Green Card Application Delays

Summary

After I-130 approval, the petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). Delays due to COVID-19 are common. Applying for a visitor visa may be challenging due to intent to immigrate. Contact USCIS at 800-375-5283 for live assistance. Opt for electronic notifications via the USCIS website.

Full Conversation

I applied for a green card for my husband who lives outside the U.S. and the form I-* was approved on April 5th , * but since then I have not received anymore correspondence.
Hello Monica, could you please tell me where exactly your husband is currently residing? This information will help me provide the most accurate advice.
St. Lucia
Hello Monica, the next step after the I-* approval is consular processing in St. Lucia. Factors like processing times and workload at the U.S. Embassy in St. Lucia can affect the timeline. You can check the status of your case using the USCIS online tool, or contact the U.S. Embassy directly.
They said the next step is to get a visa number but I have not received one as yet
Hello Monica, after I-* approval, the petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). It's normal not to receive immediate correspondence. The NVC will contact when a visa number is available. Please check your mail regularly, including spam folders.
Is there a backlog because of Covid?
Yes, Monica, there has been a backlog in processing immigration applications due to the COVID-* pandemic. This has resulted in delays at the National Visa Center and U.S. Embassies worldwide, including St. Lucia. Please continue to monitor your mail and the USCIS online tool for updates.
If my husband wanted to apply for a visitor visa in the mean time while he waits would that be a problem?
Hello Monica, applying for a visitor visa while waiting for the immigrant visa may be a challenge. This is because:
- The visitor visa is a non-immigrant visa and the applicant must prove they don't intend to immigrate.
- Having an approved I-* indicates an intent to immigrate, which might lead to the denial of the visitor visa.
Remember, these are general points and individual cases may vary.
Ok thanks
You're welcome, Monica! If you have any other questions in the future, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck with your husband's immigration process.
One more question please
Of course, Monica! I'm here to help. Please feel free to ask your additional question.
Is there a way to speak to a live person at USCIS ?
Yes, Monica, you can contact the USCIS Contact Center at *-*-*. They're available Monday-Friday from * a.m. to * p.m. Eastern Time. Automated information is available */*. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: *-*-*.
Ok
You're welcome, Monica! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Best of luck with your husband's immigration process.
Is there also a way to get all my notices by email instead of regular mail ?
Yes, Monica, you can opt for electronic notifications from USCIS. Here's how:
*. Create an account on the USCIS website.
*. Link your case to your account.
*. Choose to receive notifications via email/text.
Remember to regularly check your account for updates.
Thank you
You're welcome, Monica! If you need any more assistance or have further questions in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. Best of luck with your husband's immigration process.