Why aren’t processing times consistent?

[DeParaquedasBrasi 228]

I’ve always been under the impression that I-130 cases are processed and approved in a first come-first serve order, but looking at the historical chart on this site I see inconsistencies. I filtered it to show only cases in Nebraska since that’s where my case is (why god WHY NEBRASKA), and I see inconsistencies.

Example: some people who filed in July of last year barely got their NOA2 this month, yet others who filed in January of this year got their NOA2 this month also......???

That throws me off to understand where exactly they stand as far as what month they’re working on. 

Does being an US citizen petitioner make your case go faster. 

‘We’ve been married for over 2yrs but just now filed in April so I understand we have a long ways to go. 

[p-ana 933]

There are too many variables. Officers work in different paces, they take time off, there are holidays, expedites, new priorities.... all you can do is wait, read and be knowledgeable of the process, plan for the future.

[geowrian 22,335]

In general, things are processed first come, first serve. But it's more like a massive supermarket with 100+ checkout lanes. Some are faster than others. Some need a price check. Sometimes somebody is paying entirely with small coins. There's always somebody going faster than you, and always somebody going slower than you.

There's also things like expedites, extended background checks, verification of documents, RFEs, etc., that impact timelines.

 

Best thing you can do is not focus on others...you'll drive yourself mad.

 

21 minutes ago, JesseTovar said:

Does being an US citizen petitioner make your case go faster.

It's generally faster for a USC petitioning an immediate relative than an LPR doing so, yes (even more so when PDs are not current...then it adds year(s) to the process for an LPR).

Edited August 9, 2019 by geowrian

[JMPM 507]

Nebraska has failed leadership running that service center. They are mismanaged only a mass firing of the leaders and replacing them with people that want to make progress is going to speed things up and make things more consistent. 

 

And also there's a running theory that if you file a k3 petition you get pushed to the front of the line. 

[Just Paul 4,591]

2 hours ago, JesseTovar said:

I’ve always been under the impression that I-130 cases are processed and approved in a first come-first serve order, but looking at the historical chart on this site I see inconsistencies. I filtered it to show only cases in Nebraska since that’s where my case is (why god WHY NEBRASKA), and I see inconsistencies.

Example: some people who filed in July of last year barely got their NOA2 this month, yet others who filed in January of this year got their NOA2 this month also......???

That throws me off to understand where exactly they stand as far as what month they’re working on. 

Does being an US citizen petitioner make your case go faster. 

‘We’ve been married for over 2yrs but just now filed in April so I understand we have a long ways to go. 

Grocery store analogy . . . Some checkout lines are faster than others.   

 

Every petition is unique, has different variables and every petitioners and beneficiary background will be different.   Then each adjudicator works, well however they work.  Then cases will also get moved between centers to even things out.  Hopefully no RFEs.

 

and yes being a USC does make it faster . . . otherwise you are applying for a F2A visa

[DeParaquedasBrasi 228]

2 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

Grocery store analogy . . . Some checkout lines are faster than others.   

 

Every petition is unique, has different variables and every petitioners and beneficiary background will be different.   Then each adjudicator works, well however they work.  Then cases will also get moved between centers to even things out.  Hopefully no RFEs.

 

and yes being a USC does make it faster . . . otherwise you are applying for a F2A visa

 

4 hours ago, geowrian said:

In general, things are processed first come, first serve. But it's more like a massive supermarket with 100+ checkout lanes. Some are faster than others. Some need a price check. Sometimes somebody is paying entirely with small coins. There's always somebody going faster than you, and always somebody going slower than you.

There's also things like expedites, extended background checks, verification of documents, RFEs, etc., that impact timelines.

 

Best thing you can do is not focus on others...you'll drive yourself mad.

 

It's generally faster for a USC petitioning an immediate relative than an LPR doing so, yes (even more so when PDs are not current...then it adds year(s) to the process for an LPR).

Thanks for that illustration, makes sense.

just one more question, do you get a notice/email once they actually start working on your case, or do they just eventually send an NOA2 stating if it’s been approved or denied?

[Lil bear 3,831]

6 minutes ago, JesseTovar said:

 

Thanks for that illustration, makes sense.

just one more question, do you get a notice/email once they actually start working on your case, or do they just eventually send an NOA2 stating if it’s been approved or denied?

You don’t get notified when they begin working in your case .. only an RFE while they are working on it if they require further evidence or documents are incorrect or missing , and then the outcome .. approved or denied 

[Nat&Amy 623]

21 hours ago, geowrian said:

In general, things are processed first come, first serve. But it's more like a massive supermarket with 100+ checkout lanes. Some are faster than others. Some need a price check. Sometimes somebody is paying entirely with small coins. There's always somebody going faster than you, and always somebody going slower than you.

There's also things like expedites, extended background checks, verification of documents, RFEs, etc., that impact timelines.

Perfect analogy. You might have sent the petition on the same day someone else did but you might have joined a "slow line at check out".

 

But look on the bright side. At least you will not have to get into line again for Adjustment of Status, since you are filing for a spousal visa.

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

19 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

  Then each adjudicator works, well however they work.  

😂😂 ☝️☝️☝️ what he said.... I saw a USCIS processing officer position advertised on indeed a couple of weeks ago... well however they work probably sums it up nicely given the pay cheque, I’d of thought it much higher than 30k a year 😬

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to USCIS Service Centers forum.

[LaniLin 4]

I don't know if I agree being a USC makes any difference. I am and filed my petition last August so I'm right at the year mark and still waiting for my NOA2. 

[geowrian 22,335]

4 minutes ago, LaniLin said:

I don't know if I agree being a USC makes any difference. I am and filed my petition last August so I'm right at the year mark and still waiting for my NOA2. 

An LPR petitioning for a spouse would fall under F2A, which is processed by CSC right now.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

Current processing time for this category: 18.5 to 24 months

 

This is also ignoring that an IR of a USC has a visa number immediately available. For F2A, the wait there was ~2 years until just recently (so even if USCIS approved the case in a week, it would have still sat for 2 years with no way to expedite).

[LaniLin 4]

10 minutes ago, geowrian said:

An LPR petitioning for a spouse would fall under F2A, which is processed by CSC right now.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

Current processing time for this category: 18.5 to 24 months

 

This is also ignoring that an IR of a USC has a visa number immediately available. For F2A, the wait there was ~2 years until just recently (so even if USCIS approved the case in a week, it would have still sat for 2 years with no way to expedite).

I see what you are saying. I guess my comment was just in general as I'm a USC and I've been waiting for a year and am seeing the same thing - some people applied just this year and already have their NOA2. Frustrating!