When should I follow-up with USCIS?

[sojourner99 0]

It has been 6 months now since NOA1, which is the stated average processing time for the Vermont Service Center. Having worked for the government before I realize that sometimes things can "fall through the cracks" and just want to make sure that hasn't happened so am wondering if it would be good if I started pinging them.

Any thoughts or strategies on this matter? Can it hurt if I call too soon?

[bsd058 296]

It has been 6 months now since NOA1, which is the stated average processing time for the Vermont Service Center. Having worked for the government before I realize that sometimes things can "fall through the cracks" and just want to make sure that hasn't happened so am wondering if it would be good if I started pinging them.

Any thoughts or strategies on this matter? Can it hurt if I call too soon?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412858-when-should-i-follow-up-with-uscis/

See above for accurate processing times. I'm not sure where you got "6 months" from, but the website says they are currently working on June 4th, 2012 petitions. They should be updating it any day now, but they haven't updated it yet.

But it can't hurt to call "too soon." They'll probably just tell you to wait longer, that's all.

Edited February 4, 2013 by bsd058

[sojourner99 0]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/412858-when-should-i-follow-up-with-uscis/

See above for accurate processing times. I'm not sure where you got "6 months" from, but the website says they are currently working on June 4th, 2012 petitions. They should be updating it any day now, but they haven't updated it yet.

But it can't hurt to call "too soon." They'll probably just tell you to wait longer, that's all.

Yeah that "June 4th" date never seems to move and is not accurate since some people on the forums here in July and even August have gotten their NOA2. I got the info from the USCIS dashboard when you check in on the status of your case number. I can't link to it for some reason the way they have done it but Ive attached a screen shot.

[Kastrs 723]

If you go based upon Igors List then it seems you should be processed in the next couple of weeks, I wouldn't get anxious yet.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Kastrs

[bsd058 296]

Yeah that "June 4th" date never seems to move and is not accurate since some people on the forums here in July and even August have gotten their NOA2. I got the info from the USCIS dashboard when you check in on the status of your case number. I can't link to it for some reason the way they have done it but Ive attached a screen shot.

Sorry I keep forgetting that the page doesn't link ever. You have to actually go here: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do

Then scroll to the bottom and pick Vermont. It'll bring you to the right page. It's only been a month since they've updated it. They should be updating it soon,t hough. They are supposed to update it once a month. Sometimes they don't post it until the 15th, though. So it might about a week before they update it.

That other processing times chart that you posted has been inaccurate for the past 6 months or so. At least it has been for I-130 petitions. Perhaps not I-129F petitions.

Edited February 4, 2013 by bsd058

[sojourner99 0]

Ah thanks all. Ok I will check the visajourney timeline and wait a bit before contacting them.

Perhaps they should have another dashboard on the USCIS site that tracks the average time for them to update their average times, hah.

[baron555 934]

It has been 6 months now since NOA1, which is the stated average processing time for the Vermont Service Center. Having worked for the government before I realize that sometimes things can "fall through the cracks" and just want to make sure that hasn't happened so am wondering if it would be good if I started pinging them.

Any thoughts or strategies on this matter? Can it hurt if I call too soon?

Nope too soon. Wait four more months or so.

[CaroSL 68]

It has been 6 months now since NOA1, which is the stated average processing time for the Vermont Service Center. Having worked for the government before I realize that sometimes things can "fall through the cracks" and just want to make sure that hasn't happened so am wondering if it would be good if I started pinging them.

Any thoughts or strategies on this matter? Can it hurt if I call too soon?

You could register too have updates of similar timelines. When get 20 to 50 mails with timelines updates (you are gonna get so many during 2 or 3 weeks), it means chances are high you are gonna get your NOA2 soon. So before you get all those updates about other who filled at the same time: do not worry, your petition is most probably just waiting patiently in line.

If two, 3 weeks after you get all those VJ notification about people having their NOA2, you still have nothing, I would call and try to know what is going on.

Baseline is: Anywhere aroud 200 days, this is normal to still be waiting, there is no reason to over worry about your application.

