck to you as well!

Oh I have the same CC date as you do, hopefully can get our interview date assigned soon!

Happy new year!