Green Card Shocker: USCIS Gives 65-Month Timeline

A green card applicant has been told to wait an unbelievable 65 months for their I-130 petition, even though the official USCIS portal lists a processing time of only four months. The huge gap has left applicants frustrated and confused.

Officer’s Response Raises Questions

When the applicant asked for clarification, the USCIS officer simply said the agency was “super busy.” This vague response highlights serious inefficiencies and poor communication within USCIS, adding to the growing frustration among applicants already facing delays.

Case Timeline and RFE Delay

The applicant had filed the I-130 petition in July 2023 after marrying a U.S. citizen. They received a Request for Evidence (RFE) in January 2024 and replied in April 2025, well beyond the 90-day deadline. This delay may have affected the case’s progress.

Experts Call Estimate Baseless

Experts say the 65-month estimate has no basis. I-130 petitions usually take between 12 and 24 months. They also warn that USCIS call centre agents are not adjudicating officers and frequently give inaccurate timelines or misleading advice.

Refiling Could Make Things Worse

Immigration lawyers caution against resubmitting the I-130, as doing so would restart the entire process and extend the delay even further. The best approach, they suggest, is to seek expert legal advice instead of relying on call centre responses.

Systemic Flaws Burden Applicants

This incident underscores how unreliable USCIS communication has become. Applicants are forced to spend thousands on legal consultations just to understand their case status, exposing major flaws in a system meant to assist immigrants—not overwhelm them.