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ImmigrationFamily-based

How long is an I-130 for a spouse actually taking right now?

CAj_ramos1 month ago

Filed I-130 for my wife (abroad). What's a realistic timeline in 2026?

1 reply

✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first

Linh Nguyen avatarLinh NguyenVerified Attorney1 month ago

Honest answer for spouses of U.S. citizens (immediate relatives, no visa-cap wait): I-130 approval is taking 8-14 months at most service centers right now. After approval, consular processing through the National Visa Center + embassy interview adds another 4-8 months depending on country. Total 12-22 months is realistic. Spouses of green card holders (F2A category) have a 1-3 year additional wait depending on year and country. The single biggest delay-causer is missing or inconsistent documents on the I-130 itself — clean filing now saves months later. Check USCIS processing times for your specific service center.

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Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.