Matt & Rocio

I saw today that there were some members who received their NOA2 today and yesterday after only 27-28 days. It just seems so unfair. They got married later, filed later, but were approved much much earlier than us. Do they just do that to keep their average numbers up?

I have the same feelings/thoughts as you do. A few possible reasons could be that they both had petitions with an approved expedite request, or CSC is working some files in under a month to skew their numbers to maintain their 5 month average. I did notice that both members had spouses from visa waiver countries, maybe they pick those for expedited approval due to the lower rates of fraud? If you really want to depress yourself look at the September K1 filers that are getting approved from the VSC.

We're past our 5th month but I'm not really hoping much now that I see a lot of people still not getting their NOA2's when they should be.

A couple of VJers just updated their timeline to show NOA2 received this week from CSC. Both had NOA1 dates in December. I'm guessing they both had expedites? Or, is CSC approving petitions out of order to keep their average processing time at 5 months?

The wait is less frustrating when I know that there are people who have waited longer than me, but when people who have been waiting far less time than me randomly 'win the lottery' and get processed ahead of me it is very discouraging.

Matt,

Indeed. I can't filter for the IR-1/CR-1 only, can just see the I-130 in general.

Its not a perfect system.. but does provide some insight. As July progresses we will have some idea of apps that are left behind as they progress in dates.

-Paisaman

My last post wasn't meant to criticize your system, rather to calm myself down a bit when I look at those staggering figures and realize that the numbers are inflated by lower priority petitions. I look forward to your weekly updates and again I would like to thank you for your work in providing this information.

USCIS do not move fast, especially if your waiting on progress being made...we waited months for a reply in total the process from start to finish took nearly a year.

Don't get too down hearted it will get processed, this website made the wait just about bearable

just keep up the communication with your loved one and leave the rest to take care of itself.

good luck on your journey.

If it wasn't for this website I would probably have gone insane with rage by now. Knowing that there are others who are suffering through the same misery of waiting to find out when they can finally be with their loved one here in the US does help me quite a bit. When I filed my I-130 petitions for my wife and step-daughter back in July I thought maybe it would take 3 months to get out of the USCIS. Now 5 months and 1 week later I'm still waiting and now hoping to hear something by the end of the month. Then, excitement will be quickly replaced by more anxiety and frustration while I wait for the NVC to assign a case number.

"Glad" to see the VSC is now processing September I-129f applications while CSC still has June I-130 filers waiting. Can someone explain why an I-129f would take less time on average to be approved than an I-130 by the USCIS?

I told my wife the same thing last night and she had an emotional breakdown. I am resigned to the fact that there are a lot of pending applications from July and they are obviously falling behind and that there isn't much I can do about it at this point other than wait. I have decided to travel to see my wife in the next month or so instead of waiting until the interview since that won't likely be until Spring at the earliest. As of the writing of this post there have only been two VJers who have reported receiving an NOA2 for their I-130 petition from the CSC in the past 2 weeks. I understand they are backlogged, but it almost seems like they are running at a snail's pace.

I have to admit that part of what frustrates me the most is to read posts in the NVC threads where VJers are complaining about how long it is taking to get their case number. When I check their timelines they have submitted their I-130 petitions after me and they were processed by CSC without an expedite request. I can deal with the backlog, there are only so many people to work the petitions, but what I have a difficult time with is that petitions aren't being worked in the order which they were received (excluding expedited requests).

I should have added that I feel no ill will (other than the obvious jealousy) towards those VJers who were fortunate to get their NOA2 with priority dates after July (non-expedited).

What's really stressing for me is that it is looking more and more likely I'm going to have to tell the wife that a March interview isn't going to happen and it will likely be April... or May... or June...

I told my wife the same thing last night and she had an emotional breakdown. I am resigned to the fact that there are a lot of pending applications from July and they are obviously falling behind and that there isn't much I can do about it at this point other than wait. I have decided to travel to see my wife in the next month or so instead of waiting until the interview since that won't likely be until Spring at the earliest. As of the writing of this post there have only been two VJers who have reported receiving an NOA2 for their I-130 petition from the CSC in the past 2 weeks. I understand they are backlogged, but it almost seems like they are running at a snail's pace.

I have to admit that part of what frustrates me the most is to read posts in the NVC threads where VJers are complaining about how long it is taking to get their case number. When I check their timelines they have submitted their I-130 petitions after me and they were processed by CSC without an expedite request. I can deal with the backlog, there are only so many people to work the petitions, but what I have a difficult time with is that petitions aren't being worked in the order which they were received (excluding expedited requests).

