Priority Date of K-3/I-129F - Confirm or deny

[M and K 0]

I’ve read some limited discussion on K-3 Priority Dates and I’d like to know other’s opinions.

Based on VJr’s timelines, I believe that the K-3 Priority Date is based on I-130 (physical) receive date (sent date). Not by NOA1 and not by I-129F dates.

As proof of my assumption, I’m including the current VJ timelines (CSC Only) in order by I-130 sent dates, between July and December 07.

I’ve highlighted the time lines that reflect I-129F sent dates beyond the USCIS processing dates. This would indicate to me that they are not using that date.

Opinions are always welcome, but I would greatly appreciate anyone that can provide USCIS documentation that confirms or disproves my assumption.

Names--------------I-130(sent)---I-130(NOA1)---I-129F(sent)---I-129F(NOA1)---I-129F(NOA2)-----I-130(NOA2)

B & S---------------7/17/2007-----7/26/2007------7/29/2007------11/5/2007---------00/00/00-----------12/12/2007

Paula & Mark----7/17/2007-----7/26/2007------8/1/2007--------8/23/2007---------3/7/2008-----------3/7/2008

Chunyuan & M--7/17/2007-----8/29/2007------8/17/2007------9/26/2007---------3/18/2008----------3/18/2008

Arlene & Bru-----7/18/2007-----8/8/2007--------8/27/2007------9/4/2007------------

dina & laspe-----7/19/2007-----7/23/2007-------7/19/2007------8/21/2007--------3/12/2008---------3/12/2008

Jennifer & L------7/19/2007-----7/26/2007-------8/22/2007------8/31/2007--------3/14/2008---------3/14/2008

manasa & gov--7/19/2007-----7/31/2007-------9/19/2007------9/20/2007----------

Astrid & Roc----7/21/2007-----7/26/2007-------10/2/2007------10/24/2007----------

Kader & Sue----7/23/2007-----8/1/2007---------8/20/2007------10/4/2007----------

Monalisa Top---7/25/2007-----8/15/2007-------8/20/2007------8/29/2007--------00/00/00-----------1/29/2008

patrick & ni------7/25/2007-----10/31/2007-----12/3/2007----------

Darry & Jacq---7/25/2007-----9/10/2007-------9/20/2007------10/1/2007--------3/27/2008----------3/27/2008

Edith & Boyc---7/26/2007-----8/10/2007------8/23/2007------10/8/2007---------00/00/00-----------2/22/2008

Dominda & Ri--7/26/2007-----9/13/2007------10/2/2007------10/5/2007---------3/21/2008-----------3/21/2008

Dimo & Genev--7/26/2007-----8/8/2007-------8/8/2007--------10/10/2007-------3/19/2008-----------3/19/2008

L & Z---------------7/27/2007-----9/6/2007-------9/11/2007------9/19/2007---------3/11/2008-----------3/11/2008

MFH & SH-------7/27/2007-----9/10/2007------9/10/2007------9/24/2007--------3/13/2008-----------3/13/2008

A.L.L. & J.C-----7/27/2007-----8/28/2007------7/27/2007------8/30/2007--------3/19/2008-----------3/19/2008

D & J---------------7/29/2007-----8/15/2007---------------------

B & L--------------7/30/2007------8/2/2007--------9/4/2007--------9/11/2007--------3/10/2008---------3/10/2008

Sara & Khan----8/3/2007-------8/29/2007------8/3/2007--------8/29/2007---------3/13/2008---------3/13/2008

rajesh & lau-----8/6/2007-------9/21/2007------10/12/2007-----10/23/2007-------3/11/2008---------3/11/2008

Lek & Tim--------8/7/2007-------9/10/2007------10/9/2007----------------

Muhammet &--8/7/2007-------9/21/2007------9/27/2007------10/4/2007--------3/7/2008-------------3/7/2008

Cass & Tim-----8/7/2007-------9/5/2007-------9/12/2007------9/28/2007--------3/24/2008-----------3/24/2008

Xiaomin & Ra--8/7/2007-------9/25/2007------9/26/2007------10/9/2007--------3/25/2008-----------3/25/2008

john & est-------8/7/2007-------9/24/2007------9/26/2007------10/2/2007--------3/11/2008-----------3/11/2008

Grace & Ada---8/8/2007-------9/25/2007------10/11/2007-----10/16/2007------3/11/2008----------3/11/2008

Reem & Phil----8/13/2007-----10/1/2007-----10/8/2007------10/17/2007-------3/7/2008------------3/7/2008

Jaouad & Sa----8/13/2007-----9/25/2007-----8/13/2007------9/26/2007---------3/4/2008------------3/4/2008

s & s--------------8/16/2007-----9/28/2007-----10/4/2007------10/10/2007--------3/10/2008----------3/10/2008

