Heads up about processing times at CSC

[Orando 57]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/344779-i-found-this-post-and-thought-it-would-be-helpful/page__p__5079364__fromsearch__1#entry5079364

Thanks for posting that, that was a good read! Approving the petition looks very methodical, check the box, CSC must have a work load/staffing issue right now, slowing things down. Lucky me, I get to go see my wife in a couple of months, so that is something nice to look forward to and break-up the wait time.

[Ryan H 3,812]

I don't understand it either because the I-129F is supposed to let the spouse into the US while the I-130 is still pending, and yet they have the same processing times.

The statement I put in bold is incorrect. An I-129F is a petition filed by a US Citizen with USCIS, in no way, shape, or form does it grant a foreign spouse permission to enter the US. The foreign spouse will still need to apply for and be issued a visa before coming to the US and the foreign spouse will not be able to apply until the petition filed on their behalf is approved.

Since 2006, USCIS has been tying I-129F petitions together with the I-130 it was filed in conjunction with (USCIS does so by pulling the I-130 from its current place in the queue and placing it with the I-129F that was just submitted).

Your petitions have been tied together and will likely be adjudicated at the same time. If both are approved, they will be sent to the NVC. If the NVC receives both petitions at the same time or if the NVC receives the I-130 before receiving the I-129F, the I-129F filed to start the K3 process will be administratively closed leaving only the I-130 active which will result in your spouse applying for a CR-1 visa (IR-1 if married for two years or more). NVC began administratively closing I-129F's filed in conjunction with I-130's in February 2010.

Edited January 20, 2012 by Ryan H

[Ryan H 3,812]

Topic is more germane to Progress Reports, moved from Process & Procedures.

[pushbrk 12,883]

Thank you so much for calling and reporting this news for us. I just told my wife regarding this and we are both saddened. But as you said, we will stay strong and get through this. So thanks for those hopeful words as well.

My wife's friends are suggesting me to call the USCIS to find out the status of our I-130 petition. We are currently 4 months into the waiting period.

Would it help me and my wife, in any way if I called?

Not in the least.

[bigdog 376]

There is a big hang up with FBI name checks, my contact at the bureau say, too much work, it does not make a difference if they work fast or slow, their pile never changes. If you go over a year then you can possibly file a writ of mandamus. We were told time line started when each CSC office got the file. Any way hurry up and wait. Keep calling every 30 days.

[rok 3]

For those of you that have already filed, too late. But for anyone else, and future filings: The thicker the file, the longer it is going to take before some government employee decides to open it. We have kept our filings to the minimum, and we have shorter than typical processing times. Other members have noticed the same thing.

wish whatever you said comes true.

[Swingman_Tomoyo 2]

Hey folks, I hope we are all doing well today in the midst of our visa journey insanity...?

Just wanted to give all you I-130 applicants a heads up, for those of you whose petition is at CSC. It states on the USCIS website that it takes aprox. 5 months to process. Well for all of us beyond 5 months and without our NOA2, we know this is not the case. We were on the phone today with a lovely woman who was so helpful (i know this is not always the case). The California Service Centre current processing time is ***7 MONTHS***. I know this is a pain and longer to wait, but i was relieved to find this out and know that our petition is (1) not lost and (2) is still with in their CURRENT processing times. And yes i do understand that everyones case is different and often handled differently. Sometimes even the smallest bit of information can ease some stress though.

We are in I-129F (as K3) processing aswell and per our dates we can call back for a further update after february 1st.

Stay strong my fellow visajourney-ers. We will get through this!

Thanks for the update! At least we now know what to look forward to. Btw, is the 7 months time frame for everyone?

[soteropolitana 4]

So we can throw that "CSC processing from Oct 11, 2011" time line out the window, huh?

Wow, I haven't heard that - where did you get that information from? My filing date is Oct. 12 I still don't understand why so many petitions go to CSC when Vermont and Texas seem to always have faster processing times. 7 months!! Ugh...