Ok, the service request I put through never got to CSC. That is terrible. What are these people doing?

Let us know what you find out, if anything. My timeline is within a couple of days of yours.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=76625d6dee764310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

According to the USCIS website there is a new Lockbox in Phoenix for stand-alone I-130 petitions. Furthermore it looks like you are supposed to use a specific Lockbox based on where you live.

Phoenix Lockbox

Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wyoming

Chicago Lockbox

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin.

This list includes all I-130 applications, correct? That would also include petitions for those that wouldn't fall under the IR-1/CR-1 category which have much higher processing times, in some cases years. So, while there may be 50k applications they don't have to work all of those before starting on August.

My NOA1 has a section for Preference Classification that would help filter the I-130 applications, but it doesn't look like they list that on the online status check.

There are definitely July filers who are getting approved, just seems to be random as to who gets that wonderful notice and who gets to wait another day. In my opinion the current process is flawed, mainly due to the manual process of assigning cases to multiple sites and multiple workers within each site. You could be very fortunate and have your petition sent to Vermont and then get assigned to a very experienced worker who processes the most applications in a day and only end up waiting 2-3 months. Or you could have your petition sent to California and assigned to a case worker who is about to go on vacation and your application sits while others who were received after yours are processed.

The fix to this problem is creating an online version of the I-130 application and then attaching scanned copies of the required documentation to the application. You would pay the application fee with a credit/debit card and get your NOA1 right away. From that point all cases would be placed into two virtual queues, one for expedited cases and one for normal cases. Cases would then be worked in the order in which they were received. The USCIS could take it a step further and update their website on a daily basis listing the date they are currently processing. Once the petition is approved it would be transferred electronically to the NVC where they should be able to instantly assign a case number and generate the AOS and IV bills. From there the DS-230 and I-864 forms could be completed online with required documents attached as scanned copies. This would then place the case into another virtual queue to be processed by the NVC. Once approved they would electronically transmit the application to the appropriate embassy/consulate where an automated system can create the appointment and send a notification to the USC and the beneficiary.

To further improve the process they could list the documents required and those that are optional based on the type of application you are filling out. In this situation you couldn't submit the application if you didn't upload a document for each of those that are required. This would reduce the number of RFEs which means faster processing times for everyone.

There is some signs that this may be coming. There is now an online version of the DS-230 (DS-260). Currently it is limited to a handful of consulates, maybe a beta test? Even if processing times don't go down by that much at least we would know that the process is more equitable and that there aren't those who wait months longer than others simply because of having the good or bad fortune of having their case sent to a particular location/worker.

I have been waiting for over 5 months for my NOA2 from the CSC. Others have been waiting 6 months.

Check out this thread which has some very useful information regarding the current case load at the CSC:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/343684-paisamans-i-130-csc-statistics/

This only helps to explain the delay, but if anything will probably only depress you to see how far behind they are.

I've also been reading in the NVC threads and it sounds like they are behind as well taking a month to assign a case number after receiving the file from the USCIS. On top of that there are people who are reporting waiting more than 8 weeks to get their interview date after completing the work with the NVC.

When I started this process back in July I thought maybe it would take 8 months tops. Now 8 months is looking like it is the best case scenario and that it will likely be 10 months or maybe even a year. We may think this is the longest anyone has had to wait to get an IR-1/CR-1 visa for their loved ones, but if you look into the history of the K3 visa you will find that it was created as a way to shorten the time couples had to remain apart due to their IR-1/CR-1 visa taking more than 1 year just to clear USCIS processing. But, as I understand it no K3 visas have been issued for about 2 years now because the process time for IR-1/CR-1 visas is approximately the same amount of time.

Thanks Matt.

Well, the problem honestly is that I have to change my IP address every 5k records I run. I can do that fairly easily, but it does cause some issues. They block IP addresses after that so it gets interesting.

I am working on a cloud solution that would let me run numbers a couple times a week. We will see.

I was wondering if they would limit the number of requests based upon IP address. In that case an update once a week is more than enough. Thanks again for your work on creating a solution to gather some very helpful information that gives us insight into the current backlog at the CSC.

If you think that crowdsourcing this might help let us know. I'm sure there would be plenty of us willing to run a script to gather a range of numbers. Can you tell if it is a 5000 record limit per IP address per day, hour, month, lifetime?

