A little confused about where our paperwork is and how long it all takes

[I love my Canuck 2]

Hi fellow VJers -- Might anyone be able to help clarify for us what kind of experience we might expect to have timing-wise?

I'm a U.S. citizen. Husband's Canadian, living in Canada. We received our CR-1/I-130 NOA1 on 11/27/12. Apparently our application was sent to the NBC. From what we've been reading, it appears we're anticipating our NOA2 next (but where do we find out about processing times for the NBC for I-130s?), then an interview, then...the visa, right?

How long is all of this taking folks right now? It's hard to make sense of the USCIS timelines, the ones here, and the ones we've found on a few other sites. We're just trying to make sense of it all as we feel our life together is a bit on hold until we can both be in one place!

Any help or suggestions are warmly welcomed, and a warm greeting to you all from us -- relative newbies to posting. Thanks!

[speedwell 224]

Hi fellow VJers -- Might anyone be able to help clarify for us what kind of experience we might expect to have timing-wise?

I'm a U.S. citizen. Husband's Canadian, living in Canada. We received our CR-1/I-130 NOA1 on 11/27/12. Apparently our application was sent to the NBC. From what we've been reading, it appears we're anticipating our NOA2 next (but where do we find out about processing times for the NBC for I-130s?), then an interview, then...the visa, right?

How long is all of this taking folks right now? It's hard to make sense of the USCIS timelines, the ones here, and the ones we've found on a few other sites. We're just trying to make sense of it all as we feel our life together is a bit on hold until we can both be in one place!

Any help or suggestions are warmly welcomed, and a warm greeting to you all from us -- relative newbies to posting. Thanks!

Hello, ILMC You filed a standalone I-130, without the I-485, right, and without an adjustment of status? In that case your file is being sent, or has already been sent, to your local office for processing. There isn't enough information right now to nail a date for processing after that because the local offices are different, and because they don't post that info yet. But we have seen processing times from as short as five weeks after the NOA1 to as long as filed on the day they started transferring to the local offices (August 15) and not approved yet.

We all know what it's like to have to place our lives at the mercy of impersonal government flunkies. We wish the flunkies well, but by god we wish they'd hurry up and approve us. PLEASE fill out your timeline if you haven't already to help provide a point of data so we can try to figure this stuff out too.

Edited January 10, 2013 by speedwell

[I love my Canuck 2]

Thanks for the response, speedwell. We filled out a timeline but it doesn't appear like everyone else's. I'm a bit of a Luddite, so perhaps you can suggest what I may be doing incorrectly that it's not appearing?

We filed 10/17, received NOA1 via Email on 10/23. Hardcopy NOA1 came on 11/27. On 12/6, checked status online again, and still wasn't showing up in the system. By 1/4, we were showing up as "Initial Review" just like you.

We haven't received any news about any local office transfer. It merely informed us that the case had been routed to NBC.

[I love my Canuck 2]

And yes, just a standalone I-130.

[speedwell 224]

Thanks for the response, speedwell. We filled out a timeline but it doesn't appear like everyone else's. I'm a bit of a Luddite, so perhaps you can suggest what I may be doing incorrectly that it's not appearing?

We filed 10/17, received NOA1 via Email on 10/23. Hardcopy NOA1 came on 11/27. On 12/6, checked status online again, and still wasn't showing up in the system. By 1/4, we were showing up as "Initial Review" just like you.

We haven't received any news about any local office transfer. It merely informed us that the case had been routed to NBC.

It shows up on your timeline: Based on timeline data, your I130 may be adjudicated between January 27, 2013 and February 2, 2013*. Your NOA1 shows the date your application was accepted for processing, which should be October 23. That's a very long time to wait for the hard copy. Look at it and see what it says for "priority date" in the top right. If it says October 23, change the NOA1 date in your timeline because right now it shows the day you received the hardcopy. My timeline says Based on timeline data, your I130 may be adjudicated between December 17, 2012 and December 23, 2012*, which is a complete belly laugh.

