For those bringing over adult sons or daughters

[True Blue]

F2B Legal Permanent resident is now faster than US citizen. (at least for this month it is) - see July Visa bulletin http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/law-and-policy/bulletin/2014/visa-bulletin-for-july-2014.html. I believe a US citizen can request the faster of F1 or F2B. Can anyone confirm?

 

 

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are available for all qualified applicants; and "U" means unavailable, i.e., no numbers are available. (NOTE: Numbers are available only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.)

Family-Sponsored All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed CHINA-mainland born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES F1 01APR07 01APR07 01APR07 01FEB94 01JAN03 F2A 01MAY12 01MAY12 01MAY12 15MAR11 01MAY12 F2B 01MAY07 01MAY07 01MAY07 22NOV93 15AUG03 F3 15OCT03 15OCT03 15OCT03 08AUG93 22MAR93 F4 22DEC01 22DEC01 22DEC01 15DEC96 01JAN91

 

[Randy W]

The situation was reversed through May - by about 6 months - http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/law-and-policy/bulletin.html. You're talking about a month of waiting time out of a 7-year period. The dates in the Visa Bulletins are CURRENT dates for this month. That is, you won't know your actual waiting time until it comes up in seven years (by the current tables). THAT is the Visa Bulletin that will apply to your case - the one in which your actual priority date comes up.

 

It is mostly dependent on the number of applications and the quotas set by Congress. The categories are set by legislation, so it's doubtful you could change.

 

No one can predict the future, but the processing time for Immediate Relatives of LPR's is generally longer than for those of American citizens. Even if you are able to expedite your processing, your category is still F1.

Edited June 16, 2014 by Randy W (see edit history)

[dnoblett]

These things change, the dates noted in the bulletin do not reflect what they will be next month or even next year, there is a set number of visa numbers allotted to each class and if a class does not use all of the numbers, they get assigned to specific other classes.

 

Also a Citizen cannot arbitrarily ask to use a number allotted to a different class, only way a case gets shifted from one class to another is by petitioner or beneficiary changing status, for example (Petitioner naturalizes, or beneficiary gets married)

[True Blue]

Thank you,,Randy and Dan.

 

I guess we just need to wait the remaining 4.5 more years and see where we end up. My wife was a bit miffed because at one time the LPR line was almost a year behind the US Citizen line. Thus the shorter line was the primary impetus behind her become a US Citizen. Since she naturalized, the US Citizen line has been getting slower and slower. Now (at least for this month) the almost one year advantage for being a citizen is gone and it is actually flipped to become a 1 month disadvantage. For the past 2 years the lines have slowed. The lines move about 2-3 weeks for every month.

 

We also worry about "immigration reform" and whether that will slow the lines further for those legally applying. We also worry whether the backlash against "immigration reform" will create other issues to slow those who choose to immigrate legally. I guess there is nothing we can do, but wait.

 

We have received a RFE in my adult stepdaughter's case stating the USCIS didn't see the birthdate and birth month on the translation of her birth certificate. We sent another original with a new certified translation that clearly shows the dates (the other copy we sent earlier was a little faded) plus a copy of the family household records, a couple dozen family pictures with the wife and daughter together from birth until last year and my wife's divorce decree where the daughter's name and her birth date are clearly listed. We are hoping for the best. We will see how that turns out.

 

If USCIS does not accept this, another option is to have daughter DNA tested. The long wait continues.

 

Best regards,

 

True Blue

[tsap seui]

Hey buddy, how's it goin'?

 

Another option...cough, cough....get them some travel visas to ol' Mexico. Jes let em' walk into Murica with the rest of the South America kids.

 

Good luck and God Speed with the legal route...well, I reckon they are both "legal" routes these dayz. Kinda hard havin' to sit back and watch all the time and money we all spent gittin' our families here "the other legal way" being disgraced. I sorta feel like a fool now. LOL

 

Wenyan has met a few Chinese wimmin who got themselves tourist visas, came in to NYC and asked for political asylum...got free medical care cards, 2 year green cards....and who knows what else in bene's.