But if you wanna call now, go ahead. We did this, we couldn't wait... Just be aware that this will be a long and painfull work, the person you talk to probably knows less about the process than you do, they are going to give you exactly the information that is on the website, and it won't change anything to your case. But knowing all this, I still made my fiancé call, cause it reassured me to at least try to do something. (yes, smthg's wrong with me)

[sojourner99 0]

Nope too soon. Wait four more months or so.

300 days between NOA1 and NOA2? While that may be the case in some instances I don't see anywhere listing this 10 month time frame as an average. Where are you getting that from?

[baron555 934]

300 days between NOA1 and NOA2? While that may be the case in some instances I don't see anywhere listing this 10 month time frame as an average. Where are you getting that from?

I made it up. Everyone is using the average timelines as hard numbers and only causing themselves undo anxiety.

If you knew going in that is would take 10 months but you got it in 6, then you'd be happy. Correct?

NOA2 is only one small step in your Visa Journey....you will be dancing with USCIS for at least four more years.

Get used to the waiting; get a hobby, paint the house, when they are here you all can do it together as you wait some more.

[sojourner99 0]

I made it up. Everyone is using the average timelines as hard numbers and only causing themselves undo anxiety.

If you knew going in that is would take 10 months but you got it in 6, then you'd be happy. Correct?

NOA2 is only one small step in your Visa Journey....you will be dancing with USCIS for at least four more years.

Get used to the waiting; get a hobby, paint the house, when they are here you all can do it together as you wait some more.

Ok well, feel free to limit your sarcasm and made up numbers to other people's posts then. My original post was quite clear: I've seen things literally fall through the cracks before while working in government. It can get buried under papers on someone's desk, lost in a digital queue, etc. When this happens getting a reminder or "ping" about it can make sure some attention is brought to the item at hand, so that at least it's gotten back on track. I also made clear that my desire about the timelines was so that I could more effectively follow-up. So with all due respect, your condescending post provides absolutely zero value to anyone.

[Darnell 8,479]

well, since it's past 6 months, you might want to call nowish, get an ISO, and ask if the casefile has been assigned to an adjudicator or not.

[Andreea&Kevin 38]

If you go based upon Igors List then it seems you should be processed in the next couple of weeks, I wouldn't get anxious yet.

I agree with this. VSC has been processing at a fast rate for the past few months and just gotten to cases around yours. I'd certainly call in a couple weeks if you don't hear anything. Of course it's fine to call now too if you feel like you need to.

[baron555 934]

Ok well, feel free to limit your sarcasm and made up numbers to other people's posts then. My original post was quite clear: I've seen things literally fall through the cracks before while working in government. It can get buried under papers on someone's desk, lost in a digital queue, etc. When this happens getting a reminder or "ping" about it can make sure some attention is brought to the item at hand, so that at least it's gotten back on track. I also made clear that my desire about the timelines was so that I could more effectively follow-up. So with all due respect, your condescending post provides absolutely zero value to anyone.

You are obviously new to all this. Chill out and keep waiting. There is no way you can "ping" them. Do you really want to know where your case files are? They are in a box, stacked up along with other boxes, boxes and boxes of case documents. They do them one box at a time. It takes on average aboutt 5-6 months.....but you didn't count the holidays did you? They were on holiday then and no one worked on any boxes. You can call and they WILL tell you to call later, in 30-45 days. They really do not know exactly where your case is at, except how it was logged in and how they mark those boxes.

VSC is presently working, on average, NOA1 dates around July 29, Your NOA1 date is in August, so on average, they are not expected to get to your until a couple more weeks.

You really have to learn to be patient since this is only the beginning, you have similar waiting for AOS and then ROC and then of rGC renewal and maybe Naturalization.

Chill out and relax, your documents are just fine and should be worked on soon.....more or less.

Edited February 4, 2013 by baron555

[Alfia & John 10]

You really have to learn to be patient since this is only the beginning, you have similar waiting for AOS and then ROC and then of rGC renewal and maybe Naturalization.

Chill out and relax, your documents are just fine and should be worked on soon.....more or less.

Phil, you're correct but try to remember when you were going through the NOA1/NOA2 wait, you were also a bit nervous about the timelines, also. Of course, now it is a bit easier when your sweetie is here with you as you wade through the paperwork.