Will Processing Times Pick Up?

[John & Rose 7,239]

21 hours ago, Danny and Taly said:

Im approaching the 6 month waiting period for NOA2. It looks like it will not pick up for some time. I would be prepared to wait the 6 months. I say this not to discourage you, but to help you plan for your future. It is a very frustrating and depressing period to wait. But take it from us who applied 6 months ago, its better to plan for the long haul. Just my thoughts and best of luck to you. 

Also be aware we are only talking about the wait for NOA2.  There can be 2+ months for the NVC and interview followed by AP that can take 10 to 30 days.  

[Marcelina 246]

I think it will be faster at the end of the year and the beggning if 2018.. Just look at the VJ K-1 list... in May there is almost 400 petitions but Semtember is less then 200 again.. It’s still only ppl who decided to use this site so it’s not a complete list but it gives a general idea why processing times got longer. I believe it will be faster again after June petitions are processed. But of course it’s just my guesswork  I’m also supper unhappy I didn’t expect I might be in States in April or May instead of January so.. we have to be patient and survive.

[John & Rose 7,239]

6 minutes ago, Marcelina said:

I think it will be faster at the end of the year and the beggning if 2018.. Just look at the VJ K-1 list... in May there is almost 400 petitions but Semtember is less then 200 again.. It’s still only ppl who decided to use this site so it’s not a complete list but it gives a general idea why processing times got longer. I believe it will be faster again after June petitions are processed. But of course it’s just my guesswork  I’m also supper unhappy I didn’t expect I might be in States in April or May instead of January so.. we have to be patient and survive.

Here are actual numbers from USCIS.  VJ is about 8% of all petitions.

 

Here are the total numbers uptil september (sorry because I'm september I just put it together)

 

There are some threads here talking about one of the reasons for the slow down.  It was a priority change at USCIS that took place in May.  Since then work visas got priority over family visas.  

 

It seems like 5 to 6 months will be the norm for a while.  June will be hit worse with over a 6 month wait but I agree that things will move a little quicker probably starting with August filers.  I still believe that a quick process will be 150 days unlike last year's 40 days.

Edited October 24, 2017 by John & Rose

[Kastrs 723]

54 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Also be aware we are only talking about the wait for NOA2.  There can be 2+ months for the NVC and interview followed by AP that can take 10 to 30 days.  

There is no timeframe on AP, some people are in AP for years

Most people do not have AP

[John & Rose 7,239]

1 minute ago, Kastrs said:

There is no timeframe on AP, some people are in AP for years

Most people do not have AP

Every petition has AP after the interview.  It seems mostly like a last second look through and cleaning up paperwork.  Most visas are delivered in a week but some take as long as 30 days.  I've never heard of AP for years.  The petition would expire.

[Kastrs 723]

25 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Every petition has AP after the interview.  It seems mostly like a last second look through and cleaning up paperwork.  Most visas are delivered in a week but some take as long as 30 days.  I've never heard of AP for years.  The petition would expire.

No, most people are in "AP" for the purposes of printing the visa foil and placing it in the passport, that is not true AP

AP is for additional checks/information and can last weeks, months, or years

The petition can be continually revalidated by the embassy so that it does not expire

[John & Rose 7,239]

5 minutes ago, Kastrs said:

No, most people are in "AP" for the purposes of printing the visa foil and placing it in the passport, that is not true AP

AP is for additional checks/information and can last weeks, months, or years

The petition can be continually revalidated by the embassy so that it does not expire

I see.  Thank you for the clarification!