Causes of Variation

[ryankh 0]

Hi all,

I don't understand what the cause of variation is for processing times for Visas. I know some factors such as country you are applying from, and the service center that you are getting processed through. But even if we remove these factors, and look into a specific service center for a specific country, there are still wide fluctuations in processing time. Take my situation for example. My fiancée has applied for a K1 visa, from Thailand, as is being processed through the California Service Center. If I search the stats table for processing times for other people with the same processing center/country, here are the last 10 results:

Number NOA1 Date NOA2 Date Time NOA1-NOA2

#1 NOA1: 04/15 NOA2: 06/22 68

#2 NOA1: 03/10 NOA2: 05/04 55

#3 NOA1: 03/15 NOA2: 04/26 42

#4 NOA1: 11/24 NOA2: 04/21 148

#5 NOA1: 03/01 NOA2: 04/20 50

#6 NOA1: 02/19 NOA2: 04/12 52

#7 NOA1: 01/19 NOAs: 04/05 76

#8 NOA1: 10/23 NOA2: 03/31 159

#9 NOA1: 02/08 NOA2: 03/26 46

#10 NOA1: 12/29 NOA2: 03/22 83

This works out to an average of 77.7 days between NOA1 and NOA2. However, the reason why it is skewed so high is because of the 2 outliers (#4 & #8). After looking at both profiles, I don't see any mention of an RFE, or any other reason for delay (though there could have been, and it just wasn't reported on VJ).

But my ultimate question is why the variation? I would have thought that the USCIS would process on a first in, first out methodology. Is this the case? Why are some processed before others? I am at day 94 right now. And I haven't even gotten a TOUCH yet!. Yet, if you look at the latest NOA2, it was processed in just 65 days. And its extraordinarily frustrating to see somebody who received their NOA1 4 weeks after me, get their NOA2 before me (applying from the same country, going through the same service center). I am happy for that couple, and don't begrudge them at all. But it makes me worry if there is something wrong with our Visa application. Can anybody explain the reason for variation? Are applications assigned to people within USCIS, some of whom are slow, and some of whom are fast? Did I simply get put in the "wrong line at the grocery store"? Or do they randomly pick applications from a stack? Is there any rhyme or reason?

I know people will say to be patient, and there are nightmare stories of applications taking much longer than mine, and I will wait as long as it takes. But what I am looking for is a rational reason why there is this seemingly insensible variation. Any insights appreciated. Thanks.

Edited June 23, 2010 by ryankh

[slangofoil 50]

Read the third pinned thread at the top of this forum - here's a handy link for ya

Short answer, petition adjudication is not as organized as you would hope.

Edited June 23, 2010 by slangofoil

[daboyz 36]

This is a common topic of discussion around here. I spent 6 months trying to figure it out. Time would probably better spent on figuring out cold fusion, or something else easier.

I know it's frustrating to see someone who filed 2-3 months after you get approved before you, but it happens. There doesn't seem to be much FIFO going on, even they claim that's how they process the petitions. I know it sucks, but really nothing that can be done about it.

[JD63 4]

There was a thread in which someone on the board had an interview with the director of the VSC. I can't remember, but maybe that has some clues. Offhand I would guess it has to do with additional security checks that have to be performed, most likely by another agency.

[thongd4me 69]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/220499-k-1-petition-information/page__view__findpost__p__3354872

This was the thread; apparently it's closed but it has a wealth of information.

There was a thread in which someone on the board had an interview with the director of the VSC. I can't remember, but maybe that has some clues. Offhand I would guess it has to do with additional security checks that have to be performed, most likely by another agency.

Edited June 26, 2010 by thongd4me