On what does the processing time depend on...?

[America15 0]

Hey All

I am just wondering and would like to know on what the processing time depends on?

Do the USCIS have an order to process the cases?

Like does it depend on your home country? Or when you sent in the papers? Or when you received an RFE, does it take longer?

Does it depend on the office? Or in which state/area you live now?

When your EAD/AP got approved fast, can you expect that your interview will be scheduled soon too?

I have all these questions because I've heard and read so many stories. My AOS is still pending, my EAD/AP got approved yesterday (after 2 months).

Nevertheless ppl who sent in their papers later got approved earlier or already have an appointment for the interview often, without any approved EAD or AP.

Other ppl with RFE's got approved earlier than ppl without. Some get an appointment after 3-4 months for an interview, others have to wait almost a year.

I am just very confused about the system there and it feels more like russian roulette. A friend told me that it's good when you receive a RFE that means the USCIS is working on your case. I have also heard that especially at the NBC office the processing times are delayed (6months to 1 year). Is that correct?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions but I hope somebody can answer me all these questions.

I appreciate your help

[Ryan H 3,796]

Moved from General Immigration-Related Discussion to USCIS Service Centers forum; topic is about service center operations.

[Hypnos 6,576]

In general, petitions are processed in the order they are received.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

To clarify the above...

They get A LOT of paperwork, and generally they try to get them in the order they're received, but there is a good chance that a lot of random folders get put at bottoms of piles and that order gets messed up a bit.

So say you're worker ant typing in all the info, and you have about three folders left of petitions to go through. Worker ant boss sees that you're low, and plops down a nice new pile of papers on top of those three folder. Those three folders are now at the bottom now, and the ones on top will be processed sooner, even though they were sent in later.

It would add waaaay to much to the process to try to keep them in an actual order by dates and time received, it's easier to just keep them together loosely and plop them on someones desk when they're ready for more.

So, in reality, they're done in the order they're received by the person processing them, not by the order received at the location itself.

That's at least my idea on how some end up sneaking through quicker than others, it makes sense as I've seen this happen in normal office situations with the whole plopping more papers on top of other papers before they can be touched.

[America15 0]

Are EAD and AOS seperate cases or do they process them together?

[Hypnos 6,576]

I-765 (EAD) and I-131 (AP) are processed separately from the I-485 (AoS). USCIS are normally required to adjudicate the I-765 and I-131 within 90 days of application. Note: receiving an RFE on the principal application will pause the 90 day window.

[Chejemmie 7]

So, does USCIS retain the PD from the I130 to process an AOS, or does AOS have its own PD? My petitioner is a GC holder and my AOS is pending at NBC. If yes, does this mean that the AOS will be processed based on if the date is current at your local office? My PD is 12/31/2014 and my local office is Baltimore. Baltimore is currently processing cases on or before 12/26/2014. Thank you.

[Hypnos 6,576]

The priority date for your I-130 is used.

[Chejemmie 7]

The priority date for your I-130 is used.

Thx Hynpos