I applied August 25, so 6 weeks exactly, and still waiting for "Pending Review" to move to the next step. I'm from Canada FWIW. Unless I get approval in the next 2 weeks and an almost immediate interview appointment date, then a 2 week wait for the card to arrive, I would say completing the process by November, at least up to mid-month, would be a real stretch now. I personally am not traveling south until January,so I should be good by then.

Can someone who has been through the process confirm that they do send an email when the "Pending Review" process is complete, or is checking the web site the more timely method of tracking progress?

Cheers!