I am just wondering if there might be a reason some applications get processed faster than others. For example i have seen some filed back in 2007 that are just now getting interview dates or still haven't. any thoughts as too why? Is it a good sign if your application gets processed quickly or is it luck of the draw. how your application was prepared have a big impact also?

Rodney

It was explained to me that part of it is what state you were filing from, and what center processed your application. Supposedly when I filed we were told the service center was 9 months behind. But it only took about 5 months for us to get our petition approval to be sent to HCMC for an interview date. Then two months later we got our date for 4 months later. So sometimes I think its just a crap shoot.

I think it may just be luck. I live in Arkansas and my application was processed in Vermont and it only took about 5 1/2 months from filing to get an interview date. guess trying to figure out this government system is pointless sometimes.

Rodney

I think at USCIS petitions filed in Vermont receive NOA2 a lot faster than petitions filed in California. When at HCMC, I think whoever turns in Package 3 first will get their interview date first.

We can use the Timeline Search to see this.

A lot depends on the Service center. But with the big price increase a year ago, some centers were swamped with applications to beat the price increase.
Also if you get RFE or something like that slows you down. VSC is faster now but awhile ago they were the slowest.Sometimes is luck of the draw.
At the end of the day it is like all government, no real explanations.

i filed at VSC. i got NOA1 dec 17, then got NOA2 feb 20. seemed pretty quick, i was expecting it to take much longer.

The California Service Center handles almost the entire West Coast inlcuding Alaska and Hawaii so it's very slow. So far the extra fees hasn't shown any improvement there. Other Service Centers are much quicker, Vermont is the fastest at this time.

Once your petition gets to HCMC Consulate, it's important to return it asap as it takes them 2-4 weeks to process your Packet 3 and schedule your interview. Usually your interview is 6-8 weeks from when the Packet 4 is sent.

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26
I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11
I-129F RFE(s) :
RFE Reply(s) :
I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26
Touched: 2007-11-02
NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16
Consulate recieved ??????
Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11
Packet 3 received 2007-12-24
Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28
Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14
Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23
Interview Date 2008-2-27
Passed Interview 2008-02-27
Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05
Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)
POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles
Wedding 2008-4-26

Some just don't update their timelines as they get their NOA2 why it appears they are having a long wait, as seen at Igor's list.

Good luck to everyone!