 

tsap seui

[dnoblett]

Oh yes the frustration, I know it. I had to have a discussion with my wife about how to bring her sister+family over.

 

Two possible paths..

 

1. Since wife is a citizen, she files an I-130 for her sibling which is class F4 wait time around 13 years current bulletin shows 2001 petitions
2. OR the other route immigrate her mother and then eventually her mother petitions for her sister.
   1. Wife files I-130 for mum, estimated time to green-card (+1 Year)
   2. Mum gets green-card and has to wait to apply for her citizenship (+5.5 Years)
   3. Mum becomes a citizen and then files an I-130 for her daughter F3 class (+11 years) Bulletin shows 2003 petitions.

Other option would be if her sister manages to get a visit visa, and somehow became pregnant for a second child, there is the possibility of she were to visit the USA while pregnant and then claim asylum citing China's one child rule, and have an immigration lawyer fight for her green-card, after which she would petition for her husband and child.

[True Blue]

Hey buddy, how's it goin'?

 

Another option...cough, cough....get them some travel visas to ol' Mexico. Jes let em' walk into Murica with the rest of the South America kids.

 

Good luck and God Speed with the legal route...well, I reckon they are both "legal" routes these dayz. Kinda hard havin' to sit back and watch all the time and money we all spent gittin' our families here "the other legal way" being disgraced. I sorta feel like a fool now. LOL

 

Wenyan has met a few Chinese wimmin who got themselves tourist visas, came in to NYC and asked for political asylum...got free medical care cards, 2 year green cards....and who knows what else in bene's.

 

tsap seui

Hey Tsap, you have a great point there

 

For sure the fastest way and with so many others streaming across the border she would hardly be noticed. I just need to teach her a few Spanish words or have her eat lunch at Taco Bell a couple of times and she would be set. Only possible issue would be if she got hit in the head by the swinging door at the entrance to Texas or California at the border. If questioned, she can just reply that she is from Baja-Beijing, Sonora-Shanghai or Chimichanga -Chendu and she will be welcomed with open arms. And as a bonus they might even give her a couple stray immigrant kids to care for so she won't have to go through the pain of childbirth. "America Land of the Free" and everyone wants to come in and get their free stuff!

 

Ain't it wonderful!

 

True Blue

[True Blue]

Oh yes the frustration, I know it. I had to have a discussion with my wife about how to bring her sister+family over.

 

Two possible paths..

 

1. Since wife is a citizen, she files an I-130 for her sibling which is class F4 wait time around 13 years current bulletin shows 2001 petitions
2. OR the other route immigrate her mother and then eventually her mother petitions for her sister.
   1. Wife files I-130 for mum, estimated time to green-card (+1 Year)
   2. Mum gets green-card and has to wait to apply for her citizenship (+5.5 Years)
   3. Mum becomes a citizen and then files an I-130 for her daughter F3 class (+11 years) Bulletin shows 2003 petitions.

Other option would be if her sister manages to get a visit visa, and somehow became pregnant for a second child, there is the possibility of she were to visit the USA while pregnant and then claim asylum citing China's one child rule, and have an immigration lawyer fight for her green-card, after which she would petition for her husband and child.

Dan,

 

I really like this post as it points out the futility of situation we are all in.

Option 1 filing the I-130 for sister is 13 years

Option 2 filing the I-130 for mom, then have mom file for sister is 17.5 total years if I added that up correctly

Option 3 which is a bit of technically "scamming the system" by bringing yet another child to the US (which "in theory"/but not legally will take away a spot for another legal immigrant) appears the only way around this and could be 1 year or less.

 

Would this still work with the planned loosening of the one child policy? I may be wrong but I was under the impression that Han majority can have more than 1 child if they pay fines/taxes/penalty to cover the cost of education of the 2nd or any subsequent children

 

True Blue

[True Blue]

F2B Legal Permanent resident is now faster than US citizen. (at least for this month it is) - see July Visa bulletin http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/law-and-policy/bulletin/2014/visa-bulletin-for-july-2014.html. I believe a US citizen can request the faster of F1 or F2B. Can anyone confirm?

