CR-1 Processing Time... No Rhyme or Reason?

[Looking4Wife 0]

Ok, I'm a newbie, and I have been doing my homework (i.e. reading Visa Journey posts, charts, and guides daily). Now I need to consult the forum to check my "answers".

NOTE: Feel free to chime in on only the points that you want to.

Ok, so let me get this straight...

Main Homework:

1. There just is no rhyme or reason to how long each couple's (and therefore my own) CR-1 Visa Journey may take... could be 6 months, 1 year, or more... even if the case is seemingly simple and straighforward without RFE's, RFI's, (or whatever you call those RF's)?

2. I should not be too discouraged by a temporary slowdown, because my case could speed up and complete on a "moments" notice?

3. On the other hand, I should not necessarily get my hopes up (i.e. purchase one-way plane tickets) due to a temporary speed up, because a slowdown could be right around the corner?

4. My case could progress rapidly at the SC level, and then slow down at the NVC level, or vice versa?

5. Usually after you're done with NVC things progress rapidly and straightforward (i.e. you get your embassy/consulate inverview on schedule)?

Extra Credit:

6. IMBRA (aka the "International Marital Bliss Reduction Act") is "gumming up the works" and thereby slowing the processing of CR-1's and K-3's?

7. The so-called "processing times" published by the USCIS Service Centers cannot be relied upon (i.e. some cases may process slower of faster)?

8. Some people may receive an NOA1 (or NOA2, etc.) almost instantly, while others may wait for months?

9. Although each case may (or may not be) processed in the order it was received, a case received earlier may progress at a much slower rate than a case received yesterday, due to innumberable unknown factors?

10. K1 visas ususally take about 4-6 months, but CR-1's and K-3's take about a year?

11. The recent practice of transferring the processing of certain forms to other Service Centers is MORE LIKELY to cause delays rather than speed up the process?

12. The Californina Service Center is historically slow, and the fact that CR-1 forms (i.e. I-130) is being transferred there from other SC's is supposed to be a good thing?

[pja002 0]

I think you've got it spot on. Somebody pin this one!

[yabasta 0]

You`ve done your homework.

Our visa was straight forward with one minor RFE which we dealt with promptly and our visa took us 14 months. We did what we could to speed it up within reason. We could maybe have speeded it up some more but we went with the options we found most comfortable and didn`t print our barcodes or things of that nature. I got my po po certificate a lot sooner than it was required(so much so that it almost would have expired).

I think the trick is to just get into it and then start making general plans but i would not personally book a flight until you have the visa in your hands. The process does become more predictable towards the end but there can still be hold ups and it will seem to be taking forever. A lot of the end process was us not knowing rather than us having a date to work towards.

hope this helps

good luck

[Sabr con baraye Azize delam 0]

You`ve done your homework.

Our visa was straight forward with one minor RFE which we dealt with promptly and our visa took us 14 months. We did what we could to speed it up within reason. We could maybe have speeded it up some more but we went with the options we found most comfortable and didn`t print our barcodes or things of that nature. I got my po po certificate a lot sooner than it was required(so much so that it almost would have expired).

I think the trick is to just get into it and then start making general plans but i would not personally book a flight until you have the visa in your hands. The process does become more predictable towards the end but there can still be hold ups and it will seem to be taking forever. A lot of the end process was us not knowing rather than us having a date to work towards.

hope this helps

good luck

I had my wife go ahead and get her Police report also. I guess mainly to feel like things were moving You mentioned the police report expiring... How long are they good for?

Thanks for the help,

Joshua

[aussiewench 9]

4. My case could progress rapidly at the SC level, and then slow down at the NVC level, or vice versa?

The good thing is that the process for CR-1 at NVC is more hands on so you have some control over the speed your case progresses. You have checked the pinned Timesaver and James Shortcut thread havent you?

5. Usually after you're done with NVC things progress rapidly and straightforward (i.e. you get your embassy/consulate inverview on schedule)?

Depends on the consulate post as some take up to a year to schedule interviews.

6. IMBRA (aka the "International Marital Bliss Reduction Act") is "gumming up the works" and thereby slowing the processing of CR-1's and K-3's?

IMBRA applies only to those filing an I-129F petition for spouse or visa, not the I-130 for the CR-1

10. K1 visas ususally take about 4-6 months, but CR-1's and K-3's take about a year?

Again that is dependent on consulate and how long it takes to approve petitions and move through the NVC process. There is many cases of CR-1's being granted in 6-8 months and same with K-3's.

11. The recent practice of transferring the processing of certain forms to other Service Centers is MORE LIKELY to cause delays rather than speed up the process?

Not necessarily as in the past this has been a positive thing in many cases. It is also not a recent practice..it is something that has happened many times in the past. I-130's that have been transferred from VSC to CSC only recently have already been approved and we should continue to see that happening.

12. The Californina Service Center is historically slow, and the fact that CR-1 forms (i.e. I-130) is being transferred there from other SC's is supposed to be a good thing?

See previous.

Also one should remember that whilst they are presently doing this reshuffle and it looks like CSC will be processing all I-130's, you can bet that other petitions not connected with fiances or married couples are being transferred out of CSC to be now processed at other CSC. The work load theoretically should be balanced.

[Laura_and_IanM 0]

You are great Aussie!! Glad to see you back on forum but...I have to say that I personally didn't expect to see you on here for a bit...something about playing with a pirate??? lol

4. My case could progress rapidly at the SC level, and then slow down at the NVC level, or vice versa?

The good thing is that the process for CR-1 at NVC is more hands on so you have some control over the speed your case progresses. You have checked the pinned Timesaver and James Shortcut thread havent you?

5. Usually after you're done with NVC things progress rapidly and straightforward (i.e. you get your embassy/consulate inverview on schedule)?

Depends on the consulate post as some take up to a year to schedule interviews.

6. IMBRA (aka the "International Marital Bliss Reduction Act") is "gumming up the works" and thereby slowing the processing of CR-1's and K-3's?

IMBRA applies only to those filing an I-129F petition for spouse or visa, not the I-130 for the CR-1

10. K1 visas ususally take about 4-6 months, but CR-1's and K-3's take about a year?

Again that is dependent on consulate and how long it takes to approve petitions and move through the NVC process. There is many cases of CR-1's being granted in 6-8 months and same with K-3's.

11. The recent practice of transferring the processing of certain forms to other Service Centers is MORE LIKELY to cause delays rather than speed up the process?

Not necessarily as in the past this has been a positive thing in many cases. It is also not a recent practice..it is something that has happened many times in the past. I-130's that have been transferred from VSC to CSC only recently have already been approved and we should continue to see that happening.

12. The Californina Service Center is historically slow, and the fact that CR-1 forms (i.e. I-130) is being transferred there from other SC's is supposed to be a good thing?

See previous.

Also one should remember that whilst they are presently doing this reshuffle and it looks like CSC will be processing all I-130's, you can bet that other petitions not connected with fiances or married couples are being transferred out of CSC to be now processed at other CSC. The work load theoretically should be balanced.