NOA1 - NOA2 current wait-time is 3 MONTHS?!

[Dutchster 1,107]

"That doesn't seem right, especially since it's being processed at the California Center and I'm Canadian."

This made me cringe. What's so different for you than for anyone of us? What makes a Canadian more special? This is immigration, sweetie. They make the rules and they can span the wait as long as they can or want. September - November was the time where they went ultimate fast but December got delayed and I'm sure they're still delayed. Inclusing the RFE, we got our NOA2 in 78 days. I wish I could say, "Gosh, I'm Dutch and without us, America wouldn't have been the way they are now since we had a lot of influance there. It doesn't make any sense they make me wait for so long." Nu-uh.

[thejusts 9]

Sounds like things are slowing down. My estimated date keeps changing here, based on timeline data. So I take it CSC is definitely running behind at the moment with VSC influx and other petitions.

I filed in January and still waiting for NOA2, granted I did get an RFE. With that said, lots of folks who filed earlier this year are much farther ahead than me. Be patient, things will work out!

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Hi,

My USA fiancé and I received our NOA1 5 days after filing, however we just received an email from our attorney today stating that the current wait-time is 3 months for NOA2. That doesn't seem right, especially since it's being processed at the California Center and I'm Canadian.

The attorney said not to expect anything before the END OF JULY.

Any one else receive this information or aware of potential backups at the CA center? Thanks.

One thing that I've learned on this board is that being Canadian is often meaning that immigrant visas are often processed SLOWER than many other countries. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Montreal is a very slow consulate

[PandaSong 15]

So once the NOA2 goes through is the rest going at the normal speed?

As I mentioned in my post before, nope! You're going to have to wait quite a bit. Not only is the NOA1 to NOA2 slowing down, but the NVC case numbers are as well. Not to mention we now only have one consulate in Canada (Montreal) so that most likely will slow down as well since they'll be dealing with all the interviews and paperwork.

[sami&ad 1]

I wish mine would take 3 months! It can take up from 5 to 6 months :/ I'm on day 84 since my NOA1. I'll hopefully get approved in June

"That doesn't seem right, especially since it's being processed at the California Center and I'm Canadian."

This made me cringe. What's so different for you than for anyone of us? What makes a Canadian more special? This is immigration, sweetie. They make the rules and they can span the wait as long as they can or want. September - November was the time where they went ultimate fast but December got delayed and I'm sure they're still delayed. Inclusing the RFE, we got our NOA2 in 78 days. I wish I could say, "Gosh, I'm Dutch and without us, America wouldn't have been the way they are now since we had a lot of influance there. It doesn't make any sense they make me wait for so long." Nu-uh.

My thoughts too.

[cazzers 83]

You think 3 months is a long time? What would you say if you had to wait 7 months+ for NOA2?

[goolia 54]

"That doesn't seem right, especially since it's being processed at the California Center and I'm Canadian."

This made me cringe. What's so different for you than for anyone of us? What makes a Canadian more special? This is immigration, sweetie. They make the rules and they can span the wait as long as they can or want. September - November was the time where they went ultimate fast but December got delayed and I'm sure they're still delayed. Inclusing the RFE, we got our NOA2 in 78 days. I wish I could say, "Gosh, I'm Dutch and without us, America wouldn't have been the way they are now since we had a lot of influance there. It doesn't make any sense they make me wait for so long." Nu-uh.

I'm going to give OP the benefit of the doubt and assume that by saying "I'm Canadian" she meant that she isn't from a high fraud country. Not that this means she will be processed quickly but a lot of people are under the assumption that low fraud countries tend to move at least a bit faster. If that wasn't what she meant though, that is indeed cringe worthy.

[Foreign Fantasy 52]

complaining about 3 months. Pshhhhhh. If it were only so short for married couples, and for people that weren't sent to Califronia.

[capriwithlove 4]

I'm going to give OP the benefit of the doubt and assume that by saying "I'm Canadian" she meant that she isn't from a high fraud country. Not that this means she will be processed quickly but a lot of people are under the assumption that low fraud countries tend to move at least a bit faster. If that wasn't what she meant though, that is indeed cringe worthy.

That's exactly what I meant.

We're all working towards a common goal and it doesn't matter where you're from - we're all equal geographically. That's the beauty of this visa in the first place, so you can be with your loved one in a country you didn't happen to be born into. Of course there's absolutely no discrimination with non-Canadians, I am embarrassed to have been put under that field. I've heard that it is quicker for Canadians, that's all. Guess not, and all is fine! Good to know, thanks.

[phd1974 17]

Sounds about right, 3 months. Assuming no RFEs.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

It seems all USCIS processing has slowed tremendously. Waivers that previously had a four month processing time are now taking 8-10 months. RFE responses that were adjudicated within 2 weeks of receipt are now taking 8 weeks. Something is definitely going on with their staffing.

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

A lot of replies are sort of beating you up over the tone of your message. I wouldn't worry about it. Immigration is a very stressful thing and it's not easy to wait even one month much less the 6 months, 12 months, or even years that many people have to wait for the full process to complete. Your tone wasn't any worse than the tone of some of the scolding replies. Just know that you've found a good website to find answers to your questions.

By the way, what moved you to get an attorney for this process? I ask, because this is a do-it-yourself website and most people here, including me & my wife, did it ourselves with the help of advice on this site.

[Aishat919 14]

I Got my NOA2 in 3 months from Potomac Center

[capriwithlove 4]

It seems all USCIS processing has slowed tremendously. Waivers that previously had a four month processing time are now taking 8-10 months. RFE responses that were adjudicated within 2 weeks of receipt are now taking 8 weeks. Something is definitely going on with their staffing.

I find it such an interesting situation because they're dealing with people's futures. I mean, many aspects of our culture has a heavy influence on our lives, but visa processing has much to do with love and the intense emotions going on with all of these pending cases they're working through. You'd think they'd hire more staff out of humane considerations (sarcasm), ha!

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I find it such an interesting situation because they're dealing with people's futures. I mean, many aspects of our culture has a heavy influence on our lives, but visa processing has much to do with love and the intense emotions going on with all of these pending cases they're working through. You'd think they'd hire more staff out of humane considerations (sarcasm), ha!

Sure, if you want to pay double or perhaps triple the fees! USCIS is a completely self funded organization. They do not receive government dollars. Our visa fees pay the salary. With k1s, ir/cr AOS's, DACA and potentially DAPA etc fees there isn't much to go around as is. It's easy for us to say hire more people as an armchair commentator. They don't make us wait for fun.

Edited April 27, 2016 by Transborderwife