In your site, under processing times, the Texas Service Center @ Feb, 01 reports they are now working I-485 , Change of Status from July, 1999.
My wife's change of status was filed in Nov, 1998 and we are told (and recent news article confirms) the Houston, Texas processing time is now over 3 1/2 years. Who furnishes the information you report ?

Last year there was pending legislation requiring INS to speed up the proces - what happened with it? Thanks

Dear Waiting:

You are referring to two different types of applications, at two different offices. If your wife filed her adjustment of status application at the Houston INS office, the current waiting time is 1278 days, or approximately 3 1/2 years.

If the application for adjustment (business cases only) was filed with the Texas Service Center, the waiting time is approximately two years.

All of the dates that we publish come directly from the Immigration Service, and are posted immediately upon receipt. We currently do not post the waiting times for all of the local immigration offices, because they are not always accurate, but we will also be posting those times in the not too distant future.

Legislation has passed requiring INS to process these applications within 6 months, but as of yet no funding has been approved to pay for the personnel required to process the cases.

Obviously, it is ridiculous that anyone has to wait more than one year for an adjustment application, much less 3 1/2 years. Hopefully, something will be done to remedy this situation in the near future. Good luck.

Do you think they will reduce the waiting times for Brothers and Sisters of U.S Citizens?

Dear Kelly:

Waiting times develop because there are only a limited number of visas available in the different preference categories.

The only way that waiting times in the brother-sister category will be reduced is for Congress to grant more visas in this category, or for less people to apply. Neither is likely to happen anytime in the foreseeable future. Good luck.

Ok thank you. I have another question,if my Sister filed a petition for me and I decide to return to my home Country when I get the approval notice to adjust my status there would I be allowed to do that? Would she have to be there at the time for the interview which would definately be over ten years. I am aware that I would not be able to come visit her here for ten years because of my overstayed visit three years ago. Awaiting your reply.

Dear Kelly:

If your sister petitions for you, you can return to your country and wait for the priority date to become current over there. When the date becomes current, you can obtain your immigrant visa from the consulate in your country. There is no requirement that your sister be in your country for you to obtain your permanent residence.

As you stated, you would be subject to the 10-year bar, unless the law changes, or you obtain a waiver. Good luck.

I am a US citizen who wants to sponsor her parents for a greencard. My parents are here on vacations and I am unsure whether I should apply fo adjustment of status and have them wait here or have them wait in their native country. How long does it take to get a greencard issued, if they are here, and how long would it take to get a work permit issued?

If we decide to file the petition and have them wait abroad, how long would the process take? Would they be able to travel to the US to visit me while the greencard applications are being processed? They have valid tourist visas and constantly come to visit.

What is faster: to wait here or in your native country? How long does it take to get a work permit? We are in Miami, FL.

Thank you so much !

Dear Anonymous:

It will probably be faster to process their applications for adjustment of status in the United States. You can check the current processing times by going to our Home page and clicking on INS Local Office Processing Times.

Once they file for adjustment of status, it will take about 90 days for them to obtain work permits.

If you decide to process their applications through the consulate, you must first get I-130 petitions approved, and then process the rest of the case through the consulate. To check I-130 processing times, go to our Home page and click on Service Center Processing Times.

If they do process their cases through the consulate, they should have no problem in coming and going as bona fide visitors for pleasure. Good luck.

I am Green Card holder.I plan to get married to
non US citizen.How long it take for US visa to
be issued to would-be spose ,in recent years?
Please tell me what you know from you experience.

Dear Slavik:

It will take about 5-7 years. Of course, if you become a US citizen, then she will be immediately eligible for permanent residence. Good luck.

I am an American citizen by birth. Recently I married a Cambodian in Cambodia. She plans to come here to the US with the K-3 visa. How long does the entire process take? Is there a fee that can be paid for expediting it?

My brother, who is a permanent citizen of United States had sponsered me 12 years ago & now I've got the reply from the US Immigration office.They asked me whether I'm willing to immigrate to US or not. & I said yes. Now They've sent me another form asking to give the required fees for immigration. What is the time period for giving the fees? How long will it take to get the US Visa?

dear immigrationhelp
my category is f4
my file has reached to mumbai.
so when am i to get the appointment letter.
i am worried as my son is turning to 21 this year.
so please tell me the way to make the procedure faster.
thanking you.