Processing Times - Any help would be appreciated

[MrandMrsE 0]

Hi Fellow Members

I know every one of you either has, or is going through the same frustration as my wife and I but this waiting game is really tough. I religiously check processing times, my case status etc etc and although our NOA1 is ahead of some members' I notice they have already received their NOA2's. Can anyone shed some light on why this might be and how close we may be to some good news.

In addition, whilst looking at the current processing dates shown for processing a I129F for a K3 visa at the CSC (which has been updated today) I noticed is about almost a month past the date I received my NOA 1. Is it fair to assume that the CSC is processing my I130 application instead? And if so what the main differences between the two processes. Finally the most obvious question of all. When the processing time is stipulated as 5 months does that figure include all stages of the process right through to medical interview etc. I'm sure it does but again would like to hear someone else say it.

I appreciate these may be obvious questions but I am desperate for some calrification. I miss my wife and kids with all my heart and just want to be with them as soon as possible. Any glimmer of hope would be welcomed.

Thanks

[Sinergy 3]

Processing times always vary. Everyones case is different, and every person reviewing a petition is either more or less efficient than another. Normal processing time is 90-120 days. If you are out of the 120 days then definitely make a call to them. I mean you can call them anytime and check on it, thats your call. But normal CSC processing is 90-120 days. And per your timeline, you're only in the 60 days. So you still may have some time to wait.

Edited June 29, 2010 by Sinergy

[canadian_wife 1,791]

I used to picture it like a huge big box store. You get all your stuff together and look at the long lines of people in the checkout. You pick your line and wait. Now, line #4 may be moving fast - everyone has their stuff in order and they are moving WAY ahead of you. You look to the front of your line and an old woman is paying in pennies, holding up your line.

This is the same with the adjudicators. Sometimes they get cases that require longer to process - leaving you to wait for them to evaluate the ones ahead of you while others move quickly.

Often the I-129F will slow up an application. This was the case when we filed. Those with an I-129F were processed 6-8 weeks after those with stand-alone I-130s. Expect your I-129F and your I-130 to be approved on the same day. when you sent in your I-129F it was married up with your I-130 and will be adjudicated on the same day.

And no, the 5 months estimate is just USCIS. After USCIS you will head to NVC which can take a while depending on how organzized you are. Then the consulate stage. The interview and medical is at the consulate stage, not USCIS so that doesn't factor into the 5 months USCIS posts. The 5 months is just the adjudication of the petition.

Good luck.

[Sinergy 3]

Yes, the 90-120 days is ONLY with USCIS....i forgot to elaborate on that...thanks for mentioning it canadian_wife

[Darnell 8,478]

*** not a k-1 question - moving to CR-1 forum ***

[MrandMrsE 0]

I used to picture it like a huge big box store. You get all your stuff together and look at the long lines of people in the checkout. You pick your line and wait. Now, line #4 may be moving fast - everyone has their stuff in order and they are moving WAY ahead of you. You look to the front of your line and an old woman is paying in pennies, holding up your line.

This is the same with the adjudicators. Sometimes they get cases that require longer to process - leaving you to wait for them to evaluate the ones ahead of you while others move quickly.

Often the I-129F will slow up an application. This was the case when we filed. Those with an I-129F were processed 6-8 weeks after those with stand-alone I-130s. Expect your I-129F and your I-130 to be approved on the same day. when you sent in your I-129F it was married up with your I-130 and will be adjudicated on the same day.

And no, the 5 months estimate is just USCIS. After USCIS you will head to NVC which can take a while depending on how organzized you are. Then the consulate stage. The interview and medical is at the consulate stage, not USCIS so that doesn't factor into the 5 months USCIS posts. The 5 months is just the adjudication of the petition.

Good luck.

Thanks for your help with this I am a lot clearer now, especially with your example. I guess I will just keep everything crossed and hope we hear something soon, I'll be sure to keep you posted.

[MrandMrsE 0]

Yes, the 90-120 days is ONLY with USCIS....i forgot to elaborate on that...thanks for mentioning it canadian_wife

Thanks for your help with this, I have read all the guidelines etc, I just needed confirmation that what I was interpreting was correct.

Cheers

[Sinergy 3]

Actually this is being moved to K-3 forum as he is a K-3 petitioner, shouldve caught it sooner and didnt, i apologize for the extra move.

[Darnell 8,478]

As far as filing the I-129F petition to obtain a K-3 is concerned, I only have a coupla points:

1. USUALLY, after an I-129F is filed, the I-130 filed earlier loses it's place in it's original 'queue', losing 1 to 2 months of 'queue waiting time', and the I-130 and I-129F are joined together, same desk, adjudicated together, same approval date.

2. NVC is administratively closing the I-129F IF it travels together from USCIS to NVC. Since casefiles are 'joined up at USCIS' and usually are 'approved together', is high probability of the I-129F being administratively closed.

3. Suggest you give up on any K-3 visa, really !!! Focus on the CR-1, instead. If you are hoping for a K-3 AND a K-4, and didn't file any I-130 for yer spouse's child - wei - tis time to do so. ! Really !

You might want to click-through and read these two links:

Comparison on K-3 vs CR-1 - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/204324-wondering-if-i-made-a-mistake-marrying-in-us/page__view__findpost__p__3060767

K-3 administratively closed - http://www.visajourney.com/news/2010/02/07/department-of-state-to-close-k-3-visas-if-i-129f-and-i-130-petitions-approved-and-received-together/

[theladynthetramp 0]

they r being totally misleading! i didnt know K3 was closed til i read these forums! otherwise i wouldnt have sent it! n now i gotta wait from 1 month to 2 months more cuz K3 is gonna delay my CR-1! this is absurd! n outrageous! if k3 id administratively close then why the hell USCIS receives it n approves it? this is ridiculous! like we got nothin to do here but wait! its our lives on the stake here! families n families they r dispatching n seperatin for longer days! gosh! this is frustratin!