Q: petition filed by my brother for me was sent to second stage/updated quite quickly and after 4 months it was entered "

A: The U.S. has a visa quota system based upon the date of filing. This means that, even if approved, an applicant will have to wait many years before they can lawfully immigrate to the United States on a fourth preference visa.

The family based fourth preference category includes the sisters and brothers of US citizens. You should go to the state department visa bulletin, which is updated each month to determine how long it may take. Sometimes, these dates go backwards, which means it can take ten years or more.

A: Hello,

It's understandable to wonder about the differences in processing times between your I-130 petition and that of your brother in Pakistan. However, the variation in progress does not necessarily indicate that your case is being treated differently due to your residency in the UK or your British citizenship. Immigration cases are complex and can vary greatly for a multitude of reasons.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes each petition individually, considering various factors such as the type of relationship, the petitioner's and beneficiary's countries of birth, and the current workload. It's important to note that processing times can fluctuate due to changes in immigration policies, the volume of applications received, and administrative capabilities.

While your petition moved to the "Your case is taking longer than expected" status relatively quickly, this is not an uncommon occurrence and doesn’t provide a definitive timeline for completion. The status indicates that your petition is undergoing processing but faces some delays, which can be a normal part of the process.

Regarding your brother's petition, which has not seen progress for an extended period, it would be beneficial to directly contact USCIS for an update. Extended delays can sometimes be due to specific issues or administrative backlog that may require follow-up.

It's challenging to predict whether your case will take as long as your brother's based solely on the current status. Immigration cases can be unpredictable in their timelines. If you have concerns or need specific guidance, consulting with an immigration attorney could be helpful. They can offer more personalized advice based on the details of your case and assist in navigating the immigration process.