I-130: Petition for Spouse

[indianium]

Dear All,
I need your advice. My status is Permanent Resident and currently my citizenship is under process (recently fingerprinting done).
1) Is it advisable to file I-130 for spouse based on GC or should I wait till citizenship (waiting period for citizenship is approx. 7-months).
2) How much time (means postal or by contacting immigration officer in person/ by mail) I will save if I do it after citizenship.
Thanks.

[mesbahul]

If you are getting your citizen shortly, I would suggest you file the I-130 right now. Once you become a citizen, call the USCIS and upgrade your petition to that of a citizen. Once you have upgraded to citizen petion, you don't have to wait a visa number. Also, you will retain the old priority date.

[indianium]

Thanks for your suggestion. I am going to do it.