Are petitions not processed in order of priority date (NOA1)?

[plovesg 1]

Our NOA1 date is January 14. I've seen peitions which NOA1 date is later than ours (January 15) and have already received their NOA2. Same service center (CSC) and country (Philippines). Are petitions not processed chronologically? Should we be worried? Thanks everyone!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

They are boxed in roughly receipt order but get processed on their own time line. Someone that filed later may be given to a faster clerk, have a full background check already on file with the government, have a better prepared petition.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Our NOA1 date is January 14. I've seen peitions which NOA1 date is later than ours (January 15) and have already received their NOA2. Same service center (CSC) and country (Philippines). Are petitions not processed chronologically? Should we be worried? Thanks everyone!

Unfortunately not. You don't have to worried. It happens a lot. Someone got approved before me even though my husband filed a week earlier. We did not get RFE or anything. It is just a matter of luck!

[ChrisnKris 6]

Hi there,

Well, we have been wondering the same thing... Yesterday I received an RFE after exactly 3 months waiting for the NOA2... This was the first of any news about our petition... There seems to be no rhyme or reason why some get the second notice so soon and others not!

I've asked this question to others here and it seems nobody has any concrete answers other than speculation and that it probably just depends who's desk it lands on at the service center...

We are also in the CSC... At least we know someone has finally started the process! Yeah...

Yesterday I saw another member who got their NOA2 within 5 days!

Keep the faith and good luck!!!

Chris & Kris

[Megan & Luke 93]

Our NOA1 date is January 14. I've seen peitions which NOA1 date is later than ours (January 15) and have already received their NOA2. Same service center (CSC) and country (Philippines). Are petitions not processed chronologically? Should we be worried? Thanks everyone!

There's a lot to consider when you talk about processing "in order". For example - there are a few countries right now being expedited. The Philippines are one - no matter if you are at TSC or CSC.

CSC is processing most applications within 30-60 days. TSC is sitting at 6-8 months. Other filers may request an expedite for medical or hardship purposes. Others may have complicated cases, background checks taking longer than others, etc.. also whose desk it lands on - but it's mostly what I have already mentioned.

Good luck!

Edited February 6, 2015 by Megan & Luke

[TBoneTX 45,550]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the USCIS Service Centers forum -- topic involves processing-times in general. ***

[coa24 69]

I filed on December 1 and people were approved two weeks after me. I am still waiting to be approved at TSC even though the others that were approved were also from Philippines. So the long haul is here and it has been two months. Okay though, will make it though even if it take to May or June.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

People don't really want to have to wait for everyone who filed in front of them. What is you filed just behind someone with an Adam Welsh issue. Would you be willing to wait until that case was adjudicated ? Just know when you see someone that filed after you get approved that your box is out of the warehouse and someone is going to look at it soon.

[martako 8]

I do not understand, why CSC is working so fast and TSC not. And why some people sent the petition to CSC and other to TSC. What is the difference?

[Megan & Luke 93]

I do not understand, why CSC is working so fast and TSC not. And why some people sent the petition to CSC and other to TSC. What is the difference?

Service centers are assigned by the state of residency of the petitioner. There is a color coded map somewhere here on the forums but I am not able to locate it right now. You can try using the search to find it.

No one knows why CSC and TSC have a huge discrepancy. At times the discrepancies fluctuate and CSC is more behind, but it's very rare. TSC is pretty slow for almost all their petitions.

Everyone sends the petition to the same place - Dallas, TX lockbox. The lockbox then sorts based on state.

[plovesg 1]

Our petition has been approved last Feb 6th! We're not just waiting for the actual NOA2 to be sent via mail. Thanks for the replies! God bless!

[VOL 425]

There's a lot to consider when you talk about processing "in order". For example - there are a few countries right now being expedited. The Philippines are one - no matter if you are at TSC or CSC.

This is non sense

Philippines is not being expedited. They in a general rule usually move faster.

Been that way for many years......

[coa24 69]

This is non sense

Philippines is not being expedited. They in a general rule usually move faster.

Been that way for many years......

Wish I was being expedited and my fiance is from the Philippines.....

[Ms Hogan 295]

The cases are distributed evenly I'm sure among all the adjudicators but then some are easier or more difficult or complicated to process. When I was going through my process I went through very quickly compared to everyone around me. There were a TON of people who filed way before me who were still waiting after I was approved. It happens all the time. Some cases are simple and straight forward, some are from high-fraud countries while others are not. If you have a big pile of high-fraud country applicants or a bunch of those with red flags sitting on top of yours then it's going to take longer to get to your file isn't it?

It isn't as completely disorganized as it feels at times. But it IS unpredictable because there are so many variables in the cases ahead of yours.

Try to be patient. Know that you WILL get through this. And eventually it will all be a distant memory and such a small part of your life together!