DCF London - Average Wait?

[Susan&Daniel 0]

Okay, I filed my I-130 last Monday and have not had my NOA1 yet. How long does it take to receive this?

Also does anyone know the average wait for DCF to take? I can find processing times for all the other visas, but not for DCF. Is there a link I'm missing here?

[Susan&Daniel 0]

Okay, I'm really confused here. On their website it says as of 7th Feb 2011 they're processing applications received in Oct 2010.. However I've read on other forums that they're applications were processed within weeks! ...But some places are saying 5-6months is the wait time for the visa. So, by my calculations, my form wont get processed until approx June 2011 (if they remain 4 months behind).. So it'll be 5-6 months after that, which'll bring us to December 2011! That's crazy! Please someone tell me that's wrong! My husband leaves the military in April and is returning to the states. We planned for me, and our 4 month old son, to remain here in the UK with family until my visa (and our son's American passport) have arrived.. But December 2011?!!?!?!

Edited February 15, 2011 by British Bird

[Christi85 86]

First of all relax .

NOA1 (which isn't the approval of your I-130, but really a confirmation that they got your petition) takes anything from 1 to 3 weeks to be emailed, for most people somewhere in between.

I see in your timeline that you've been asked to resubmit your package, so of course that takes you back to square 1. I suggest doing recorded or special delivery so that you can track your package, and you can start counting on the day when they receive it. Obviously, it's also a good idea to keep tracking your credit card to find out when it gets charged, as this will also tell you they accepted your petition and are keeping it in their files.

The whole process in London is taking 5-6 months by current timelines, that's start to finish, and includes the USCIS stage (I-130 package submission and I-130 approval (NOA2)) and the Immigrant Visa Unit stage (assignment of case number, medical, return of DS forms and final interview).

Don't make the mistake of comparing it with DCF in other Consulates. Some take just weeks start to finish, some others take months, depending on workload. London is one of the busy Consulates, therefore DCF there takes longer than in many other Consulates around the world, but it's still 3-4 months quicker than if you filed in the US.

The website is updated very sporadically, therefore you shouldn't obsess too much about it. Read it only as a reference and only occasionally, and psych yourself up to be patient, because 95% of the time in this process is spent waiting.

Assuming you re-filed today (15 Feb) and they received it tomorrow (if you sent it special delivery), and assuming that all your documents through the process were in order, then you should expect to have your visa in hand sometime between July and August judging from current timescales.

Edited February 15, 2011 by Christi85

[JoannaV 173]

Okay, I'm really confused here. On their website it says as of 7th Feb 2011 they're processing applications received in Oct 2010..

The website information has been to know to jump weeks. That is, you'll watch it every day and it will barely move, and then it will suddenly say they're processing applications from a month later. Best to keep your sanity by not looking! Sometimes I think it might be that they are still processing a couple of older applications but are actually further ahead than it looks. Sometimes.

However I've read on other forums that they're applications were processed within weeks! ..

Like Christi85 said, every consulate is different. But also every month is different. There are times when they go faster and times when they go slower. Some people are lucky enough to send their applications in at the fastest time, when the Embassy has the least number of petitions waiting. Those people get astonishingly quick approvals, but then the Embassy slows down again and processes slower than it receives applications. (Same for USCIS and everything else.)

.But some places are saying 5-6months is the wait time for the visa. So, by my calculations, my form wont get processed until approx June 2011 (if they remain 4 months behind).. So it'll be 5-6 months after that, which'll bring us to December 2011! That's crazy! Please someone tell me that's wrong! My husband leaves the military in April and is returning to the states. We planned for me, and our 4 month old son, to remain here in the UK with family until my visa (and our son's American passport) have arrived.. But December 2011?!!?!?!

I don't like to get too optimistic about processing times, because I think it is better to be mentally prepared for a longer wait and then be pleasantly surprised. But relax, you'll be in America soon :-)

[Susan&Daniel 0]

Okay, so July/August isn't too bad. I've re-sent the package today, special delivery like I did the first time around. Fingers crossed it'll get approved this time!

[Susan&Daniel 0]

Okay, I've seen THREE timelines now for London DCF and each person would receive their NOA1 days after submitting their forms. I submitted mine on the 15th, payment came out on the 17th and I've STILL not received my NOA1. One person's timeline states they submitted theirs on the 16th and got their NOA1 on the 17th!

Is it worth me contacting someone over this?

[Christi85 86]

Okay, I've seen THREE timelines now for London DCF and each person would receive their NOA1 days after submitting their forms. I submitted mine on the 15th, payment came out on the 17th and I've STILL not received my NOA1. One person's timeline states they submitted theirs on the 16th and got their NOA1 on the 17th!

Is it worth me contacting someone over this?

If payment has come out of your account that means your petition has gone through initial processing, has been accepted for DCF, is in their files and is now waiting for its turn to be processed by an Officer (that will take a couple months). So it's all good news! The NOA1 is just a formality at this point as for most people it's just the confirmation that their file has been received (tracking down the payment is an alternative way to check this).

You can always email USCIS London and remind them to email you your NOA1 (it's just a PDF document showing the filing date, it doesn't even have your name on), but since processing of payment always takes place at more or less the same time as the filing date, you can safely assume that your filing date is the 17th of Feb.

Edited March 4, 2011 by Christi85

[Susan&Daniel 0]

Thanks Christi I really just want the case # so I can book my medical appointment and get it over and done with. I'll try and find the right person to email so I can get my NOA1 sent over.

[Christi85 86]

Thanks Christi I really just want the case # so I can book my medical appointment and get it over and done with. I'll try and find the right person to email so I can get my NOA1 sent over.

Just to clarify: in DCF (in London at least) there is no case number given with the NOA1. Just a confirmation of receipt and the filing date of your petition. After your I-130 is approved (NOA2) you'll be sent a letter in the mail confirming the approval and advising that the Immigrant Visa Unit will contact you with further instructions. 2-4 weeks AFTER the NOA2 letter you get the letter from the IV Unit which contains the case number (which will allow you to book the medical etc.). Take a look at my timeline below to get an idea of how the whole process goes.

For now just relax and try not to obsess too much over it

[Susan&Daniel 0]

Their website is updated pretty often nowadays, today it says they're processing petitions filed on 5th November. So they're still 4 months behind & wont be processing my petition until June! :'(

[unggoy_tatay 1]

Okay, I filed my I-130 last Monday and have not had my NOA1 yet. How long does it take to receive this?

Also does anyone know the average wait for DCF to take? I can find processing times for all the other visas, but not for DCF. Is there a link I'm missing here?

Just for anyone who worries about this at all, as I did...

We never received any sort of "NOA"s as other mention. Our processing went fine. (Though not in England, mind you)

[c.ortiz 0]

Anyone have any idea how long a DCF for a spouse would take filed, say, in mid-Feb? The London website says they're now processing for Oct., and to plan for 10 months. Does that seem about right, or are they giving worst case scenario?

If it is that long, might it be better to apply via Chicago, or do a K-1 instead (not married yet), ...or is there any other faster way?

Thanks!