Process

[Maricris & Phil 36]

I am happy for anyone and everyone who is approved or so desperately waiting to be approved.  I am just curious how someone can submit their I129F the same date as me for a Filipina and receive their NOA1, their NOA2, and get their interview and be approved before I even get my NOA2; the only difference I can see is they live inCalifornia!!!!  They were through the I129A process and approved in 99 days and through the interview process in 184 days!!!  I just want to know if it helps to know someone high up in USCIS or live in the state you are processed in since they were also sent to California just as I was?  Again, I am overly excited and thrilled for them but there are many cases that are waiting even longer than I have been waiting just to receive their NOA2.

 

Thank you in advance for any comment on this topic!!!

Edited February 13, 2018 by Penguin_ie
personal timeline of another member

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

The process can vary a lot. It all can depend on the person looking over your file. They are backed up with a lot of other cases. Any RFE's, person takes sick time, vacation, ect.

If someone who is processing one petition, get's an RFE reply from another one they may switch petitions...

Files are not processed entirely on "first come first serve", it's just when someone get's to it.

 

There are people who received their NOA2 and they submitted their petition in November 2017 already, so there is no really specific/correct answer. It's a waiting game.

Edited February 12, 2018 by Ben&Zian

[cdneh 3,112]

Probably as well, because no two cases are identical.  The first come first served thing only applies to petitions as they hit the door, that they do in order. Afer that, they cash your check, put your paperwork in the order they want it, and it goes into a file box to wait.

 

I do get what you are saying though. When we applied, ages ago now, there was a couple who hadn't even met each other until a month after we filed, and they were one of those that got through in record time.  Did it burn my biscuits? Indeed it did. But once I stopped comparing timelines, and tried to focus more on the next steps, it bothered me less. I knew they hadn't magically jumped the queue or pulled any strings, they just made it through the process faster than we did. It is not a  transparent process, which in itself can be crazy making.

 

Hang in there, it will come when it does! 

[audacieux89 256]

In my experience, it depends on the officer who gets your case. Some work faster than the other. So even if you both submit at the same time, your application arrives at the same time at the lockbox/mailroom, it all depends on the officer who gets your application. Some are very meticulous, some are new at what they do, some are very experienced and know what to look for, some are lazy...you get the idea.

 

Just be patient and be aware of the processing times. You can follow-up if you think your case is taking longer than the usual trend. 

In the meantime, life goes on. The fiance being petitioned can start preparing for the interview, know what he or she needs to do and prepare once the application gets approved.

[Perfect two 💑 1,147]

26 minutes ago, Maricris & Phil said:

I am happy for anyone and everyone who is approved or so desperately waiting to be approved.  I am just curious how someone can submit their I129F the same date as me for a Filipina and receive their NOA1, their NOA2, and get their interview and be approved before I even get my NOA2; the only difference I can see is they live inCalifornia!!!!  They were through the I129A process and approved in 99 days and through the interview process in 184 days!!!  I just want to know if it helps to know someone high up in USCIS or live in the state you are processed in since they were also sent to California just as I was?  Again, I am overly excited and thrilled for them but there are many cases that are waiting even longer than I have been waiting just to receive their NOA2.

 

Thank you in advance for any comment on this topic!!!

VJ Member Immigration Timeline
	Petitioner's Name: Eric Beneficiary's Name: Anne VJ Member AnnEric: Profile - Homepage Last Updated: 2018-02-07

Immigration Checklist for Eric & Anne:

USCIS I-129F Petition:       Dept of State K1 Visa:     USCIS I-485 Petition:   USCIS I-765 Petition:       USCIS I-131 Petition:       USCIS I-751 Petition:   USCIS N-400 Petition:

 

K1 Visa Event Date Service Center : California Service Center Transferred? No Consulate : Manila, Philippines I-129F Sent : 2017-07-28 I-129F NOA1 : 2017-07-30 I-129F RFE(s) :   RFE Reply(s) :   I-129F NOA2 : 2017-11-06 NVC Received : 2017-12-14 Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned :   NVC Left : 2018-01-19 Consulate Received :   Packet 3 Received :   Packet 3 Sent :   Packet 4 Received :   Interview Date : 2018-01-30  Submit Review Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required):   Second Interview Result:   Visa Received :   US Entry :   Marriage :   Comments :   Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 99 days from your NOA1 date.  Your interview took 184 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.

 

 

Look at this thing like you are buying things from a grocery store. You and other customers finished shopping at the same time but all of you in a different row waiting for the cashier. The rule is once you are on that line, you will not able to change line anymore. Some of the lines might be fast because the cashier is so fast in doing his/her work. Some of the lines might be taking more times because the cashier is a bit slow in doing his/her work (she/he might double check or maybe triple check their work) and some of the lines might be taking forever because he/she have lots of things to do or might even be taking leave after taking few customers. Besides all of that line, might have a fast line for items below five. Even all of you finished doing the shopping at the same time, however, because of the different cashier, the time taken to leave the grocery store differs.

Same like submitting the petition. Even you and others submit it on the same day or maybe they submitting it earlier than you or later than you, because of the officer who processing your petition is different. The time taken to get an approval is different too. The "fast line" that I mentioned before is the line for those who are expedited their case. Maybe, the VJ members that you screenshot above expedited their case, that is why they even get the visa approval even before you get your NOA2. 

[BlueSapphire 4]

You shouldn't compare your case with others. If all people doing that, others who submitting before you will all complains about why you got your NOA 2 before them. 

[Jon&Margz 132]

Just curious will you plan to work in the US?  Do you have a special field?  My flipina wife and I faced a few hurdles after she arrived and we learned "the hard way" how long everything takes.  Happy to share with others about: Driver's license,  EAD (work permit),  Nursing field (RN, LVN), etc.

Edited February 13, 2018 by Jon&Margz