I've read a lot of posts asking why some people have to wait 3 years to get their green cards, when others who applied later get theirs in one year.
It is clear that at least the NSC processes based on notice dates. They state as such in their latest update. However, remember how these cases are processed.
For example, say you have three case (A,B,C) separated by 6 months. The case worker grabs case A and begins adjudicating. Oh crap! The ability to pay is shaky. The case worker notes that and puts the case to the side, there is nothing more they can do until that RFE gets a reply. The system chuges away and 4 months later the RFE evidence is entered into the system.
In the mean time the case worker has been working on case B. Everything is in order and the name-check/FP is performed. More time has passed, but the RFE reply from case A isn't available yet. Go onto the next case.
The case worker is on case C. This one is also nice and quick and the name-check/FP is performed. The RFE reply for case A arrives one day after the the worker starts case C. Too bad, just because case A is ready to be processed doesn't mean the worker drops case C.
Months pass until case C is completed.
Case A is finally picked up after 8 months and the RFE is approved. Time for a name-check/FP. Case A is unlucky because the name-check take 6 months.
In the mean time the case worker goes on to other cases and approves both case B and C. 1 year later case A gets approved.
Now multiply the above scenario by 100s of cases.
It doesn't suprise me that approvals appear so random. It is the luck of the draw as to whether your case sits idle or not.
I think the quality/complexity of the application is a big factor too. If the case worker starts your case and the approval is obvious (everything is in order), why not just finish it up and send it out ASAP! One more case done. I think this is where those 37 day I-140 approvals come from.
NN
It is clear that at least the NSC processes based on notice dates. They state as such in their latest update. However, remember how these cases are processed.
For example, say you have three case (A,B,C) separated by 6 months. The case worker grabs case A and begins adjudicating. Oh crap! The ability to pay is shaky. The case worker notes that and puts the case to the side, there is nothing more they can do until that RFE gets a reply. The system chuges away and 4 months later the RFE evidence is entered into the system.
In the mean time the case worker has been working on case B. Everything is in order and the name-check/FP is performed. More time has passed, but the RFE reply from case A isn't available yet. Go onto the next case.
The case worker is on case C. This one is also nice and quick and the name-check/FP is performed. The RFE reply for case A arrives one day after the the worker starts case C. Too bad, just because case A is ready to be processed doesn't mean the worker drops case C.
Months pass until case C is completed.
Case A is finally picked up after 8 months and the RFE is approved. Time for a name-check/FP. Case A is unlucky because the name-check take 6 months.
In the mean time the case worker goes on to other cases and approves both case B and C. 1 year later case A gets approved.
Now multiply the above scenario by 100s of cases.
It doesn't suprise me that approvals appear so random. It is the luck of the draw as to whether your case sits idle or not.
I think the quality/complexity of the application is a big factor too. If the case worker starts your case and the approval is obvious (everything is in order), why not just finish it up and send it out ASAP! One more case done. I think this is where those 37 day I-140 approvals come from.
NN