Edited January 20, 2012 by soteropolitana

[Samantha78 117]

For those of you that have already filed, too late. But for anyone else, and future filings: The thicker the file, the longer it is going to take before some government employee decides to open it. We have kept our filings to the minimum, and we have shorter than typical processing times. Other members have noticed the same thing.

I think you're right on the money with this. I sent my petition in July 17, got my NOA2 within 45ish days. Only sent in what was required or suggested from this site, nothing more. I waited to submit further evidence at the interview. It think people get nervous and assume that USCIS are going to be the ones to make the big decision, which we know is incorrect.

[Ryan H 3,812]

I still don't understand why so many petitions go to CSC when Vermont and Texas seem to always have faster processing times.

Texas doesn't adjudicate I-130 petitions (or I-129F petitions).

[Enigma11561 336]

Everyone knows this process can take some time. It is expected. Why do some people have to wait longer?

1. Seasonality. More petitions are filed in certain months, more than others. If you are in that grouping, your petition will take a bit longer.

2. The USCIS works on a lot of different visa types. When one category gets backlogged, they switch over to reduce that backlog at the expense of a different category. The petition in front of you could have been the last one and these people, as an example, might have waited 5 months. They switch before getting to yours and now your wait, as an example, could be 8 months.

3. Information given. Those that submit a ton of photos and a suitcase of skype logs may sit for awhile as the officers could process 10 petitions in the time it took to review just this one. Too much information is not always a good thing.

4. Certain countries will simply take longer due to high fraud rates that need additional time to do background checks.

5. Accurate information. If your paperwork is not complete, missing info, not enough info ( without going overboard as above), this can also delay the process.

6. Manpower. Most petitions are opened by contractors who do a quick review to ensure that all T's are crossed and the I's dotted. Often financial reasons will limit the workforce and the time lines suffer. Nothing you can do about this.

There may be other reasons as well, but it can be anybody's guess why YOUR petition took longer. I do know that with very few exceptions, they do get to it, sooner or later.

[J&JWS 2]

Thanks for the update! At least we now know what to look forward to. Btw, is the 7 months time frame for everyone?

No, i'm sure this is not the case for everyone, as all cases seem to be handled differently. Some are getting approval in shorter times. I was just putting it out there so that those of us who are waiting longer have a little bit of a better idea. I would suggest to people to call in regards to their own petitions. It's not going to speed things up but you might get a better idea of what happening.

[J&JWS 2]

Thank you so much for calling and reporting this news for us. I just told my wife regarding this and we are both saddened. But as you said, we will stay strong and get through this. So thanks for those hopeful words as well.

My wife's friends are suggesting me to call the USCIS to find out the status of our I-130 petition. We are currently 4 months into the waiting period.

Would it help me and my wife, in any way if I called?

You are welcome. It's not going to hurt if you call, but it's also not going to make things go any faster unless you have a valid reason to apply to expedite your case. I say when you hit the 5months, call. You may get some answers, you may not, but at least you tried. Good Luck!

[kwbaille 0]

For those of you that have already filed, too late. But for anyone else, and future filings: The thicker the file, the longer it is going to take before some government employee decides to open it. We have kept our filings to the minimum, and we have shorter than typical processing times. Other members have noticed the same thing.

Thank you for yet another dash in my hopes. My file was rather substantial in evidence. I'm also filing with CSC. I suppose that means I'm really, really screwed.

[TraciB 0]

You are welcome. It's not going to hurt if you call, but it's also not going to make things go any faster unless you have a valid reason to apply to expedite your case. I say when you hit the 5months, call. You may get some answers, you may not, but at least you tried. Good Luck!

Take it from me, I just passed six months, they still don't tell you anything more. Now I have confirmed that they didn't lose my file, all they can say is that they are backlogged six months.

Thank you for yet another dash in my hopes. My file was rather substantial in evidence. I'm also filing with CSC. I suppose that means I'm really, really screwed.

I think its better to have more evidence than not enough. It may save you from an RFE in the end.