Immediate Relative Visa (IR-2, IR-3, IR-4, IR-5, F4) Processing Timeline

For Parents of U.S. Citizens (IR-5 Visa)

Step 1: USCIS Receipt Notice

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 4 weeks


✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS acknowledges receipt of your I-130 petition for your parent.

 

  • You receive a receipt number to track your case.

 

Step 2: USCIS Approval of I-130

 

📅Timeframe: 14–15 months (USCIS estimate as of May 2025)


✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS reviews your petition for your parent.

 

  • Background checks and relationship verification take place.

 

  • Approval is issued, or USCIS may request additional evidence (RFE).

 

Step 3: Case Sent to NVC

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 3 weeks


✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS forwards the approved I-130 to the National Visa Center (NVC).

 

  • The NVC assigns a case number and prepares your petition for the embassy.

Step 4: NVC Processing & Embassy Transfer

 

📅 Timeframe: 3 – 5 months


✅ What Happens:

  • The petitioner submits the DS-260 form, financial documents, and civil documents to NVC.

 

  • NVC conducts a completeness review before forwarding the case to the U.S. Embassy.

 

  • Once complete, NVC schedules an interview at the appropriate U.S. consulate.

 

Step 5: Embassy Contact to Interview Date

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 2 months


✅ What Happens:

 

  • The U.S. embassy schedules a visa interview.

 

  • The beneficiary completes a medical exam and submits any additional documents.

 

Step 6: Interview & Visa Decision

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 6 weeks


✅ What Happens:

  • Your parent attends the interview.

 

  • The consular officer reviews the case and either approves, denies, or requests further documents.

 

  • Upon approval, the IR-5 visa is issued, and the passport is returned with the visa stamp.

 

Step 7: U.S. Entry & Green Card Processing

📅 Timeframe: 2 – 4 weeks after entry


✅ What Happens:

  • Your parent enters the U.S. with the IR-5 visa.

 

  • The Green Card is automatically processed and mailed within 2 – 4 weeks after arrival.

 

For Unmarried Children Under 21 (IR-2) and Orphans (IR-3, IR-4)

Step 1: USCIS Receipt Notice

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 4 weeks


✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS acknowledges receipt of your I-130 or I-600 petition for your child.

 

  • You receive a receipt number to track your case.

 

Step 2: USCIS Approval of Petition

 

📅 Timeframe:

  • IR-2 (Child of U.S. Citizen): 8 – 12 months

 

  • IR-3/IR-4 (Orphan Adoption Cases): 6 – 12 months

 

✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS reviews the child’s petition.
  • Background checks and relationship verification take place.

 

  • Approval is issued, or USCIS may request additional evidence (RFE).

 

Step 3: Case Sent to NVC

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 3 weeks


✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS forwards the approved petition to the National Visa Center (NVC).

 

  • The NVC assigns a case number and prepares your petition for the embassy.

 

Step 4: NVC Processing & Embassy Transfer

 

📅 Timeframe: 2 – 4 months


✅ What Happens:

  • The petitioner submits the DS-260 form, financial documents, and civil documents to NVC.

 

  • NVC reviews the case before forwarding it to the U.S. embassy or consulate.

 

Step 5: Embassy Contact to Interview Date

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 2 months


✅ What Happens:

  • The U.S. embassy schedules a visa interview.

 

  • The child completes a medical exam and submits any additional documents.

 

Step 6: Interview & Visa Decision

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 6 weeks

 

✅ What Happens:

  • Your child attends the interview.

 

  • The consular officer reviews the case and either approves, denies, or requests further documents.

 

  • Upon approval, the IR-2, IR-3, or IR-4 visa is issued, and the passport is returned with the visa stamp.

 

Step 7: U.S. Entry & Green Card Processing

 

📅 Timeframe: 2 – 4 weeks after entry


✅ What Happens:

  • The child enters the U.S. with the IR visa.

 

  • The Green Card is automatically processed and mailed within 2 – 4 weeks after arrival.

 

For Siblings of U.S. Citizens (F4 Visa)

Step 1: USCIS Receipt Notice

 

📅 Timeframe: 1 – 4 weeks


✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS acknowledges receipt of your I-130 petition for your brother or sister.

 

  • You receive a receipt number to track your case.

 

Step 2: USCIS Approval of I-130

 

📅 Timeframe: 13 – 16 years (due to visa backlog)


✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS reviews your petition for your sibling.

 

  • Background checks and relationship verification take place.

 

  • Approval is issued, or USCIS may request additional evidence (RFE).

 

Step 3: Case Sent to NVC & Wait for Visa Availability

 

📅 Timeframe: Years (based on priority date)


✅ What Happens:

  • USCIS forwards the approved I-130 to the National Visa Center (NVC).

 

  • The case remains on hold until a visa number becomes available under the F4 family preference category.

 

Final Steps (Same as IR visas once a visa number is available)

 

📅 Total Estimated Time: 13 – 16+ years


✅ After a visa number is available, processing resumes with NVC document submission, embassy interview, and U.S. entry similar to the IR visa process.

 

With Smart USA Visa, you can reduce delays by ensuring your petition is error-free and USCIS-compliant.

 

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