Meaning of processing times?

[Cilian7 1]

I am a US citizen and filed an I-130 for my Canadian wife last year. We received NOA 1 and a priority date of early October, with our case presently in the "Initial Review" status (according to the USCIS website). I have periodically checked the USCIS website (via the Case Status tool) to see if there are updates and the only thing that seems to change on there is the Processing Times at the NBC for the I-130. Around the time we filed it was about 7 months, then it dropped to about 5 months a month or so later, and now it is up to 9 months. I'm confused on how I should read that. What do the numbers on there (USCIS National Goal; USCIS National Average; and, particularly, the National Benefits Center times) apply to in regard to our current case status? Any feedback on this would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

[B & G 200]

Firstly.. best thing you can do is ignore the processing times on the USCIS website. They contradict each other to no end.

You will get a better idea of the approx processing time on the VJ forums. Since you are a Oct filer, if you haven't join the October 2013 I-130 Filers thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/458956-october-2013-i-130-filers/, do so now. You will find fellow VJ members that have all filed their I-130 petitions in Oct just like you.

If I had to give you an approx time its anywhere from 6 to 9 months. There are members that have filed in June and July that are still waiting, 8 and 7 months respectively and then there are members like myself that filed in Aug and got an approval in 6 months.

Also keep an eye on the Sep filers thread, they are right before you and USCIS has already started their transfers, October is not far behind.

[NikLR 13,227]

Do me a favour and

Then tell me when you filed exactly.

Then contact your congressman and get them on the case because you have likely been waiting FAR too long.

Also, please tell me what is your local USCIS office.

[Cilian7 1]

Do me a favour and

Then tell me when you filed exactly.

Then contact your congressman and get them on the case because you have likely been waiting FAR too long.

Also, please tell me what is your local USCIS office.

I can do that. Would you like me to provide it in this thread or in a PM? Also, is there a template for the letter to my Congressman, or an outline of what I should say/include? Thanks!

Firstly.. best thing you can do is ignore the processing times on the USCIS website. They contradict each other to no end.

You will get a better idea of the approx processing time on the VJ forums. Since you are a Oct filer, if you haven't join the October 2013 I-130 Filers thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/458956-october-2013-i-130-filers/, do so now. You will find fellow VJ members that have all filed their I-130 petitions in Oct just like you.

If I had to give you an approx time its anywhere from 6 to 9 months. There are members that have filed in June and July that are still waiting, 8 and 7 months respectively and then there are members like myself that filed in Aug and got an approval in 6 months.

Also keep an eye on the Sep filers thread, they are right before you and USCIS has already started their transfers, October is not far behind.

Thanks for the info. Do you mean 6-9 months from October 2013 for the entire process to be completed (for my wife to be able to come down), or for the initial review? If the latter, approximately how long after that? Thanks.

Edited March 1, 2014 by Cilian7

[NikLR 13,227]

In the thread please. I really dislike getting PM's about immigration topics when there is a broader resource here in the open forum. I'm not an immigration expert or a lawyer.

[Cilian7 1]

In the thread please. I really dislike getting PM's about immigration topics when there is a broader resource here in the open forum. I'm not an immigration expert or a lawyer.

Sounds good. As I recall I sent out the initial packet (I-130, evidence, etc.) in late September (26th, I believe), and received word back in early October (8th, I believe) with an October 3rd priority date. It was said to be going to the NBC for review. On the USCIS website it counts us as being in the "Initial Review" stage. I will fill in the timeline, thanks. Phoenix, AZ is my local office.

[NikLR 13,227]

EDIT...

I'm getting my years mixed up. You're within normal processing times. /headdesk.

/gets coffee

they're working on May 2013 right now.

Edited March 1, 2014 by NLR

[NikLR 13,227]

i am so sorry if i got you upset as well. I should learn not to post unless i've had 1) a coffee and 2) am sure of what year i'm in and what one we're talking about. I keep forgetting it's 2014.

OMG i've almost been married 2 years.

[B & G 200]

I can do that. Would you like me to provide it in this thread or in a PM? Also, is there a template for the letter to my Congressman, or an outline of what I should say/include? Thanks!

Thanks for the info. Do you mean 6-9 months from October 2013 for the entire process to be completed (for my wife to be able to come down), or for the initial review? If the latter, approximately how long after that? Thanks.

No. That timeline is not for the whole process. That's just to get an NOA2. Even though it seems you have been waiting for a long time.. you really haven't. As NLR stated.. you are withing normal processing times. USCIS at the moment is almost done transferring and approving aug 2013 filers.. they just started to transfer sep 2013.. i would expect some movement for Oct 2013 filers that where sent to NBC, some point in the last 2 weeks of march.

Follow the sep and Oct 2013 threads to start getting an idea of when you might get an approval.

EDIT...

I'm getting my years mixed up. You're within normal processing times. /headdesk.

/gets coffee

they're working on May 2013 right now.

happens to the best of us!

[NikLR 13,227]

I swear my brain has suddenly stopped working in the AM because it's Saturday. LOL

[TBoneTX 45,299]

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