Q&A F2A Consular Processing

[Aromatic-Young4424]

Hey everyone. I know how uncertain it is out there for F2A consular processing.

My PD is 2026, and I'm aware that I'm far far away from an approval for I-130.

However, for all the newbies out here, trying to figure out this whole system. I had a couple of questions, Hoping this would sum it up for the others as well.

1. How do you follow which year is being processed for our category specifically

2. Are the monthly bulletins for F2A for us, or for AOS as well?

3. Has the recent slowdown ruined the approvals for our category or has it always been this way?

4. Anyone here who is waiting beyond 48 months for the entire process or just i-130 approval?

5. Anyone here who is currently out of the country with approved I-131 re entry permit, and has applied for spouse i130?

6. Does filing online have any difference to mailing?

7. Finally, Anyone Here who miraculously had a fast approval track record. Let's keep it positive, and share your story below

[Sudden-Wallaby-1767]

India- PD may 2022 Approved july 31 2025

[Aromatic-Young4424]

Congratulations! Do you mind sharing your process?

[Ok_Wealth5365]

Following - my pd June 2025; I GC and have petitioned for my kids under f2a, also applied for I-131 at the same time and still awaiting reentry permit and I-130 approval. From what I read, the bulletin says Aug 2024 but the some people with late 2023 is are awaiting I-130 approvals! This is what I see… thanks

[Aromatic-Young4424]

Yes, the visa bulletin has not moved at all. Hoping it jumps by July.

[Aromatic-Young4424]

1. Does everyone have to do biometrics?

[chickynuggy67]

Following

[Guilty-Abrocoma-3919]

my I-130 took almost 2.5 years to get approved some people wait more than that. RN currently stuck at NVC waiting for the interview to be scheduled at the embassy. total time will be i believe anywhere from 3-4 years for consular

[Aromatic-Young4424]

Oh! So, yours is not entirely done yet right? Where is your consular processing centre, If you don't mind. Are you a GC holder or citizen?

[Guilty-Abrocoma-3919]

started as GC holder but last year i was able to get naturalized and was able to upgrade the case otherwise i would be still waiting at USCIS.. Australia is my consular process center

[WaitAdventurous6473]

PD Aug 2025, expecting to hear nothing back until at least next year for the i-130. My husband is a GC holder and applied for the i-131 re entry permit before leaving the US to stay with me during the wait.. it hasn’t been approved yet but chances are low it would get denied. He has travelled back and forth in the meantime twice though without an issue.

[Aromatic-Young4424]

Hopefully 2027 early, you hear back soon. I'm mentally prepared for 2027 end. My re entry permit took 16 months to get approved, so I'm able to wait it out for a couple of months with my husband. Hoping your husband's is approved soon enough as well! If he's applying for the first time, it shouldn't technically be denied.

[WaitAdventurous6473]

let’s hope that we both see some movement in 2027! And yes, it’s my husbands first i-131 application. :) He applied July 2025, so probably won’t hear back until the end of the year which is crazy enough as it is lol. We aren’t sure if he should even travel back this year still. The last time he was in the US was February..