Confusion with regard to timelines

[SilentObserver 2]

Hello All,

I just received my NOA1 for the i129F. I have also been looking at processing times. I am a little confused as to what these mean. Is processing time the time between submission of the i129f package and the receipt of the NOA2 or is it the time from submission of the i129f package to the receipt of the visa? I am pretty confused. If this has been answered elsewhere, I sincerely apologize. Thank you in advance!

[Dohan 133]

It's a general term which relates to the overall process but there are several stages. The first part is waiting to get your NOA2, then waiting for your file to be sent to NVC, then waiting for the interview, etc.

Good luck in your journey. We also started out.

Btw, just a note from my experience (as new as it is), don't look at the timeline dates this site gives you. Some say it is sometimes possible to get answers sooner.

Good luck and fingers crossed!

[SilentObserver 2]

Hey Dohan,

Thanks so much for the reassurance! My estimated date (based on the timeline data on this site) is somewhere between Dec 6, 2014 and Jan 13, 2015. I am really hoping this process does not extend until next year. If I get the visa for my fiancee before Christmas, I will consider that a huge win for us!

Thanks once again. Good luck with your process!

[Dohan 133]

I'm right there with you. I pretty much have been living on this page ever since we got our NOA1 in June. I'm saying don't look at the timeline estimation because I noticed mine kept changing and moving closer to January, nearly lost my mind.

I also hope to get news by Xmas but I'm planning on going there in December. We have been apart for a month so far and since K1 is in process he can't come visit.

Nice to see a fellow New Yorker here

[SilentObserver 2]

Likewise, great to see a New Yorker here in a similar situation. My fiancee and I got engaged in Istanbul in late May. We've been apart for over a month so this whole process is chipping away at my sanity. I am hoping I get NOA2 by September. I'll be a very happy man if that is the case. I am sure I'll have questions for you since you're ahead with the process.

[lilsadie 50]

Hello All,

I just received my NOA1 for the i129F. I have also been looking at processing times. I am a little confused as to what these mean. Is processing time the time between submission of the i129f package and the receipt of the NOA2 or is it the time from submission of the i129f package to the receipt of the visa? I am pretty confused. If this has been answered elsewhere, I sincerely apologize. Thank you in advance!

Generally ts for NOA2

Are you at the TSC? If so you might not be processed until the very end of the year, early next year at this stage (things could change though!)

tsc is still working on Dec applications so its going to be a while. From there its about2-4 weeks for then to send to ur consulate and then around 2 months for an interview (depends on the country though, could be quicker or longer) so very very best case you could have visa in hand by Feb/March next year. If your at CSS very different story... we are date application sent to visa in hand (pending I pass the interview next week) in around 80 days. Its horribly unfair for the TSC people. Apparently the service centers change speeds all the time though to Fx that they speed up soon!

[SilentObserver 2]

oh dear...my heart sank when I read this! I am at TSC and I didn't think it was that bad based on application timelines I had seen so far.

[Dohan 133]

Congrats on your engagement btw! We got engaged in March in Mumbai <3

Let's not be discouraged. Some places are saying that TSC is working on December still but I have seen through the VJ processing times, it says they are now working on Feb 17, 2014 applications. Maybe I'm being overly positive but I am not looking at any dates and just patiently waiting. That's the best thing to do otherwise you start going crazy.

Start looking at what you will need to prepare for the next stage. Don't worry, worrying will not help you or her.

If you guys can skype, do so. It really does make a difference, so much better than messages and emails, even better than a phone call.

Will you be having the interview in Mumbai as well?

If you need anything, feel free to send a message. I'll help any way I can.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

oh dear...my heart sank when I read this! I am at TSC and I didn't think it was that bad based on application timelines I had seen so far.

Don't rely on VJ's timelines. It is not reliable since many people wrongly filled out their timeline.

[Julie+Matt 84]

oh dear...my heart sank when I read this! I am at TSC and I didn't think it was that bad based on application timelines I had seen so far.

I feel your pain. I'm a late April filer myself & my timeline is saying end of September to November:( I really want him here for Christmas/my birthday (a week before Christmas)-though even that is too far off for my sanity to deal with. I haven't seen him since mid may & I'm visiting again mid august but won't see him again until he gets here as we both don't have the vacation time (& I really need to save up money) it hurts. I only hope that Texas speeds up & we get approved sooner-which would of course benefit you! Good luck & stay strong:)

oh dear...my heart sank when I read this! I am at TSC and I didn't think it was that bad based on application timelines I had seen so far.

