"Normal" Processing Time - 63days or 6 months?

[nextsean 0]

I filed my I-129K on Dec 7 2009. Called the USCIS today to find out what the Status is. They said it takes 6 months from submission to approval. On this site under Processing Time, the average time for CSC shows 63 days. Which is right?

I want to make sure my expectation is set. I called USCIS about 1.5 months ago and they said my application is about 21 days away from being processed, but I have not seen any update so far. Can someone shed some light?

[ScottThuy 140]

going by thier numbers you are still inside normal time... but based on VJ stats it is taking longer that average... if you are not approved by next Monday, contact your congressman orsenator to have them doan inquiry on your behalf.. that should help things along unless there is an issue that legitimatly has the case undergoing some additional processing or investigation...

[nextsean 0]

how can these two average time be so far from each other? I understand that there are exceptions, but it's average afterall, no?

[daboyz 36]

how can these two average time be so far from each other? I understand that there are exceptions, but it's average afterall, no?

The USCIS times are "CYA" times if you will. Even though average processing times are much less than 6 months, they publish those times so they don't after answer any calls about it. They can just read from the script. Gotta love the government.

[slangofoil 50]

how can these two average time be so far from each other? I understand that there are exceptions, but it's average afterall, no?

6 months is USCIS's "goal" time for processing a petition. I would not equate that to an "average". 6 months is the time they time they expect you to wait before they'll consider doing extra investigation into your case to see what's taking a while. Processing times seem to vary a lot, so if they were constantly updating the "average" time they'd have people calling them all the time to check their case status. So the "average" you see on this site really has no bearing on how USCIS sees the situation.

Also keep in mind the people on VJ represent a small sampling of the petitions being submitted to USCIS.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I filed my I-129K on Dec 7 2009. Called the USCIS today to find out what the Status is. They said it takes 6 months from submission to approval. On this site under Processing Time, the average time for CSC shows 63 days. Which is right?

I want to make sure my expectation is set. I called USCIS about 1.5 months ago and they said my application is about 21 days away from being processed, but I have not seen any update so far. Can someone shed some light?

Do not set expectations. It will be done when it is done. USCIS states the normal time as 6 months. Some people get it faster, some slower. A whole bunch of you just lost 10 days in the process. Know why? Memorial day! Adjudicators typically work 4, 10 hour days per week. For exampe they work Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday. So Memorial day comes along and they can all get 10 days vacation for only three days used vacation time. What a deal! You will wait.

The parking lot at VSC has been pretty empty all week.

After 6 months your congressman or Senator can make an inquiry, be told "all is OK" and "check back in 30 days"

You may never see an "update", most people do not. Calling them is a watse of time. The person you talk to has no more information that you do. They give you an answer from a "menu" or they make one up. There is very small chance it is accidentally correct. You may as well ask them how many telephones are in Peru.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

how can these two average time be so far from each other? I understand that there are exceptions, but it's average afterall, no?

No. The VJ timeline IS an average of the tiny amount of VJ members (compared to the overall visas processed, (and even then only the members that report) It is an average of a tiny sampling. Like asking 1026 voters who they will vote for, only VJs poll is not scientific.

The governments numbers are NOT averages at all. Nothing of the sort. "6 months" is the party line. They answer that for everything. ask them about an AOS..."6 months". Ask them their favorite ice cream flavor...6 months. It is a meaningless, pre-recorded answer.

The "timelines" they publish quote the OLDEST case of that type in the system. It is in no way an average, it is "worst case" (unless YOU become the NEW worst case, your petition will go faster)

Bottom line? They have the petitions, they process them, you wait. Do not make any plans until the visa is in your fiancee's hand.

FWIW getting the visa is the easy part, and it is but 1/3 of the journey, maybe 1/4. It is a long term thing and this is just the start. You will be dealing with the USCIS for a long time. Settle in.

[nextsean 0]

No. The VJ timeline IS an average of the tiny amount of VJ members (compared to the overall visas processed, (and even then only the members that report) It is an average of a tiny sampling. Like asking 1026 voters who they will vote for, only VJs poll is not scientific.

The governments numbers are NOT averages at all. Nothing of the sort. "6 months" is the party line. They answer that for everything. ask them about an AOS..."6 months". Ask them their favorite ice cream flavor...6 months. It is a meaningless, pre-recorded answer.

The "timelines" they publish quote the OLDEST case of that type in the system. It is in no way an average, it is "worst case" (unless YOU become the NEW worst case, your petition will go faster)

Bottom line? They have the petitions, they process them, you wait. Do not make any plans until the visa is in your fiancee's hand.

FWIW getting the visa is the easy part, and it is but 1/3 of the journey, maybe 1/4. It is a long term thing and this is just the start. You will be dealing with the USCIS for a long time. Settle in.

Thanks for sharing the info. I guess I am pretty close to being the worst case? next Monday marks the 6 months from NOA1.

You seem pretty knowledge in this area. My worry comes from the fact that that my case is rather atypical. would be nice to share some insights - I can send a separate message if you are willing.

[Coleen 2]

Processing timeframe for K1 visas went from 5 to 6 months as of May 14, 2010.

http://www.aila.org/...spx?docid=32018

If your case is beyond this processing timeframe you should think about giving a call to your senator, asking for help.

It's not my intention to be a killjoy or something but it happens that sometimes they even lose someone's case or simply forget about it. It's not common however, but I have seen it's possible.

Good luck.

[TracyTN 237]

Moving thread from K1 process forum to K1 progress forum.

[ScottThuy 140]

You are far from worst case.. there are some here that have been at USCIS forover a year...

The 6 months is a goal... if they are notmeeting it, then its not that big of a deal for them...

[Kazura 0]

That's sad considering the fact that some of those who filed their petition in January and February 2010, their fiancees are now in the U.S. Keep your hope and persistence alive. It it wrong to compare timelines in the first place.