I-130 - how long is it taking people?

[EmmaZunz 0]

First, it is so frustrating that one has to wait so long for the USCIS to even look at our application (spouse is US citizen in US, I am applying from UK).  We are close to 6 months after our application was received, and just waiting for USCIS to get to our filing date.  Is everybody suffering such an absurdly long wait?

 

Secondly, can people let me know how long it is taking them to get through the process at the moment: USCIS, then NVC and interview?

 

Thanks a lot and good luck.

 

EZ

[lutz 41]

My husband and I are waiting for over 2 years, though his case was denied and reaffirmed, but still no visa.  Not to sound callous, but you must get used to waiting in this process.  Try to keep your mind occupied with other things so you don't drive yourself mad.

[Yeonin 127]

2 hours ago, EmmaZunz said:

First, it is so frustrating that one has to wait so long for the USCIS to even look at our application (spouse is US citizen in US, I am applying from UK).  We are close to 6 months after our application was received, and just waiting for USCIS to get to our filing date.  Is everybody suffering such an absurdly long wait?

 

Secondly, can people let me know how long it is taking them to get through the process at the moment: USCIS, then NVC and interview?

 

Thanks a lot and good luck.

 

EZ

Their advice is to wait six month, before you send them an inquiry about the status of your case. So I suggest once you hit that mark, sed an email or call and ask. You can also end the ombudsman a request for involvement. But yeah uscis says they try to adjudicate a case within 6 months. The UK is not a fraud risk country so it shouldn't hit the year mark for the entire case process.

Edited March 3, 2017 by Yeonin

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[lucasmso 11]

1 hour ago, Yeonin said:

Their advice is to wait six month, before you send them an inquiry about the status of your case. So I suggest once you hit that mark, sed an email or call and ask. You can also end the ombudsman a request for involvement. But yeah uscis says they try to adjudicate a case within 6 months. The UK is not a fraud risk country so it shouldn't hit the year mark for the entire case process.

How can I contact the ombudsman?

[Yeonin 127]

2 minutes ago, lucasmso said:

How can I contact the ombudsman?

Go to this website https://www.dhs.gov/case-assistance

 

[lucasmso 11]

Just now, Yeonin said:

Go to this website https://www.dhs.gov/case-assistance

 

Thanks!!!

[Yeonin 127]

Just now, lucasmso said:

Thanks!!!

You're welcome & good luck!

[lucasmso 11]

2 minutes ago, Yeonin said:

Go to this website https://www.dhs.gov/case-assistance

 

Do you know if there is an ombudsman for the NVC?

[brisraeli 0]

I'm facing the same problem now, our case was received on December 19th and nothing happened for far. Any ideas?

[VeVe 76]

Review country/visa type specific time lines to get estimates of total processing times.  By doing this, we didn't get overly impatient when some parts of the process took longer than others. When people complete their time lines it is extremely helpful.

[Springrain22 427]

5 hours ago, brisraeli said:

I'm facing the same problem now, our case was received on December 19th and nothing happened for far. Any ideas?

Calm down. Too early to worry. If you hit 6 months, then you can ask. Look at the processing dates for your service center first.

[agripa 100]

13 hours ago, EmmaZunz said:

Secondly, can people let me know how long it is taking them to get through the process at the moment: USCIS, then NVC and interview?

Take a look a the VisaJourney timelines. My own processing of the various I-130 threads indicates that USCIS (Nebraska) is taking 6-7 months for normal processing. After this, there is a 2 week period until the NVC receives your application. After that it's taking ~2.5 months (10 weeks) for a case complete. So right now, it's taking 9.5 months to just reach a point where your interview will be scheduled.

 

But yes, everyone else is correct. There is really no point in contacting USCIS prior the six month mark and really, there's nothing they will do until the pass your priority date. Currently, USCIS Nebraska is processing applications as of August 2, 2016.

[cordoba2015 224]

You are still within normal processing times. There are a lot more petitions from August that need to be approved still, we are talking hundreds left. My I-130 took 199 days, that is 6.6 months, and totally normal processing for Nebraska. Anything longer than 7 months is reason to contact them, but before then you just have to wait like everyone else for the petition to be approved. Not to sound negative, but the reality is that there is no way to speed it up. There are hundreds and hundreds of petitions being processed just as slowly, so it is definitely normal. Extremely slow? Yes. Frustrating? Definitely. Just have to wait it out.

Edited March 4, 2017 by cordoba2015

[EmmaZunz 0]

Thank you for your comments, everybody.  Very helpful to get a better idea of what to expect.  Best of luck.