What is "normal" processing time for K1?

[Articgirl 3]

I am spending way too much time on this forum. I know I have to wait:) My question is this.

We received our NOA1 on Nov 7 2012. On this forum I have read several times that a normal processing time is 5 months for a K1. (It doesn't seem like many of you get an NOA2 in 5 months.) My stress levels went up today with the wait as my daughter has been selected to play on a college team in the state I'm moving to. School starts in August and it sounds like she can't start school or play ball there if my K1 visa has not been approved. The school doesn't think there is any point in applying for a student visa as she is moving here to live with me permanently as my dependent. 5 months from our NOA1 date is April 7th. That's coming up soon. Is it reasonable for me to inquire about our application as early as April 7th? Is there anything I can do to get her to school by summer? I don't know who else to ask and very much appreciate your help. Thank you.

[hikergirl 277]

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

According to the VJ guide on K-1s you are looking at approx 8 1/2 months from NOA1 to Visa issuance.

Not sure if that’s going by the current Service Center times or not.

But even then there are variables such as how fast you get through NVC (which I don’t know anything about for K1s) to trying to get an appointment with whichever consulate you are going to for your interview.

If you are a Westerner going through Vancouver it’ll likely be quicker than an Easterner going through Montréal because Montréal is busier.

California Service Center is going really slow right now from what I’m reading on here, but it make pick up as different types of cases are shuffled around.

[Maxheadspace 48]

5 months from our NOA1 date is April 7th. That's coming up soon. Is it reasonable for me to inquire about our application as early as April 7th? Is there anything I can do to get her to school by summer? I don't know who else to ask and very much appreciate your help. Thank you.

According to the "Processing Time" button, above, it says that in December 2012 the wait for NOA1 approval was roughly 5.5 months for California CSC. Be happy, I'm looking at 7 or 8 months with Vermont service center. Why can't you go back to Canada and re-set your visit visa? Doesn't that give you another six months here in the States? And can't you do that indefinitely? I'm a little fuzzy on the laws with Canada post 9/11. Used to be Canadians could pretty much live in the states as long as you didn't get a job and you re-set your visa every six months. (I used to live in Miami, and many of my neighbors were Canadian "snow birds.") Sorry if that displays my ignorance. And why not call the service center? It can't hurt, and it only costs the expense of the call. Good luck!

[Bayareaguy 156]

Oh ho ho ho....you should be glad to be in VSC, CSC is deader than $h!# right now.

[Articgirl 3]

Thank you so much for your help:) I need some help on the processing times button. Where does it say "that in December 2012 the wait for NOA1 approval was roughly 5.5 months for California CSC." If that is true I may still be OK with for the start of college for my daughter. I know it's all a big guessing game! I see the chart on that page that says they are processing k1 visas from July 18th. It's been the same for a very long time. I think I'm lost as to how to look at the page. I have been spending quite a bit of time in the US with my fiance. I go back and forth and it's working although I just about missed my flight the last time I came thru. They held me in customs for a long time. I was pretty scared. I was let in on a conditional visa. I have to leave by April 19th and I can't change status while I'm here. I anticipate I'll have those problems quite frequently from now on. My only rush... well, apart from the waiting is hard, is wanting my daughter to be able to start college in August and play volleyball. That is my firm deadline. If there was a number I could call I would! (Not that my case is any more "special" than anyone else.)

Thanks you VERY much for the advice on the Vancouver consulate vs Montreal. I was excited read that. An 8 1/2 month time frame would work! It would be tight, but it would work. Thank you... I have spent my whole day trying to figure this out. So much to learn. I appreciate your time.

[Bayareaguy 156]

Oh, you are CSC, I'm sorry.

Well, unless things change drastically (and it is still possible), you are looking at longer than 8 1/2 months.

The july people are into 8 months, and I am almost halfway into 7 months...just to get the NOA2. Then there is NVC, and the medical and embassy.

Every day CSC is processing like they currently are doing, the longer it gets for everyone.

The way things are going, I will be lucky if my fiance and her kids are here by August.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Bayareaguy

[Articgirl 3]

Oh ho ho ho....you should be glad to be in VSC, CSC is deader than $h!# right now.

i just read thru all 3 pages of your analysis. No fun. Thanks for all your work. I hope to see better news soon... as does everybody else on this page.

Oh, you are CSC, I'm sorry.

Well, unless things change drastically (and it is still possible), you are looking at longer than 8 1/2 months.

The july people are into 8 months, and I am almost halfway into 7 months...just to get the NOA2. Then there is NVC, and the medical and embassy.

Every day CSC is processing like they currently are doing, the longer it gets for everyone.

The way things are going, I will be lucky if my fiance and her kids are here by August.

I am so sorry to hear of your wait. I don't stand much of a chance at this point. I've seen all the 7 and 8 month "waiters" on my many hours of looking today. No good.

[TBoneTX 46,262]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Case Progress subforum. ***