Agreeing with others that you most likely will have to wait the full 13-14 months before moving forward from USCIS. Unfortunately, the process is just that slow.
The thing to look forward to is that once you are approved, the process generally moves a little faster. It usually takes the NVC anywhere from 2-4 weeks (per their website) to get your approval from USCIS. However, in our experience this February, they told us that the wait time is between 30-60 days. Once it had been 60 days from receiving our approval from USCIS, I was able to contact the NVC and they were able to provide me with the case number to continue to the next process with CEAC.
Once we completed the CEAC and got our confirmation number, which took about an hour to complete, we had to confirm that the NVC had sent our case to the Algerian consulate, which they did within a week.
Once NVC has sent your case to the consulate it takes about 1-2 days for the consulate to receive your case. (You can check the status on the CEAC website by “checking the status” of your case).
Once they have your case, you can start the process of getting your interview setup by going to traveldocs.us and following the instructions. That is the only way to schedule your interview. You will have to go pay your visa fee and wait a day or so to enter your receipt number and then you should be able to schedule your interview. In our experience, we were able to schedule an interview just 2 weeks away.
Keep in mind, you have to do your medical exam after you schedule your interview, and that is a frustrating part to get scheduled, so make sure you give yourself a couple of weeks so that you get an appointment before the interview. The best way to get an appointment is by email, they will not schedule you if you call. It also take them about 5 business days to respond, but they will respond with an appointment.
Anyway, that has been our experience. Hope the information helps, best of luck!