I feel your pain. I'm a late April filer myself & my timeline is saying end of September to November:( I really want him here for Christmas/my birthday (a week before Christmas)-though even that is too far off for my sanity to deal with. I haven't seen him since mid may & I'm visiting again mid august but won't see him again until he gets here as we both don't have the vacation time (& I really need to save up money) it hurts. I only hope that Texas speeds up & we get approved sooner-which would of course benefit you! Good luck & stay strong:)

[SilentObserver 2]

I feel your pain. I'm a late April filer myself & my timeline is saying end of September to November:( I really want him here for Christmas/my birthday (a week before Christmas)-though even that is too far off for my sanity to deal with. I haven't seen him since mid may & I'm visiting again mid august but won't see him again until he gets here as we both don't have the vacation time (& I really need to save up money) it hurts. I only hope that Texas speeds up & we get approved sooner-which would of course benefit you! Good luck & stay strong:)

I feel your pain. I'm a late April filer myself & my timeline is saying end of September to November:( I really want him here for Christmas/my birthday (a week before Christmas)-though even that is too far off for my sanity to deal with. I haven't seen him since mid may & I'm visiting again mid august but won't see him again until he gets here as we both don't have the vacation time (& I really need to save up money) it hurts. I only hope that Texas speeds up & we get approved sooner-which would of course benefit you! Good luck & stay strong:)

Thank you so much! I really hope these guys speed things up. I think it is pretty unfair the California Service Center gets these things processed in under three months and it almost seems like Texas handles most of the country's applications. I wish the Vermont center still handled these. Anyway, keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best. Thanks once again.

[SilentObserver 2]

Congrats on your engagement btw! We got engaged in March in Mumbai <3

Let's not be discouraged. Some places are saying that TSC is working on December still but I have seen through the VJ processing times, it says they are now working on Feb 17, 2014 applications. Maybe I'm being overly positive but I am not looking at any dates and just patiently waiting. That's the best thing to do otherwise you start going crazy.

Start looking at what you will need to prepare for the next stage. Don't worry, worrying will not help you or her.

If you guys can skype, do so. It really does make a difference, so much better than messages and emails, even better than a phone call.

Will you be having the interview in Mumbai as well?

If you need anything, feel free to send a message. I'll help any way I can.

Congratulations on your engagement. I am going to make sure I have all the documentation needed for the next phase and just wait and watch. You are right. I could very well drive myself crazy with this process. Skype is a weekly feature for us - and has been for the longest time. The interview will be in Mumbai. I know I will definitely have questions for you. Thank you so much for the reassurance!

Don't rely on VJ's timelines. It is not reliable since many people wrongly filled out their timeline.

I really hope that is the case and that the situation is not as grim as the stats suggest.

[kehills 217]

I wish the Vermont center still handled these.

*laughs*

No, you don't. Last year, before VSC stopped handling them, the howls of anguish you hear re: TSC right now? Were howls of anguish about how slow VSC was becoming. (We were in the second batch of docus sent from VSC to TSC to spread the load, and we got the typical response here of 50% yay congrats, 50% it wasn't fair that my case got moved and theirs didn't.)

If you go back another year, everyone is complaining about CSC because VSC is moving so fast. It goes in waves. The best thing to do is pay zero attention to timelines (of other people or what VJ predicts for you) and just play it by the numbers that USCIS/et al give you. If you haven't had NOA2 in five months, then call, complain, panic, worry.

My now-husband and I figured that if we just assumed that it would always take the maximum time and require maximum effort, it would be easier for us through the process (and from what I've seen here, it seems we were right). Focus your nervous energy, instead, on communicating with your intended and keeping close contact. Maybe start a pinterest board to start planning your new home together.

[annstew 18]

Hi i'm a newbie this has nothing to do with the post but i have a question when the tracking number starts with SRC is that Texas or California thanks a lot for your answers

[SilentObserver 2]

*laughs*

No, you don't. Last year, before VSC stopped handling them, the howls of anguish you hear re: TSC right now? Were howls of anguish about how slow VSC was becoming. (We were in the second batch of docus sent from VSC to TSC to spread the load, and we got the typical response here of 50% yay congrats, 50% it wasn't fair that my case got moved and theirs didn't.)

If you go back another year, everyone is complaining about CSC because VSC is moving so fast. It goes in waves. The best thing to do is pay zero attention to timelines (of other people or what VJ predicts for you) and just play it by the numbers that USCIS/et al give you. If you haven't had NOA2 in five months, then call, complain, panic, worry.

My now-husband and I figured that if we just assumed that it would always take the maximum time and require maximum effort, it would be easier for us through the process (and from what I've seen here, it seems we were right). Focus your nervous energy, instead, on communicating with your intended and keeping close contact. Maybe start a pinterest board to start planning your new home together.

Oh wow...didn't realize it was that bad. I really hope NOA2 shows up by October or November.

Hi i'm a newbie this has nothing to do with the post but i have a question when the tracking number starts with SRC is that Texas or California thanks a lot for your answers

I don't think the SRC corresponds to a specific service center. The service center should be indicated on the lower left side of your NOA1.