tijbedi

How much longer does it take after I become a U.S. Citizen. What are the steps I would have to follow? As of now, the I-130 Petition is approved and the application is in India waiting for a F2A category priority date. But once I upgrade my status to a Citizen, what happens next? What much longer would it take?

ian-mstm

Once you become a US citizen, your spouse will no longer be subject to a quota so a visa will become available immediately... and your petition will then take only as long as it normally would for a US citizen - probably 6 or 7 months rather than 6 or 7 years.

Ian

tijbedi

Okay thanks, but also, in my case my wife's I-130 has already been approved and was transferred from the NVC to the U.S consulate where she currently is. We were just waiting for the Priority Date to become current.

So now can't they just pickup from there? or Would I need to file a new I-130? Can't I just upgrade the application and then as the F2A quota wont apply to her anymore, and they would just proceed with the rest of the process that was left i.e. medicals and interview

I hope I am clear, please let me know if I could provide anymore information.

Thanks alot for you help in advance.

ian-mstm

You don't need to file a new I-130 and nothing else in the process will change. When the time comes, write a letter to USCIS and send a copy to the consulate informing them of your change of status - they will upgrade the application and things should start to move more quickly.

Ian