 

 

 

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are available for all qualified applicants; and "U" means unavailable, i.e., no numbers are available. (NOTE: Numbers are available only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.)

 

Family-Sponsored All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed CHINA-mainland born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES F1 01APR07 01APR07 01APR07 01FEB94 01JAN03 F2A 01MAY12 01MAY12 01MAY12 15MAR11 01MAY12 F2B 01MAY07 01MAY07 01MAY07 22NOV93 15AUG03 F3 15OCT03 15OCT03 15OCT03 08AUG93 22MAR93 F4 22DEC01 22DEC01 22DEC01 15DEC96 01JAN91

 

[Randy W]

The CURRENT dates for F1 and F2B are 15OCT10 and 15SEP10, respectively - see Visa Bulletin for April, 2017 - https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-april-2017.html

 

Still only one month apart - but then again, you didn't ask anything.

[True Blue]

My friends, see previous repost of 3 year old post above.

 

I am happy to report that in just 3 months of the current administration, this situation has totally turned around by almost 2 years, and now the processing time for US citizens bringing in family members is faster than if my wife had remained a green card holder. The lines are moving again and have started moving faster we are now about a half year of my unmarried adult step daughter having a visa slot available.

 

This shift is very welcome news and we hope to have the family together again before the end of the year. It's been a long ten years, but the recent line movement will likely result in a 10 1/2 year wait rather than the 12 year wait we had originally anticipated.

 

I don't know if the recent speeding up is due to fewer illegal immigrants, less favorable US economic conditions that have caused legal immigrant applicants to abandon their place in line, or just more empathesis on processing legal immigrants more efficiently and faster but whatever the cause, we are very grateful. Thank you, US government for getting legal immigration process moving again! And renewed hope to all who are sponsoring loved ones to come over and are in the legal queues set up to accomplish this.

 

Also a big thank you to all here who take the time to give their time and answer questions for those of us who have some difficulty understanding all of the forms and requirements to bring family members to the USA. You are the best!

 

True Blue

[True Blue]

The CURRENT dates for F1 and F2B are 15OCT10 and 15SEP10, respectively - see Visa Bulletin for April, 2017 - https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-april-2017.html

 

Still only one month apart - but then again, you didn't ask anything.

 

Sorry Randy, In my excitement, I got so excited that I fat fingered that post and reposted without comments. The May Visa bulletin just came out and the chains have moved as surely as if Bart Starr was leading a 1960s Green Bay Packers drive down field. The goal line is in sight and we can smell the sweat smell of the end zone turf. Barring any piles of cow poop on the field, we expect to finish this 10 1/2 year drive and see the referee hold up his arms with touchdown before Christmas. Our family will be united (not referring to the Airline) again and it's a beautiful thing!

 

I want others in the same situation who have been patiently waiting in line, to keep their resolve. There is hope!

 

True Blue

[Randy W]

 

The CURRENT dates for F1 and F2B are 15OCT10 and 15SEP10, respectively - see Visa Bulletin for April, 2017 - https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-april-2017.html

 

Still only one month apart - but then again, you didn't ask anything.

 

Sorry Randy, In my excitement, I got so excited that I fat fingered that post and reposted without comments. The May Visa bulletin just came out and the chains have moved as surely as if Bart Starr was leading a 1960s Green Bay Packers drive down field. The goal line is in sight and we can smell the sweat smell of the end zone turf. Barring any piles of cow poop on the field, we expect to finish this 10 1/2 year drive and see the referee hold up his arms with touchdown before Christmas. Our family will be united (not referring to the Airline) again and it's a beautiful thing!

 

I want others in the same situation who have been patiently waiting in line, to keep their resolve. There is hope!

 

True Blue

 

 

 

It's unclear which row in the visa bulletin that you're looking at - they all seem to have changed by only one or two months.

 

But I'll mention that the dates are determined by quotas set by Congress, and by how many people have applied in a particular category.

 

That is, if the quota is 20 people per month, and only 10 have applied for two months in a row, then the Visa Bulletin date moves up by the 2 months.