Hannah & Br----8/16/2007-----9/27/2007-----9/28/2007------10/29/2007-------3/13/2008----------3/13/2008

neetu & sunn---8/17/2007-----9/26/2007-----10/5/2007------10/10/2007-------3/10/2008----------3/10/2008

Sandra & Ale---8/17/2007-----8/20/2007-----1/7/2008--------1/10/2008--------3/10/2008----------3/10/2008

Nadia & Nick---8/17/2007-----10/1/2007-----10/5/2007------10/19/2007-------3/11/2008----------3/11/2008

Juliana & Mi----8/20/2007-----10/4/2007------8/20/2007------10/9/2007--------3/10/2008----------3/10/2008

Nazia & Adee--8/20/2007-----12/28/2007----1/7/2008--------1/9/2008----------00/00/00-----------2/20/2008

Chandni & Vi---8/21/2007-----10/1/2007------10/10/2007-----10/16/2007------3/22/2008---------3/22/2008

Luiza & Cris----8/23/2007-----10/1/2007------10/9/2007------10/11/2007----------

rose & Billy-----8/23/2007-----10/4/2007------10/31/2007-----11/5/2007-------3/26/2008---------3/26/2008

Zankhana &-----8/29/2007-----12/22/2007----12/28/2007-----1/18/2008-------3/7/2008-----------3/7/2008

Hiromi & Jas---8/30/2007-----12/21/2007-----1/8/2008--------1/17/2008-------3/25/2008----------3/25/2008

george & jod---8/31/2007-----9/12/2007-------8/31/2007-------9/12/2007-------3/13/2008---------3/13/2008

SD & ED--------9/4/2007------12/24/2007-----12/31/2007------1/23/2008----------

Emily & Jaso--9/4/2007------12/28/2007-----1/2/2008---------1/4/2008---------3/19/2008---------3/19/2008

Onyebuchi & --9/5/2007------12/22/2007-----9/5/2007---------10/23/2007-----3/26/2008---------3/26/2008

Mirjana & Br----9/6/2007------1/3/2008--------1/8/2008---------1/22/2008-------3/7/2008-----------3/7/2008

Jigy & Anish----9/10/2007-----1/14/2008---------------------

KKK & SSS-----9/12/2007-----1/5/2008------1/7/2008----------1/10/2008----------

Ice & Fire--------9/20/2007-----1/7/2008-------1/9/2008----------2/14/2008----------

tarn & deep-----9/20/2007-----1/4/2008-------1/15/2008---------1/31/2008-------3/31/2008---------3/31/2008

Verity & Nei----9/24/2007-----1/4/2008-------1/10/2008----------1/18/2008------3/12/2008---------3/12/2008

Aingela & Je---9/24/2007-----1/7/2008-------1/15/2008----------2/19/2008-------3/18/2008---------3/18/2008

Maria Luisa ----9/27/2007-----1/8/2008-------2/19/2008----------2/22/2008-------00/00/00---------3/3/2008

R.B.O. & N-----9/28/2007-----1/12/2008-----1/14/2008----------1/29/2008----------

Shanti & S------9/28/2007-----1/15/2008-----1/22/2008----------1/28/2008----------

joy & JJ----------10/3/2007-----1/8/2008-------1/18/2008----------1/22/2008----------

Paz & John-----10/9/2007-----1/10/2008-----1/17/2008----------2/4/2008----------

Rachid & Car--10/15/2007----1/17/2008----------------------

Carla & Scot---10/15/2007----10/18/2007----1/19/2008---------1/22/2008-------3/27/2008-------3/27/2008

El & Bri----------10/17/2007----2/6/2008-------2/12/2008----------2/22/2008----------

bojana & boj----10/23/2007----1/18/2008---------------------

Said & Yvett----10/30/2007----1/18/2008-----3/29/2008----------------

Ka & Me---------10/30/2007----1/17/2008-----1/22/2008--------1/29/2008----------

zozo & zaz-----11/7/2007-----1/22/2008------1/24/2008--------1/31/2008-----3/31/2008-----

Claudia & Ci---11/8/2007-----1/22/2008------1/28/2008---------1/30/2008----------

Hamdi & R-----11/9/2007-----1/22/2008-----------------------

PATRICK &----11/10/2007----1/23/2008-------2/9/2008---------2/13/2008----------

Leash & Ja-----11/15/2007--------------------------

Mourad & L-----11/17/2007----11/29/2007-----2/15/2008-------2/20/2008----------

Annie & Tim----11/20/2007----11/21/2007-----1/30/2008-------2/4/2008----------

Pedro & Kim----12/4/2007-----1/30/2008-------2/7/2008---------2/25/2008----------

