How Long Does Family-Based Immigration Take in North Carolina? 2025

One of the most common ways for individuals to acquire a legal immigration status in the United States is family-based immigration. Whether you are a sponsor for a sibling, spouse, child, or parent, you will need to work through multiple steps involving different government agencies, like the National Visa Center. Many ask, “How long does family-based immigration take in North Carolina?” The answer is dependent on various factors that are specific to each case.

Immigration cases are highly complex, and processing times and policies are ever-evolving. Therefore, it’s crucial to work with a skilled family-based immigration lawyer in North Carolina. They can help you proactively avoid delays, correctly fill out your application the first time, and estimate a timeline based on the specific details of your situation.

Key Factors Influencing Family-Based Immigration Timelines

By understanding the main factors that influence family-based immigration timelines, you can have a better sense of how long you may expect your case to take in North Carolina. An experienced attorney can break down the following to provide you with an accurate estimate of your potential timeline:

Petitioner/Beneficiary Relationship

The type of family relationship that exists between the petitioner and the beneficiary is one of the more crucial factors that impact immigration timelines. The petitioner is the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and the beneficiary is the family member who is receiving sponsorship.

Compared to extended family members who apply under family preference categories with annual visa limits, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens tend to experience shorter wait times.

The Immigration Status of the Petitioner

Lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, commonly experience longer processing timelines compared to U.S. citizens who are sponsoring the same relative – whether they be a spouse, parent, or minor child. Generally, petitions that are filed by U.S. citizens are prioritized more highly than those filed by green card holders.

Visa Availability and Country of Origin

Family members who are applying from countries with high volumes of applicants can deal with longer processing times due to backlogs in visas. Certain countries have an annual cap on the number of visas that can be awarded, which can lead to even further delays. Countries that commonly have longer waiting periods include India, Mexico, and China.

Delays in applications can be due to significant backlogs, which may mean that it takes longer to approve positions or schedule interviews. Further factors can include changes in government policy, a shortage of staff, or increased scrutiny and screening requirements.

The Application’s Accuracy and Completeness

Mistakes in key documentation – in addition to incomplete forms or any missing evidence – can cause Requests for Evidence (RFE)s to be issued, which can significantly delay an individual’s family-based immigration process. By working with an experienced immigration lawyer, individuals can make sure their applications are submitted correctly the first time, avoiding unnecessary delays or even rejections.

It’s Important to Speak With a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer

As processing times are influenced by so many factors, it’s crucial to get a more accurate estimate by consulting an experienced immigration attorney. They can determine your eligibility, get you on the fastest immigration route, provide you with a detailed timeline, and explain what to expect through each step of the process.

FAQs

Q: What Is Family-Based Immigration?

A: Family-based immigration allows United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to bring specific family members to the United States. This process involves sponsorship for legal residency through several means. Family-based immigration is one of the most common forms of immigration in the country, with cases ranging in complexity and processing periods.

Q: How Long Does Family-Based Immigration Take in North Carolina?

A: How long a family-based immigration case may take in North Carolina is dependent on various factors, including the:

• Relationship the applicant has with the beneficiary
• Status of the sponsor
• Caseload at the responsible USCIS office

Family-based immigration applications for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, such as parents, unmarried children under 21, and spouses, tend to move more quickly. However, family preference categories can take years.

Q: What Are the Family-Based Visa Categories?

A: There are two main categories of family-based visas, which are immediate relatives and family preference categories. As there are no visa caps on immediate relative visas, processing is faster. Family preference categories, though, have visa caps and therefore longer processing. Processing times can increase depending on whether the visa is F1, F2A, F2B, F3, or F4.

Q: What Factors Affect Processing Times?

A: The specific factors that may impact the timeline of a family-based immigration case can include:

• The caseload at the USCIS office
• The category of visa being applied for
• The country of origin of the applicant
• Processing times for security clearances and background checks
• The available visas

An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can explain the specific factors that may impact the processing time of your case, thus providing you with a clearer timeline.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Marriage?

A: How long it takes to get a green card through marriage is dependent on whether your spouse is located inside or outside the United States. If they are applying from within the United States for an Adjustment of Status, the process is typically faster, as going through consular processing outside the U.S. can take years. An experienced immigration lawyer can optimize your process to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Improve Your Family-Based Immigration Process With an Efficient Attorney

If your loved one is already located in the U.S. or if they are abroad, you are likely wondering how long it will take for them to receive the immigration status they need. Family-based immigration cases can seem complex and overwhelming. The processes involved are difficult to navigate, especially if you do not have any experience with them.

However, a skilled attorney from Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, can simplify and streamline the process. We have managed many of these cases throughout our careers, and we can do the same for you. Reach out to an experienced attorney from our firm today to learn more about your options.