Realistic processing times

[kristenm 0]

Please excuse this late night ramble, but how long will this process really take? I filed my I-129F two weeks ago, and while I was not expecting a speedy approval, the length of people's time lines are flipping me out! Based on my initial research, the process was approx. 120 days to receive the K-1 Visa. However, according to most time lines on this site, 120 days just to get your petition approved is to be considered an answered prayer. Is this really for real? What is going on and why is my NSC transferring my petition to the CSC? Esp. since Vermont seems to be a hell of a lot more efficient. I am so confused and demoralized. What is going on! Any clarrifcation would be greatly appreciated.

[Cristy 4]

The timelines are pretty accurate. More accurate than any USCIS dates you will find.

[JenT 0]

The timelines are pretty accurate. More accurate than any USCIS dates you will find.

Your case is being transferred because the USCIS restructured the responsibilities of the service centers at almost the same time as the IMBRA legislation went into effect. VT has typically has the fastest processing time, but VT has even recently transferred petitions to CA due to workload imbalances...

Patience is the unfortunate name of the game with this process. Suggest that you don't make any wedding plans until you have been approved for the visa.

[kristenm 0]

The reason I am trying to figure out how long this process will take is because I have give my employer an estimated time frame for my departure. I was intially not going to take another work contract because I didn't think I thought this process was going to take 4 months. However, it no longer appears as such. Know I am trying to figure out how many more months I would be able to work before I get my K-1 Visa. 6 months, 8 months, 10 months........... Any educated guesses would be GREATLY appreciated. I just need an estimate time frame.

I feel totally cluesless and trying to get a better and more realistic perspective on how long this will take.

[snz1802 0]

its really hard to say, some people get approved quicker than others, due to security checks and such. i know that my case took about 189 days to approve, so did a few others that i know of, but then others only took 90 days to approve, it is really hard to say.....wish i could give you some kind of better timeframe, but there really isn't one when you are dealing with the USCIS

[Robin28 2]

The reason I am trying to figure out how long this process will take is because I have give my employer an estimated time frame for my departure. I was intially not going to take another work contract because I didn't think I thought this process was going to take 4 months. However, it no longer appears as such. Know I am trying to figure out how many more months I would be able to work before I get my K-1 Visa. 6 months, 8 months, 10 months........... Any educated guesses would be GREATLY appreciated. I just need an estimate time frame.

I feel totally cluesless and trying to get a better and more realistic perspective on how long this will take.

Well it's really hard to guess .. because you never know what is going to happen. There are variable roadblocks in this process. Our visa interview will fall @ the approx. 5 month point .. Our petition went to Vermont .. yours CSC .. you will 'very' possibly wait longer then we had to because of that alone ... Then you must take into account that the time you will wait for an interview in Montreal is longer than the wait for Vancouver by @ least one month from what i have seen .. So with those things considered i would "guess" @ least 7 months ... Hope this was of some help. Good luck and i hope things go fast for you

[Canuck Carrie 1]

I filed last year, it took exactly 5 months from filing to having my Visa in hand. I would add a minimum of 2 - 3 months to the process now with all the changes.

Good luck and welcome to VJ!

[kristenm 0]

A BIG HUGE thank you to everyone who has replied to my midnight ramble.

To be honest, I am truly amazed at everyones calm words of wisdom and positive vibes. I have only just started this process two weeks ago and my patience/optimism is already taking a hit - I just want to start my new life now, not when somebody says go. That said, I completely understand the need for all our visa's to be regulated and processed/approved in a vigilant manner, but does it really have to take so long, we do have lives we would like to begin. The joy of having your emotions and your logical reasoning abilities to clash as such! I guess I just subjected all of you to a mid-afternoon ramble this time. Sorry, I will try to keep my self in check in the future and stay on topic. GGrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........

Thanks again and good luck.

[amarceau 0]

No worries about the rants.... I'm sure everyone will agree, we have all been there. Myself included. My husband and I got married on May 20th, I came back to Canada, put my house on the market, called moving companies, got quotes, etc.... All the time not even remotely comprehending the amount of time this was going to take. My husband was also completely in the dark on how hard it was to immigrate to the US, and he's Amercian Like you, we had figured MAYBE 4-5 months max. Like you, after finding VJ and reading everyones timelines and stories, we quickly came back down to earth from la-la visa land. It will take you a few more weeks to accept that there is really nothing you can do to speed it up. Stressing out only makes it worst.

Cheer up - Stay Happy - All the while thinking..... this is a small drop of time in the grand "rest of your lives together". That's how I manage to stay sane through it all.

[Jersey Girl 2]

It takes however long it takes. We all make guesstimates based on others and we all have surprises, good and not so good.

It's important to remember that no one is entitled to a visa, regardless of their relationship to a USC. You're responsible for knowing the facts and having a realistic timeframe. Your life and happiness are in your own hands (not the USCIS), which is why we all have strategies for living through the months it takes to get a visa.

You're just beginning and could probably sign on for a 6-month contract at work. If you have to leave early, well, stuff happens. You might also try a month-to-month arrangement. Need a beer?

[Robin28 2]

I totally need a BEER !

[JenT 0]

** sharing a beer with Robin **

You'll probably need something stronger than beer by the time this is all over.

[Robin28 2]

** sharing a beer with Robin **

You'll probably need something stronger than beer by the time this is all over.

Heheh .. I think your onto something Jen Tequila anyone

[Movin on New Life 3]

** sharing a beer with Robin **

You'll probably need something stronger than beer by the time this is all over.

Heheh .. I think your onto something Jen Tequila anyone

some time saving tips is to have your forms already gathered and completed so when requested all you have to do is complete and send out. for example the affidavit of support, your original documents with translations, police certificates etc.

good luck

[Buttons 0]

Please excuse this late night ramble, but how long will this process really take? I filed my I-129F two weeks ago, and while I was not expecting a speedy approval, the length of people's time lines are flipping me out! Based on my initial research, the process was approx. 120 days to receive the K-1 Visa. However, according to most time lines on this site, 120 days just to get your petition approved is to be considered an answered prayer. Is this really for real? What is going on and why is my NSC transferring my petition to the CSC? Esp. since Vermont seems to be a hell of a lot more efficient. I am so confused and demoralized. What is going on! Any clarrifcation would be greatly appreciated.

Start Collecting some of the info you'll need : Long form Birth Certificate (not the wallet size)

Affidavit of Support, Research where you will go for medical and police name check. This is so when Package Three arrives you just check all these off and send it right back. Keep in mind the medical needs to be recent when the interview comes so don't book it until Packet Three comes and the name check is only good for 6 months I think !!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck and Happy VJ ing.