(UNITED STATES) Confusion spread among family-based green card applicants after a widely shared report claimed a 65-month timeline for an I-130 petition, raising fears that cases could take more than five years. Immigration attorneys and caseworkers said the number did not reflect official guidance and traced it to a single applicant’s unusual case history, not a new policy by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They urged families to rely on official channels for USCIS processing times, which remain far shorter for most categories.
How the 65-month figure arose
The figure emerged from an applicant who filed in July 2023, received a Request for Evidence (RFE) in January 2024, and replied months later in April 2025. People familiar with the case said the late response likely pushed the estimate far beyond normal timeframes.
In plain terms, if a case stalls for documents—or if updates aren’t sent promptly—processing can slip. That does not mean the agency changed the clock for everyone else, and it does not mean a five-year wait is standard for a family petition.
Typical timelines and official guidance
USCIS says Form I-130—the petition used by U.S. citizens and green card holders to sponsor certain family members—generally moves within a window of months, not years, for immediate relatives.
Typical practitioner estimates for 2025:
– Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens: about 12 to 24 months
– Some categories for green card holders: may stretch longer, sometimes up to the mid-30-month range
The agency’s online case tools sometimes show shorter snapshots for initial steps, but lawyers caution those snapshots don’t tell the whole story for every file.
Why the 65-month claim is likely an outlier
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the 65-month timeline looks like a case-specific outlier driven by delays rather than a rule change. The site notes:
– USCIS call center agents are not the officers who decide cases and can give rough answers.
– Those rough answers don’t always match formal processing tools or field practices.
Experienced counsel recommend addressing the specific reason for delay—especially an RFE—rather than refiling in hopes of a faster lane. Refilling often:
– Starts the clock over
– Can bury the same issue that slowed the first attempt
– Adds expense and more time
The role of RFEs and applicant responses
Attorneys say the case tied to the 65-month timeline offers a clear lesson: respond to an RFE on time and in full.
About RFEs:
– RFEs ask for additional proof (e.g., marriage records, proof of bona fide relationship, prior status documents).
– An RFE can halt progress until the agency receives a complete answer.
– A late response can pause the file and trigger added checks when it finally arrives.
– Timely, complete responses reduce the chance of timeline expansion.
Practical advice from lawyers:
– Keep organized copies of every filing
– Track deadlines carefully
– Confirm delivery when sending responses
Common sources of confusion
Several factors often get mixed up, producing misunderstanding:
– The difference between the first receipt and the overall journey
– Comparing timelines across service centers without accounting for workload differences
– Mixing categories (e.g., immediate relatives vs. categories that depend on priority dates and country caps)
When these threads cross online, one extreme case can look like a new norm.
Current systemic picture (2025)
People inside the system say the broader picture in 2025 remains mixed:
– USCIS processing times have slowed compared with pre-pandemic years.
– Many family and employment categories face waits beyond a year.
– Still, most family-based I-130 petition cases do not approach five years.
– The agency has not announced any new policy to set waits as high as 65 months.
Factors that influence case timing:
– Workload swings at different service centers
– Visa bulletin cutoffs for certain categories
– Backlogs from older filings
These contribute to variation but do not make 65 months the norm.
Human impact and communication
The human impact is real. A U.S. citizen waiting to bring a spouse from abroad may plan major life events around each update—school calendars, housing, and jobs. When a stray comment about a multi‑year delay spreads online, it reshapes those plans overnight.
Consequences:
– Families delay signing leases or switching schools
– Employers keep temporary arrangements in place longer
– Stress and uncertainty increase
This is why advocates push for clear, consistent public communication from the agency and caution against taking a single dramatic estimate as gospel.
“Prepare for a wait—but prepare based on official tools and complete records, not on hearsay.” — senior caseworker (paraphrased)
Practical steps for applicants
For those sponsoring a spouse, parent, or child, USCIS recommends:
– Use Form I-130. The agency’s official page for Form I-130 explains eligibility, filing instructions, fees, and required evidence.
– Review official tools for USCIS processing times and keep contact information current.
– Check the USCIS site periodically rather than relying on social media or secondhand summaries.
Recommended actions:
1. Document everything the agency requested and what you sent.
2. Confirm delivery of responses (trackable methods).
3. Use detailed cover letters to point examiners to key evidence.
4. Ensure exact name spellings across all forms.
5. Request follow-up only when the case clearly falls outside posted ranges.
If a case truly sits outside posted windows, options include:
– Formal service requests
– Congressional inquiries
– Legal remedies (in rare cases)
These steps are best taken with qualified counsel who can weigh risks and goals.
Final takeaways
- The 65-month claim appears to be an outlier tied to one unusual case, not a new USCIS policy.
- For most sponsors filing an
I-130 petitiontoday, the realistic window is months to a few years, not half a decade. - Responding promptly and completely to RFEs, maintaining organized records, and using official USCIS tools will keep expectations aligned with how the system actually works and help avoid choices that could lengthen the process.
This Article in a Nutshell
A circulated 65-month I-130 processing claim originated from a single applicant’s delayed response to an RFE and does not reflect USCIS policy. Official guidance shows most immediate-relative I-130 petitions process in about 12 to 24 months, with some categories stretching into the mid-30-month range. Attorneys and analysts stress timely, complete responses to RFEs, using USCIS processing-time tools, and avoiding refiling that restarts the clock. Systemic factors—service-center workload, visa bulletin cutoffs, and backlogs—produce variation but do not make 65 months the norm.
