Just Curious Why Vermont visa Applications Take So Long

[Vizaguy123 9]

Hey, I'm unsure if this is the correct place to ask this but upon checking the processing times page, I noticed that Vermont is estimated to take up to 15-20 months for processing and even though I didn't file at the Vermont service center I was wondering why that is? Does it reflect how long most applications are going to take at all of the service centers in the U.S.? Is there a specific reason why they are taking longer in Vermont and California is taking between 5-7 months? I'm asking this because even though I didn't file at the Vermont service center, I was curious whether the  wait times were usually the same everywhere for the most part and perhaps the other time frame estimates haven't updated yet, or if that 15-20 month timeframe only reflected the Vermont service center exclusively. Would I still likely get NOA 2 this month (or next month), or am I expected to be waiting 15-20 months as well considering the current political climate?

[payxibka 10,047]

10 minutes ago, as1996 said:

Hey, I'm unsure if this is the correct place to ask this but upon checking the processing times page, I noticed that Vermont is estimated to take up to 15-20 months for processing and even though I didn't file at the Vermont service center I was wondering why that is? Does it reflect how long most applications are going to take at all of the service centers in the U.S.? Is there a specific reason why they are taking longer in Vermont and California is taking between 5-7 months? I'm asking this because even though I didn't file at the Vermont service center, I was curious whether the  wait times were usually the same everywhere for the most part and perhaps the other time frame estimates haven't updated yet, or if that 15-20 month timeframe only reflected the Vermont service center exclusively. Would I still likely get NOA 2 this month (or next month), or am I expected to be waiting 15-20 months as well considering the current political climate?

Nobody files to Vermont,  they get the most complicated petitions transferred to them from California.   Processing times are specific to an office or service center 

Edited October 14, 2020 by payxibka

[powerpuff 6,748]

Application that need extra screening (mostly due to criminal history of the applicant) go to Vermont. Hence the extra long wait. 

[JFH 12,191]

Vermont is where they do the enhanced FBI checks for those applications where the background of the petitioner needs further investigation. These take time.

[Greenbaum 12,260]

2 hours ago, powerpuff said:

Application that need extra screening (mostly due to criminal history of the applicant) go to Vermont. Hence the extra long wait. 

Not so much as criminals but those who have had high security cleareances while in the military and have extensive travel itineraries and such. Those are the most common not so much with criminals as they are easily weeded out with the first FBI background check. Most never reach Vermont.