I-130

[Tina mcdowel 0]

Hello! Last August, I submitted an application for my married sister, her husband, and their child. Just last week, USCIS granted approval, and today we received the welcome letter from NVC regarding the payment of fees. Once we settle the fees, should we expect her interview to be scheduled relatively soon, or could it potentially take 10-15 years?

Additionally, my sister is expecting a baby. Would it be advisable to delay the payment until after the baby is born so I can include the baby’s documentation as well?

[Crazy Cat 41,975]

4 hours ago, Tina mcdowel said:

Once we settle the fees, should we expect her interview to be scheduled relatively soon, or could it potentially take 10-15 years?

20+ years.  I-130 approval is just the first part.  There is a very long queue.  Waiting for a visa number to become available will take a very long time.  Siblings (F4 category) with I-130 submission dates of Aug 1, 2007 are just now receiving visa numbers. 

Edited September 18 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,975]

Visa Bulletin For October 2024 (state.gov)

[Tina mcdowel 0]

Ok thank you cat, its just when my sister received the welcome letter i was not expecting her i-130 approval this early neither the NVC welcome letter so i was thinking is it possible for her to come early in the US. Since every cases are different 

[Lil bear 4,248]

25 minutes ago, Tina mcdowel said:

Ok thank you cat, its just when my sister received the welcome letter i was not expecting her i-130 approval this early neither the NVC welcome letter so i was thinking is it possible for her to come early in the US. Since every cases are different 

Unfortunately , no. The I130 simply acknowledges that you can legally petition her for a visa.. but that will now sit at this stage until she reaches the top of the very big and slow moving pile of beneficiaries .. due to the limit on the number of these visas available annually and the backlog of applications 

[appleblossom 2,677]

4 hours ago, Tina mcdowel said:

Ok thank you cat, its just when my sister received the welcome letter i was not expecting her i-130 approval this early neither the NVC welcome letter so i was thinking is it possible for her to come early in the US. Since every cases are different 

 

Every case is different, but only once she actually is eligible to apply for a visa - and that's a long way off as said above. 

 

It's a shame that USCIS approved the I-130 so quickly as that may mean her child ages out, but all you can do is keep an eye on the VB and see how things progress over the next decade or two. 

 

Best of luck.