Almost all mid-October filers didn't show up in the system for a long time; my record didn't show up till December 13. Your case was probably transferred to the local office (which one?) before your case showed up, as mine did. You may call the USCIS customer service line and request a tier 2 support rep to look at your file (the first person you talk to will not be able to see that part of the file). Simply call the number and hang on the line till someone picks up to get a real human rep (they will begin in Spanish; politely ask for "English, please").

[I love my Canuck 2]

What timing! I literally just received an email update from USCIS in response to a customer service inquiry from 12/6 about not being able to access case updates. They responded all this time later and indicated that the case had been rerouted to the Washington Field office (WAS) Office on November 16, 2012.

Thanks for the info. I'll check my hardcopy tonight when I get in and update the timeline if needed.

And yes, I know the customer service system well by now. I think to myself sometimes, *how* do most people navigate this giant ball of tangled yarn? Wow, it won't be winning any prizes for excellence in customer service anytime soon, I'll tell you that.

Thanks again for your help. Truly appreciated.

[speedwell 224]

What timing! I literally just received an email update from USCIS in response to a customer service inquiry from 12/6 about not being able to access case updates. They responded all this time later and indicated that the case had been rerouted to the Washington Field office (WAS) Office on November 16, 2012.

Thanks for the info. I'll check my hardcopy tonight when I get in and update the timeline if needed.

And yes, I know the customer service system well by now. I think to myself sometimes, *how* do most people navigate this giant ball of tangled yarn? Wow, it won't be winning any prizes for excellence in customer service anytime soon, I'll tell you that.

Thanks again for your help. Truly appreciated.

Excellent, I strongly suspect your priority date is the October 23 figure, because your case was routed to the local office the same week ours was. Glad you got a reply from them!

Edited January 10, 2013 by speedwell

[I love my Canuck 2]

Excellent, I strongly suspect your priority date is the October 23 figure, because your case was routed to the local office the same week ours was. Glad you got a reply from them!

I checked the receipt again and you were right. Our priority date was October 19.... However, that means we're well past our processing estimate window. What now?

[Ms Hogan 295]

Don't go by the estimates if you've been sent to a local field office. There are way too many offices for VJ to be able to make such predictions. The estimates used to be based only on 3 offices (not local but "national" I guess they'd be considered) which was easier to track and therefore make predictions off of. The local field offices are on their own schedule with their own staff so your estimate won't make much sense. Take some time to poke around the boards. Look at other timelines. Look at people's signatures who have their dates listed. It will help you to get an idea of timing from different places.

[speedwell 224]

I checked the receipt again and you were right. Our priority date was October 19.... However, that means we're well past our processing estimate window. What now?

You are NOT past the processing window... you're only over the VisaJourney estimate. 5 months is the "normal" processing time. We should both hear something soon

[I love my Canuck 2]

Good stuff. Thanks so much! It really does help to commiserate with others in the same boat.

[The Mean Lady 604]

There is no guarantee your file is at your local office.

It could indeed be at the NBC still and you'd have to call the USCIS and speak with an ISO to be sure.

I'd say you should count on 3-5 months or approval.

And not get disappointed if it takes 6.

[NikLR 13,227]

I agree with KDH. Not all I-130s are going to local offices. Unless you call or they send you a notice you just do not know. Even when people call they tend to get conflicting stories.

This will take a bit. Pull up a chair, get the rest in order, and wait. Please join us in the Canada forum for tips related directly about Canadians going through this process (EP, online forms, EI and domicile.) Montreal is a stickler about domicile so it's a good topic to be up to date and informed on.

[The Mean Lady 604]

I agree with KDH. Not all I-130s are going to local offices. Unless you call or they send you a notice you just do not know. Even when people call they tend to get conflicting stories.

This will take a bit. Pull up a chair, get the rest in order, and wait. Please join us in the Canada forum for tips related directly about Canadians going through this process (EP, online forms, EI and domicile.) Montreal is a stickler about domicile so it's a good topic to be up to date and informed on.

Just don't bother posting in the domicile thread or no one will ever answer you

[Darnell 8,478]

here's the MSC tracker -

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?form=2&visa=3&scenter=4&option=3&sortby=2