Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

My sister’s I-130 was approved back in 2012 and she did not come. Now I re-apply for her and wondering if the waiting period will be shortened because of her “approved history”? I am a US citizen.


Asked on 5/13/17, 12:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Marlene Hemmings Marlene Hemmings, Attorney at Law

When an I-130 is approved, it does not give the Beneficiary an immigrant visa (greencard). It just puts them in line to get one in the future.

Once her priority date (date you filed the I-130) becomes current, the NVC will notify you & start the consular processing case. You should NOT file a new I-130 petition!

Currently, petitions for siblings are backlogged 13+ yrs (depending on which country she is from). So, if you filed in 2012, she is not going to immigrate any time soon. Sorry to be the barer of bad news.

You can check the visa bulletin at:

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin.html & look under "F4" for "Final Action Dates".

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Answered on 5/13/17, 7:57 am


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