When USCIS estimate drops from months to weeks

[TiffAndMike 90]

Forgive me for asking as I know how inaccurate USCIS estimates typically are, I'm just tying to be optimistic that the light at the end of the tunnel is near for my husband and I. We have been waiting close to 14 months now. 

 

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been checking USCIS to see what they are saying for how much longer we have left to wait on our case. For about 2 weeks straight, it said "2 months ". When I checked yesterday morning, it said "5 weeks" .  

 

For those of you who have had your I-130s recently approved, when the estimate drops into weeks, is it usually a good sign that your case is actually currently bring adjudicated?  

 

When the estimate went down to weeks, how long from that point did it take to recieve a decision?

[Cookie88 112]

1 hour ago, TiffAndMike said:

Forgive me for asking as I know how inaccurate USCIS estimates typically are, I'm just tying to be optimistic that the light at the end of the tunnel is near for my husband and I. We have been waiting close to 14 months now. 

 

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been checking USCIS to see what they are saying for how much longer we have left to wait on our case. For about 2 weeks straight, it said "2 months ". When I checked yesterday morning, it said "5 weeks" .  

 

For those of you who have had your I-130s recently approved, when the estimate drops into weeks, is it usually a good sign that your case is actually currently bring adjudicated?  

 

When the estimate went down to weeks, how long from that point did it take to recieve a decision?

 I don't think it means anything. Although, once my case was assigned to an officer I did see more drastic yo-yo-ing happening with the progress tab. It was going from 2 months to 21 months to 'taking longer than expected' and then ended in an RFE while at that progress status.

[TiffAndMike 90]

44 minutes ago, Cookie88 said:

 I don't think it means anything. Although, once my case was assigned to an officer I did see more drastic yo-yo-ing happening with the progress tab. It was going from 2 months to 21 months to 'taking longer than expected' and then ended in an RFE while at that progress status.

Thank you for sharing your experience.  I just checked my account again and a little over 24 hours later, it is now saying "4 weeks". 

 

I'm just grasping at any little sign of hope there is at this point. 

[WoodlandsFamily 27]

50 minutes ago, TiffAndMike said:

Thank you for sharing your experience.  I just checked my account again and a little over 24 hours later, it is now saying "4 weeks". 

 

I'm just grasping at any little sign of hope there is at this point. 

I wouldn't take alot of notice of those timelines, they do yo yo about. I would think it's typically around 16 ish months at the moment so maybe April for you? Good luck 👍 

[TiffAndMike 90]

59 minutes ago, WoodlandsFamily said:

I wouldn't take alot of notice of those timelines, they do yo yo about. I would think it's typically around 16 ish months at the moment so maybe April for you? Good luck 👍 

April 7th would be exactly 16 months for me. I contacted my Senator's office last week expressing my dissatisfaction with how long USCIS currently takes so I've been wondering if maybe something came from that as my attorney's office said that tends to cause USCIS to act. 

[WoodlandsFamily 27]

13 minutes ago, TiffAndMike said:

April 7th would be exactly 16 months for me. I contacted my Senator's office last week expressing my dissatisfaction with how long USCIS currently takes so I've been wondering if maybe something came from that as my attorney's office said that tends to cause USCIS to act. 

That would be great news. Fingers crossed 🤞 

[SL2024 114]

3 hours ago, WoodlandsFamily said:

I wouldn't take alot of notice of those timelines, they do yo yo about. I would think it's typically around 16 ish months at the moment so maybe April for you? Good luck 👍 

 

I agree - the timelines do change usually month to month

[KMG 155]

9 hours ago, TiffAndMike said:

April 7th would be exactly 16 months for me. I contacted my Senator's office last week expressing my dissatisfaction with how long USCIS currently takes so I've been wondering if maybe something came from that as my attorney's office said that tends to cause USCIS to act. 

I have been thinking of contacting my Senator also.  I have not reached 16 months yet, but I believe it is time to start advocating and asking questions and I think we are due some answers... the first one being Why are US citizens waiting so long?  I think we have a right to ask questions. We pay the fee and are following the law, end of story. I know they have a new director now, so I am hoping for a change soon. Enough is enough... Times are only increasing it is not fair.

