Significant slowdown in I-129F processing in May 2025?

[horsea 3]

On 5/17/2025 at 9:08 AM, horsea said:

is it a temporary measure or a signal of a shift in policy or strategy?

 

The site I use to track my case has removed its banner about the pause in processing at "the front of the line." My position in line decreased by tens of cases today, so I believe USCIS has started reviewing new cases (forms I-129F) again. It seems like the shift in priorities only lasted a few weeks.

Edited June 3 by horsea

[horsea 3]

I believe USCIS is handling new cases again, but they are still processing them more slowly than usual. The tracking site I use added a banner about the slowdown in processing, and my estimated review time jumped backward by a month. The site now estimates that I'll hear back about eleven months post-submission (last December). I agree with the statement in the banner that "USCIS is rapidly falling behind," as the number of cases being processed has dropped well below replacement; it is small relative to the number of new cases coming in. At this pace, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a year for new cases to be reviewed.

 

I'm curious whether USCIS will hire contractors to address the deluge of paperwork.

[Turquoise 5]

On 6/12/2025 at 4:07 AM, horsea said:

I believe USCIS is handling new cases again, but they are still processing them more slowly than usual. The tracking site I use added a banner about the slowdown in processing, and my estimated review time jumped backward by a month. The site now estimates that I'll hear back about eleven months post-submission (last December). I agree with the statement in the banner that "USCIS is rapidly falling behind," as the number of cases being processed has dropped well below replacement; it is small relative to the number of new cases coming in. At this pace, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a year for new cases to be reviewed.

 

I'm curious whether USCIS will hire contractors to address the deluge of paperwork.

What is the estimated time for you on the site that you use to track you case? I know which site you are using, I'm using it too, and for me it show's that I might get my NOA2 on June or July 2026.. I really wish that VJ estimated time is going to be the real one 🙏

[horsea 3]

On 6/15/2025 at 8:19 AM, Turquoise said:

What is the estimated time for you on the site that you use to track you case? I know which site you are using, I'm using it too, and for me it show's that I might get my NOA2 on June or July 2026.. I really wish that VJ estimated time is going to be the real one 🙏

 

For me, the other site estimates that I'll hear back in October. The VisaJourney estimate is a few months ahead of that. (I've already been waiting for six months.)

 

I don't think it's really possible to predict the timeline accurately in advance. I think I started this thread mostly for commiseration, as many of us are experiencing the same downward trend in the processing rate. The actual review time will depend entirely on how quickly USCIS processes cases going forward, and whether this trend is indicative of what's to come.