Hardeo & Ang--12/4/2007-------2/15/2008-----2/28/2008-------3/6/2008----------

Claudia & Ni-----12/10/2007-----2/1/2008------12/10/2007------2/1/2008----------

tummy & B-------12/11/2007-----1/18/2008-----1/26/2008-------2/4/2008----------

Princess &-------12/12/2007-----1/31/2008-----2/6/2008---------2/11/2008----------

Anthony & An---12/13/2007-----1/30/2008-----2/6/2008---------2/8/2008----------

Elena & Cons----12/13/2007-----1/31/2008-----2/5/2008---------2/7/2008----------

Tomoko & Ken---12/18/2007----2/25/2008---------------------

Heather & Sh-----12/18/2007----2/4/2008------2/18/2008-------3/28/2008----------

Current CSC / VJ timelines link I used: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...ll&dfile=No

[payxibka 10,045]

Since a spouse of a USC received immediate visa priority, a priority date in this circumstance is meaningless.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

You are correct. The Received Date of the I-130 is now being used as the priority date. I have posted a few comments about this.

For example, I sent in our I-129F petition in July and was approved around the same time as other who sent their I-129F as late as January. However, since our Received Dates for the I-130 were similar, we were processed at the same time. Keep in mind that individual cases do vary and don't always follow standard procedure. Also, processing can take longer for some cases and this affects the eventual approval date.

You can best see this trend on this report.

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...ll&dfile=No

[pushbrk 12,898]

You are correct. The Received Date of the I-130 is now being used as the priority date. I have posted a few comments about this.

For example, I sent in our I-129F petition in July and was approved around the same time as other who sent their I-129F as late as January. However, since our Received Dates for the I-130 were similar, we were processed at the same time. Keep in mind that individual cases do vary and don't always follow standard procedure. Also, processing can take longer for some cases and this affects the eventual approval date.

You can best see this trend on this report.

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...ll&dfile=No

You are using "priority date" to mean something different than USCIS means for it to be used. Spouse and fiance(e) "priority date" is meaningless because there is no waiting for a visa to "become available". They get "immediate priority".

What you're talking about is the date from which USCIS counts seven months forward before they'll take an official imquiry from you about your case. Please don't mix up the terms.

[gogo 6]

I disapprove.. otherwise I would be approved already..

[ColombianoGringo 0]

True. Unfortunately, that term has been used a lot around here to mean the date by which processing order is determined. In fact, I have heard this term used in the same way by more than one USCIS rep at CSC . I don't think this is an official use of the term, but in practice, it is being used in this way when referring to spouse and fiance visas.

The point is that petitions are seemingly being prioritized by the Received Date shown on the NOA1 for the I-130. The I-129F NOA1 seems to have very little if any relevance when determining processing order on most cases.

Edited April 2, 2008 by ColombianoGringo

[M and K 0]

You are using "priority date" to mean something different than USCIS means for it to be used. Spouse and fiance(e) "priority date" is meaningless because there is no waiting for a visa to "become available". They get "immediate priority".

What you're talking about is the date from which USCIS counts seven months forward before they'll take an official imquiry from you about your case. Please don't mix up the terms.

Ok, point well taken. I will then define my own term, since there doesn’t appear to be one defined.

"K-3 Prioritization Date": The date which USCIS using to prioritize K-3/I-129F spouse visa petitions for processing.

They have to use some date, because they specifically say first in – first served. I am of course praying for the I-130 receive date.

Not that I fully believe that (Nor does gogo), but we have to remember that there are endless possible causes for delay.

Sorry gogo.... I hope for the best....

[pushbrk 12,898]

You are using "priority date" to mean something different than USCIS means for it to be used. Spouse and fiance(e) "priority date" is meaningless because there is no waiting for a visa to "become available". They get "immediate priority".

What you're talking about is the date from which USCIS counts seven months forward before they'll take an official imquiry from you about your case. Please don't mix up the terms.

Ok, point well taken. I will then define my own term, since there doesn’t appear to be one defined.

"K-3 Prioritization Date": The date which USCIS using to prioritize K-3/I-129F spouse visa petitions for processing.

They have to use some date, because they specifically say first in – first served. I am of course praying for the I-130 receive date.

Not that I fully believe that (Nor does gogo), but we have to remember that there are endless possible causes for delay.

Sorry gogo.... I hope for the best....

Good choice of terminology.

A common misconception about FIFO processing is that the "approval" process is completed in one step on one day. The number of steps and time for each step varies widely and yes there are endless possible additional steps and causes for delay.