Recently, individuals preparing to apply for green cards, work visas, political asylum, or U.S. citizenship may want to check the latest case processing times published by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before deciding on their application timeline. Having knowledge of the waiting times before applying can help in better planning the immigration process and setting realistic expectations for the overall immigration journey.
USCIS’s official website provides a “Case Processing Times” tool where applicants can search for the current average processing time based on the application form, form category, and the service center or field office where the case is being processed. This helps individuals to stay informed of the average waiting times for various types of cases.
According to USCIS, the published processing times on the website are based on statistics from approximately 80% of completed cases in the past 6 months and are typically updated monthly. Therefore, these data reflect the recent average processing times for cases, rather than guaranteeing specific timelines for individual cases.
As reported by the Muddy River News on July 15th, USCIS official data analysis revealed significant differences in waiting times for various types of immigration applications. For instance, processing times vary greatly across different application categories, with some categories like work permits (I-765) taking as quickly as around a month to complete, while others like removal of conditional green card restrictions (I-751) may require over two and a half years.
For example, the current processing time for family immigration (I-130) ranges from 19 to 139 months, employment-based immigration (I-140) ranges from 2.5 to 26.5 months, and adjustment of status (I-485) currently requires 8 to 35 months. The processing times for each type of case also vary based on the application category and processing location.
In addition to understanding waiting times, applicants can use this information to evaluate their overall application strategy. For some application categories such as the I-129 non-immigrant work visa and certain I-140 employment-based immigration applications, eligible individuals can opt for the paid “Premium Processing” service, which requires USCIS to make a decision within a designated timeframe.
However, common applications like I-485 adjustment of status, I-130 family immigration, I-589 political asylum, N-400 naturalization application, and PERM labor certification are currently not eligible for expedited processing services.
If a case surpasses the normal processing time as published by USCIS after submission, applicants can submit a service request through the USCIS online system to inquire about the case status. If the case remains unprocessed for an extended period, applicants can seek assistance from the USCIS Ombudsman or their congressional representative’s office.
Senior immigration lawyer Zhou Mei suggested that if a case has been excessively delayed and all other avenues have been exhausted, applicants may resort to filing a “Writ of Mandamus” in federal court demanding USCIS to make a decision promptly. However, she noted that this does not guarantee approval.
Zhou Mei emphasized the effectiveness of using “Writ of Mandamus” throughout the immigration application process, especially in asylum cases. She pointed out that federal courts may handle these types of cases differently, and it is essential to consult with a lawyer familiar with the local federal court system to make the appropriate decision on when to pursue mandamus relief.
Immigration attorneys generally advise applicants to not only monitor the officially published processing times but also ensure that all documentation is complete and accurate before submitting an application to minimize the risk of receiving Requests for Evidence (RFE) and prolonging the processing time.
Since USCIS regularly updates case processing times, applicants should continuously monitor the latest official information and use USCIS’s website data as a reference for planning their immigration schedules.
Applicants can utilize the USCIS website’s “Case Processing Times” tool to check the latest processing progress by following these steps:
1. Visit the USCIS “Case Processing Times” inquiry page.
2. Select the application form (e.g., I-129, I-130, I-140, I-485, I-589, I-765, N-400, etc.).
3. Choose the case category and the service center or field office where the case is being processed.
4. Review the currently published average processing time and the “Receipt date for a case inquiry.”
5. If the case receipt date is earlier than the system’s published inquiry date, applicants can generally submit a service request to inquire about the case progress according to the instructions provided by USCIS.
Currently, the USCIS Case Processing Times tool covers various applications such as family immigration, employment-based immigration, work visas, political asylum, work permits, travel documents, green cards, and naturalization, serving as an important official reference tool for applicants to plan their immigration timelines and stay informed about their case progress.