How is the order for processing applications determined?

[Greg and Karen 1]

I was just wondering what determines which applications get processed first. I noticed in the timeline that there is a pattern of applications where the applicant is from a certain country gets approved before applications from other countries. I am assuming that within each service center the processors are organized into different groups responsible for certain regions. Just wondering what is the method for them processing applications cause it is a little disheartening to have filed 1-2 months before someone else and see their application approved before yours.

[Ezekiel Chester 3]

It all depends. At the minute, Vermont seems to be falling behind a little on approvals. It all depends on the service center that is processing the application. I believe they are all processed in order of when they are received within each department within the service center that they reach. I've found people on here that sent in their I-129Fs almost a month after me, and have already received their NOA2!! Unfortunately, all we can do is wait and be patient There's nothing we can do to get them to hurry up

[Greg and Karen 1]

Yeah, it is much easier to remain patient when you know they are processing applications on a first come first serve basis, but that is obviously not the case when applications from other countries are being processed at a much faster rate than others. I can understand if a few applications take longer to process, but when it is every application from the same country that is taking longer than everyone else, to me they should break the processing timelines out by country and not generalize it giving a false perception that all applications are processed within the same timeframe.

What adds fuel to the fire is that Vermont was ahead of processing applications compared to California, now California is almost a month ahead of Vermont. I know we do not have a choice but to wait for a response, just hate to see the inconsistency in the way they are processing applications.

[TigerFlower 61]

I agree, it does appear that certain ones are faster than others. We can only imagine the way they are sorted when they first arrive... must be so very many to deal with.