[KMG 155]

13 hours ago, TiffAndMike said:

Forgive me for asking as I know how inaccurate USCIS estimates typically are, I'm just tying to be optimistic that the light at the end of the tunnel is near for my husband and I. We have been waiting close to 14 months now. 

 

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been checking USCIS to see what they are saying for how much longer we have left to wait on our case. For about 2 weeks straight, it said "2 months ". When I checked yesterday morning, it said "5 weeks" .  

 

For those of you who have had your I-130s recently approved, when the estimate drops into weeks, is it usually a good sign that your case is actually currently bring adjudicated?  

 

When the estimate went down to weeks, how long from that point did it take to recieve a decision?

So this is interesting... I was just on another forum and someone with a December 11, 2023 filing date was approved today, and their spouse is outside the country.  I know they are in the midst of October, right now so it is highly possible for an approval soon.

[FromTheHills 17]

I've chronicled my USCIS estimate in the comments of my timeline. I see no rhyme or reason to it.  

[TiffAndMike 90]

4 hours ago, KMG said:

I have been thinking of contacting my Senator also.  I have not reached 16 months yet, but I believe it is time to start advocating and asking questions and I think we are due some answers... the first one being Why are US citizens waiting so long?  I think we have a right to ask questions. We pay the fee and are following the law, end of story. I know they have a new director now, so I am hoping for a change soon. Enough is enough... Times are only increasing it is not fair.

My Senator's office seemed to be unaware of what is going on at USCIS and how long it is taking them. They thanked me for bringing the issue to their attention.  

 

I think that everyone needs to contact their Senator about the current processing times. Things won't change til people start speaking up and bringing it to the attention of their elected officials.  

 

And I would not hold my breath with the new acting director of USCIS. She was the assistant director under the last administration and she wasn't nominated for the position. She basically got the position by default.  

 

The Judiciary House Committee ripped the former director apart back in December over her management of USCIS. That's probably why she's out. 

 

[TiffAndMike 90]

5 hours ago, KMG said:

I have been thinking of contacting my Senator also.  I have not reached 16 months yet, but I believe it is time to start advocating and asking questions and I think we are due some answers... the first one being Why are US citizens waiting so long?  I think we have a right to ask questions. We pay the fee and are following the law, end of story. I know they have a new director now, so I am hoping for a change soon. Enough is enough... Times are only increasing it is not fair.

We DEFINITELY deserve some questions answered.  We played by the rules, paid the fees and are the ones helping pay their ridiculous salaries.  There needs to be some accountability. 

[KMG 155]

10 hours ago, TiffAndMike said:

My Senator's office seemed to be unaware of what is going on at USCIS and how long it is taking them. They thanked me for bringing the issue to their attention.  

 

I think that everyone needs to contact their Senator about the current processing times. Things won't change til people start speaking up and bringing it to the attention of their elected officials.  

 

And I would not hold my breath with the new acting director of USCIS. She was the assistant director under the last administration and she wasn't nominated for the position. She basically got the position by default.  

 

The Judiciary House Committee ripped the former director apart back in December over her management of USCIS. That's probably why she's out. 

 

This is interesting. I will contact my Senator soon.  I noticed the new director is "acting", so I am guessing they are looking for a permanent one.  

[KMG 155]

10 hours ago, TiffAndMike said:

We DEFINITELY deserve some questions answered.  We played by the rules, paid the fees and are the ones helping pay their ridiculous salaries.  There needs to be some accountability. 

Agreed- I don't know how many times I have read someone on a forum say "every case is different" this was the response they got to there is "nothing that can be done" with no real answers given to them.  The government is accountable to us, regardless.  

 

I plan on returning to the public school system to fill a much-needed teacher shortage, and my husband has a job offer already. Wait times for embassy appointments here are short.  If we could just get this approval,,,, ahhha

[WoodlandsFamily 27]

On 1/30/2025 at 10:32 PM, KMG said:

So this is interesting... I was just on another forum and someone with a December 11, 2023 filing date was approved today, and their spouse is outside the country.  I know they are in the midst of October, right now so it is highly possible for an approval soon.

I'd heard they're working on end of September 2023 but then as you say you hear a December has been put through and it's like "what?!!".  But how does anyone really know what date they are on it seems random though its not supposed to be 😪