This thread should be pinned since it contains very valuable information.

Would it be possible to run daily updates? I would be more than happy to help out in any way I can.

In scanning ahead in the August ranges I found some additional July apps that I am adding into the stats. I am convinced I now account for every July application possible in my stats.

Reposting the adjusted 12/24 and the new 12/31 end of year stats accordingly.

Summary:

71,585 total apps for June 27-July 31 period watched.

On December 24:

55,308 applications still in Initial review status

8,562 applications in Decision or Post Decision

1,405 pending RFE

5468 in acceptance

73 in testing

72 in other

On December 31 (End of Year Stats):

54,526 applications still in Initial review status

9,097 applications in Decision or Post Decision

1,620 pending RFE

5,468 in acceptance

73 in testing

92 in other

And the most important part:

Between December 24 and December 31 the CSC reviewed 782 more applications with 535 decisions and 215 new Requests for Information.

Damn slow.. Still interested in seeing a normal non-holiday work week.

First off a very clever solution that gives us some real insight into the current backlog, I tip my hat to you.

I sure hope 782 reviewed applications in a week is due to the short work week and the probability that there are a higher than normal number of CSC workers out on vacation. This will be another short week, but I would imagine there are fewer people out on vacation this week as compared to last week. I can't imagine they can process more than 5-10 thousand applications a week which could mean that those of us with a late July priority date probably won't get our NOA2's until February at the earliest

Since 12/21 there have only been two VJ members who have reported receiving an NOA2 for their IR-1/CR-1. Both were July filers.

Since 12/22 there have been no VJ members who have reported receiving an NOA2 for their K1 from the CSC. Vermont on the other hand has issued 5 NOA2's during that same time according to VJ member reports, mostly September filers.

The system we have to work with is out of date in my opinion. The USCIS really needs to implement an online process so that they can truly process applications in the order in which they were received instead of randomly sending applications to different offices and then to different officers who may work at different paces. There would be a virtual queue that could be worked by any case worker in any location. I know some applications are more complicated than others, but that doesn't explain why some users who filed in November have already been approved even though they weren't expedited. This type of online system would obviously take time and money to implement, but it is going to happen eventually. The NVC now has an online version of the DS-230 called the DS-260, it is currently limited to a handful of consulates, but at least it is a start and a good way to prove that an automated system can reduce processing times for everyone.

Hi!

We just received our NAO2 notification through email today! So what happens next? I already have all the papers for the beneficiary ready. What should I do next regarding the NVC? Call and get a case number? Help!

We are thrilled!

Felicitaciones! Glad to see another VJ member with a July NOA1 date getting approved. Keep them coming CSC!

What is the difference between DS-230 and DS-260? Because my wife will only be sending DS-230. Is anything else required to be sent with DS-230?

From what I can tell the DS-260 is an online version of the DS-230 form. It looks like it is limited to a handful of consulates:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_5164.html

This is my favorite part of that link:

"While use of the online forms is currently limited to applicants who meet all of the conditions above, these forms will eventually be implemented worldwide and required for all immigrant visa applications."

Imagine when all of this can be done through online forms. Should cut down the processing time and no more physical applications that get randomly processed out of order.

A glimmer of hope, maybe? Just saw that a VJ member reported receiving their NOA2 yesterday for their I-130 application. Their NOA1 date was 7/18 and it was processed by CSC.

I wonder if they have been working some applications the moment they arrive to keep their average processing time below 5 months.

I'm growing more pessimistic each day that there will also be a longer than average wait between receiving the NOA2 and the NVC assigning a number to my case. It's obvious that they are dealing with a large number of applications and that is going to trickle down to the NVC as well. I understand they can only process so many applications in one day and that they are working a lot of different application types. I just wish they would process them in the order which they were received instead of randomly picking some lucky people while extending the miserable wait for others.

Just about every day a family member of a friend will ask me when my wife will be joining me here in the US. They are always shocked when they hear how long I have waited so far and that I have at least another 2-3 months before the process will be complete. I have heard a few accounts of people who simply couldn't wait any longer (in one case the wife was pregnant and they wanted to have the birth in the US) so they had their spouse travel to Mexico and cross the border illegally. I would never consider this because I don't want to have the fear that one day my wife and step-daughter might have to be deported. This just shows the desperation some people feel for having to wait so long to be reunited with their loved one when it is a man-made delay that is causing their extended separation.

