I-130 for parents - interview in US or consular interview in Istanbul, Turkey?

[nash123]

Good evening all,

Newbie here... I am planning to send in the I485 and I130 for my parents. We are in Chicago.

In terms of the length of processing, do you suggest consular processing (them getting called to the interview in Istanbul, Turkey), or having them stay here in Chicago and handle all the steps in Chicago? I had heard that the consular processing may take shorter?

Thank you all in advance.

[rayb]

Being processed for a visa in Turkey will take about 9-13 months from submittal of an I-130. The I-485 should not be submitted for this process, as you would be wasting the $1,070 fee.

Conversion from their existing visas, using the I-130 and I-485, in the U.S. will take about 6 months.

--Ray B

Good evening all,

Newbie here... I am planning to send in the I485 and I130 for my parents. We are in Chicago.

In terms of the length of processing, do you suggest consular processing (them getting called to the interview in Istanbul, Turkey), or having them stay here in Chicago and handle all the steps in Chicago? I had heard that the consular processing may take shorter?

Thank you all in advance.

[nash123]

Thank you. Is the timeline for consular processing your estimate, or do you know of recent cases with this timeline?

Thank you again.

[rayb]

The timeframe estimates are based on petitions I submit and follow through completion, about 5 or 6 every month. For visa applicants in most countries, these are realistic estimates. But for some countries, there are special problems which can result in delays. I'm currently working with a spouse in Turkey that I am following with interest.

--Ray B

Thank you. Is the timeline for consular processing your estimate, or do you know of recent cases with this timeline?

Thank you again.

[nash123]

Got it... Thank you. Would you also say the 6 months for AOS is applicable to Chicago? I was seeing processing times of about 12 months for Chicago. Maybe things got quicker recently?

[rayb]

Actual Adjustment of Status interview dates vary from original submittal dates based on availability of interview slots at local offices. For fiancee visa Adjustment cases, a certain percentage are allowed to waive interviews, but the resulting Green Card delivery seems to be delayed up to 10 months from original submittal.

Otherwise, Adjustment interviews average about 6 months from original submittal of I-485 paperwork.The longest waits I have seen appear to be in Florida, where local offices are either understaffed or the prevailing attitude may be that Adjustment completions are not that important (just my way of making a joke).

While the USCIS publishing times (for Chicago) are reported as 10 months, I'm not sure you can assume this to be ongoing and applying to all Adjustment cases. I've only had a handful of Adjustments, mostly from K1 visas, interviewed at Chicago in the last couple of years, and I didn't hear any complaints of excessive waiting periods, but my packages may not have been representative of all Adjustment interviews at Chicago.

--Ray B

Got it... Thank you. Would you also say the 6 months for AOS is applicable to Chicago? I was seeing processing times of about 12 months for Chicago. Maybe things got quicker recently?

[nash123]

Thank you. Much appreciated. I guess we can do the consular route since it is always possible to file the 485 later on... So many unknowns....

[rayb]

The Consulate processing and Stateside processing are mutually exclusive. If your I-130 is processed abroad, you won't have to file an I-485 after your relative gets an immigrant visa.

But if your relative is in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa (B2 ?), and you file the I-130, but not the I-485, while she is here, and she subsequently leaves the U.S. after her allowable visa visit expires, she might be faced with a bar from reentry because of her visa overstay.

--Ray B

Thank you. Much appreciated. I guess we can do the consular route since it is always possible to file the 485 later on... So many unknowns....

[nash123]

Yes, you are correct. I think I didn't make myself clear. They will return back home today anyway (on B2 visa) so we will just do the I130 and see how long it takes. Thank you.