Extended periods of “actively reviewing” are very common for I-130 petitions and usually do not indicate a problem. USCIS processes thousands of family petitions, and many sit in this status for months or even longer. Unless you receive a request for evidence or notice of intent to deny, there is often no immediate cause for concern. Processing times vary widely depending on workload and service center.

It’s understandable to feel anxious, but silence from USCIS is often normal. You can compare your case with posted processing times, and only when your case is outside the normal range should you submit an inquiry. Taking action too early usually doesn’t speed things up. Keeping copies of all submissions and monitoring your mail is the best approach during long waits.

I waited over a year with no updates on my spouse’s petition. Eventually, the case moved forward without any issues. Immigration processing is slow and unpredictable, especially for family cases. As long as your information is accurate and your relationship is genuine, delays alone are not a negative sign.