Finally, I would like to wish all employees of the USCIS, NVC, and Consulates around the world a Happy New Year! I'm sure they are normal every day people like the rest of us who are just doing their jobs as best they can given the rules and regulations they have to work with.

It's now been a week since a VJ user reported receiving an NOA2 for an I-130 application. I expected there to be a slowdown this week with a lot of people out on vacation, but not this slow. I'm well aware that VJ users only represent some of the applications that are pending, but it still is a good way to track actual processing times. 154 days have now passed since my NOA1. Once I hit 160 days I will contact my Congressman's office for the second time to see if they can be of any help. At this point I just hope that when I do finally hear from the USCIS that it is an NOA2 and not an RFE.

Have you contacted your Senator or Congressman yet? I was in touch with both about two weeks ago since the holidays were so close. The Immigration Specialist for my Senator's office was very kind and contacted USCIS on my behalf, since we were still in the five month window they wouldn't do anything. I am to email the Senator's Immigration Specialist on January 2nd and she is going to request that our file be pulled. I can only hope that this does something to speed up the process.

I contacted Congressman Jim Matheson's office through their online form in mid November. They responded back to me and told me that until I have waited 5 months they don't get involved. I too am planning to contact the office again a week from today if I haven't heard back from the USCIS by then.

Yes, I understand all this but it doesn't make it any easier with the waiting...unfortunately.

I feel your pain. Today is our 5 month mark and it can be frustrating to see that some VJ users are getting approved so fast while others are waiting 5 months and beyond. Hopefully we will fly through the NVC process. I have already gathered all the documents they will ask for so we won't be adding to the wait. Hang in there, our day will come soon.

I understand there are people waiting longer than me. I am not asking for special treatment. But, I also think adding my voice to those that are waiting and not satisfied with the current system might help push it towards change at some point. The USCIS could make some changes that would make our life and their life easier. (yes, it would require money up front but would save them MORE in the long run and bring their processes into the 21st century heh)

My thoughts exactly. According to the Q&A with a former case worker they take about 15 minutes to process an application once it hits their desk. I paid $840 for 2 applications (one for my wife and another for my step-daughter). It would seem to me that the USCIS could hire more people to work these cases. In my opinion 5 months is already a ridiculous amount of time to have to wait. It will be 5 months for me next week and I will be hoping to get my NOA2 in early January, but if they are officially only working 6/15 applications that won't likely be the case.

I may ruffle some feather with this last statement/question, but how long do you think it would take to process if there were no expedite requests? I've often used the analogy that we are waiting in a line with about 100 people in front of us. Each day 3 people get processed, but instead of having 97 people in front of you the next morning there are 98 because an expedite request came in.

I've known my wife for over 16 years so it won't kill me to have to wait an extra month to be reunited with her and my step-daughter, but each day she becomes more and more frustrated and worries that the day will never come when we can be together for good.

Exactly. Rin and I married in October 2006. She arrived April 2007. I filed my 2006 return (had an extension) in June with a W-7 (Rin had a K-3, therefore could not get a social security number). Her children followed to join in September 2007.

She and the children received their EADs in August 2008. I had filed for a six month extension to file my 2007 return so had all their SSNs for 2007. Additionally, I spoke to several IRS helpline employees regarding claiming her children for 2007 since they had only been in the USA for three months. Some of the helpline employees said yes, some said no, one said she didn't know but file it and if it is wrong they would let me know.

I filed 2007 claiming the children as dependents and also filed an amended return for 2006 claiming them. Both were approved. Essentially children are considered residents of the home where their parent is a resident. As we declared Rin a resident for tax purposes in 2006, her children were also residents. Another thing in our favor was children can be absent from the home for a number of reasons, including attending school. While in Thailand they attended private school to improve their english skills, thus we had a valid reason for them not to be at our home in the USA.

Do not confuse immigrant physical presence and tax residency - they are different.

I was married to my wife in June of this year. I submitted an I-130 for her and for her daughter in July and received NOA1 on 7/27/11. Still waiting on NOA2, but based on what others are reporting it will probably take the full 5 months and then some so probably won't get it until the first few weeks of January. Then another few months before the interview. My question is will I be allowed to file as married filing jointly with my step-daughter as an exemption for my 2011 taxes? My wife quit her job in December 2010 so she has no income in 2011. Thanks in advance!