Current Wait Time Confusion

[IvyWallace 0]

Hello,

 

I was hoping someone could shine a bit of light on how USCIS actually process cases, it’s evidently clear that they don’t actually process them in case-order as I’m seeing people who applied in June/July 2023 being approved whilst I applied in February 2023 and still have moved absolutely nowhere from receiving my NOA1.

[Dashinka 24,419]

Good luck trying to figure out how USCIS processes cases.  I know it is frustrating to see other contemporary cases completed while your’s is still in process, but there are many factors involved.  Each case is individual, and some may require more attention than others, also it is not clear within USCIS if they re-assign cases if a clerk/IO is on vacation, or out.  It does seem that USCIS tries to somewhat balance the workload, but like in any relatively large government bureaucracy, who really knows what parameters are used.

 

Good Luck!

[appleblossom 2,349]

2 hours ago, IvyWallace said:

Hello,

 

I was hoping someone could shine a bit of light on how USCIS actually process cases, it’s evidently clear that they don’t actually process them in case-order as I’m seeing people who applied in June/July 2023 being approved whilst I applied in February 2023 and still have moved absolutely nowhere from receiving my NOA1.

They will start to process them in order of receipt, but various factors will make a big difference to the total processing time (background checks etc).
 

You’re still well under the average processing time so I wouldn’t worry yet. And the good news is that London is one of the quickest consulate right now, so at least that part will be super speedy. 
 

Good luck. 

[Crazy Cat 41,651]

2 hours ago, IvyWallace said:

Hello,

 

I was hoping someone could shine a bit of light on how USCIS actually process cases, it’s evidently clear that they don’t actually process them in case-order as I’m seeing people who applied in June/July 2023 being approved whilst I applied in February 2023 and still have moved absolutely nowhere from receiving my NOA1.

Generally, K-1 cases (more so than others) are processed in order of receipt.  But as the late, great  @geowrian used to say, "USCIS service centers are like a large grocery store.  Some lines are just a little faster than others".

In all honesty, no case is the same.  Individual background checks, individual adjudicator workload, etc. also play a part in the processing speed.  The only instance I can recall of not generally processing in order was with I-751s a couple years ago.  Patience really is a virtue when it comes to immigration matters.  The journey is long and difficult for most couples.

 

Edited February 23 by Crazy Cat

[yuna628 9,665]

Just imagine a giant dumpster. Then imagine them tossing all the files of cases into that dumpster. No system, no sorting, no organization, all mixed around. A couple officers will pick whatever is on the top for the week and the rest of the time is playing candy crush, zoom meetings, and napping. In other words they'll get to your case eventually, but it won't make much sense how long it will take getting to it.