I-130 Processing dates

[khushibose]

Hi,

My husband is a permanent resident and I am on student visa. He filed for my I-130 in 2003 but we haven't heard anything yet except for the acknowlegdement. I periodically keep checking the processing dates for I-130 at California Service Center and it showed Jan 1, 2005 for couple of weeks and then suddenly last week it changed to Dec 22, 2004..Is that possible that the dates can be postponed? What is happening?

[khushibose]

Any reponse would be much appreciated...

Thanks.

[visaapplicant]

Sometimes the dates do go back. Even after I130 approval, you will have to wait till visa numer becomes available for your category per the visa bulletin. And that may be the reason why CSC has not processed your I130. When the visa bulletin dates approach closer to your priority date you will want to follow up with USCIS via infopass, calling etc. if I130 is not already approved by then.

On the other hand, if your husband were to become a citizen, you can upgrade your petition and CSC should approve soon thereafter since a visa number will be available immediately for spouse of US citizen.

[gunt]

Originally Posted by khushibose

My husband is a permanent resident and I am on student visa. He filed for my I-130 in 2003 but we haven't heard anything yet except for the acknowlegdement.

Currently I-130s filed by permanent residents on behalf of their spouses are retrogressed back to Sept 2001. You have a very long wait. Perhaps your husband will become a citizen before the retrogression moves to 2003. IF he is a citizen then retrogression does not apply.

Family Rest of World CHINA INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
1st 22APR01 22APR01 22APR01 01JUL93 15NOV91
2A 01SEP01 01SEP01 01SEP01 01DEC99 01SEP01

You should check the visa bulletin.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bu...etin_1360.html

[khushibose]

Thanks a million for the responses...

Nov 2007 will be five years since my husband got his green card and as I understand after 5 years of permanent resident status one becomes a US citizen. This might be a very naive question. What is the procedure having a green card to become citizen?

Thanks.