How many years (min to max range) would it take for my mom's US petition for me when I was 19 to be granted?

She is a greencard holder. I am already a registered nurse in the Phils. and I want to work in the USA and stay with my mom. Is it more advisable to drop the immigrant petition and get a work visa to get there faster? Or is it worth the wait? I heard the petition is normally granted 5 years, but there is someone I know who was petitioned at 19 and got there by 30 already, so now I am frustrated for that might happen to me! Pls. help.

George L

It still takes about 5 years. since you were under 21 at the time of filing, it will remain in the F2a immigrant visa category, good thing for you, too, as the F2b category has a much longer wait. and better still, even if your mother becomes an American, you would remain in the F2a category. For Filipinos, it's actually detrimental if your parent becomes an American, as it extends the waiting period further still. however, there's a special provision for Filipinos in the Child Status Protection Act that allows them to retain the F2 category.

edit: But, given that she filed the petition about 4 years ago, this would probably be faster than trying to do a work petition at this point. you'd need to pass the boards first as you'd need to be licensed in the US to be hireable, and then wait for the petition, and that can take quite a while itself. By the way, you would not have to drop the immigrant visa case to do a work petition. You can have both active at the same time and take what comes in first. or, you could go on a work visa and then adjust status to legal permanent resident when your petition becomes valid. so, don't drop the immigrant petition.

george L. is right. get the work visa but dont drop the petition. good luck.

verne k

According to the State Department Visa Bulletin for the PI children of legal resident are getting visas who were on the waiting list prior to
7-1-04. For those over age 21 and unmarried 12-1-97. If your mother
becomes a citizen while you are under 21 and unmarried theres is no
waiting list. After age 21 the priority date is 7-15-93.

You fastest route to getting a visa would likely be your qualification as a registered nurse.

Banana

Because you are a registered nurse you may be able to come here on a specialized work visa. I would not advise dropping the petition for that though...unless you talk to a lawyer. It can take up to 10 years...I know that isn't want you want to hear, but it's true. At the least I would say 2 years. Immigration is trying to make the process quicker. I can not stress this enough....please, please, please make sure you hire a lawyer or at least have a consultation to make sure you are on the right track.

wham

how many years are the waiting times for f2b philippines?

I heard it's 10 years. :|

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