Updates on USCIS Processing Times (2024)

FAQs

Is USCIS improving processing times? ›

In 2022, we began to see some progress with processing times for the I-360 petitions that were filed and pending adjudication for several months. In the first few months of 2023, we have continued to see improvements in processing times for many petitions and applications.

USCIS processing times are quite accurate but are subject to change without prior notice. For example, the USCIS processing times I-130 may be influenced by an error on the petitioner's side or even the USCIS themselves.

We make every effort to update the processing times every month. For most forms, the processing times displayed are based on data that are one month old. For forms that still use the cycle time methodology, the processing times displayed are based on data captured approximately two months prior to updating the page.

How Accurate is the USCIS Processing Times? The processing times on the USCIS website are updated with 1-month-old or 2 months old data, depending on the type of application. Considering this, you can be certain that the data is relatively accurate for most applications.

If you are a U.S. Citizen filing Form I-130 for a spouse, it is taking about 15 to 18 months on average for USCIS to process these petitions as of May of 2023.

The top 3 government offices handling citizenship applications most efficiently are in Cleveland, Ohio; Providence, Rhode Island; and Raleigh, North Carolina. The worst 3 government offices handling citizenship applications least efficiently are in St. Paul, Minnesota; Miami, Florida; and Houston, Texas.

The USCIS has also improved its processing time for work permits in 2023 to 3.6 months, up from 4.1 months in 2022. Green card petitions under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 are being processed much faster in 2023 (3.4 months compared to the 5.4 months processing time for 2022).

USCIS may expedite processing on your case if you can prove that a person or company will suffer severe financial loss if USCIS does not give you a decision on your case sooner rather than later.

On an average day we:

Adjudicate more than 32,500 requests for various immigration benefits. Process 3,700 applications to sponsor relatives and future spouses. Analyze nearly 550 tips, leads, cases and detections for potential fraud, public safety and national security concerns.

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.

What after case is being actively reviewed by USCIS? ›

According to Lawfully's data analysis of USCIS case status message updates, among the people who received the status message "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS," the most probable next update message is "Case Approved," (at 75%) after an average of 21 days.

Are weekends included in processing times? Currently, yes. For example, USCIS will review an H-1B in 15 calendar days if filed with premium processing.

Be aware that USCIS updates its average processing times once a month.

With your receipt number, you can check the status of your case on www. uscis.gov and also register on our Web site for automatic case status updates while we process your case.

Online: Use the case status online tool to check for updates about your immigration case. You will need your 13-character receipt number from your application or petition. By phone: If you are calling from the U.S., contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 or TTY 1-800-767-1833.

Sometimes, USCIS might be able to approve your I-130 without the need for an interview. If you are a U.S. citizen and you are filing for your parents, or unmarried children under the age of 21 who are in the United States and have filed Form I-485, then you might not need an interview.

For a spouse of a U.S. lawful permanent resident, the processing time of Form I-130 takes between 14 and 37 months.

It takes approximately 120 days for USCIS to actively review a case. The agency may require additional time to complete its review if any documents are missing.

The most efficient U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office is also stated to be in Cleveland. The USCIS office efficiency is reflected in the highest backlog completion of 71.3%, and the nation's shortest average processing time, which is only four months.

What U.S. state has the highest immigration rate? ›

One major reason for the slower review times is that immigration forms have significantly increased in length over the last two decades, from fewer than 200 pages total in 2003 to more than 700 pages total in 2023. Overall, 93% of USCIS forms have grown in length since their introduction.

1. Marriage to U.S. Citizen. This is the fastest way to immigrate. Typically, the process lasts from six to nine months, after which a temporary Green Card is received.

Ensure that immigration policies, regulations, strategies, processes, and communications support a strong legal immigration system with integrity and promote integration, inclusion, and citizenship. benefits are approved. than 150,000 inquiries and service requests via online accounts and digital self-help tools.

Wait Times for Green Cards

The current wait time for Form I-130 is 12.4 months. Family-based green card applications (in other words, immediate relatives or spouses of a U.S. citizen) for applicants filing from within the United States average 11.7 months.

It takes 7 to 33 months to process a Green Card application.

Family Preference Green Cards processing takes from 1 to 10 years depending on the wait time and yearly caps. Employment Based Green Cards processing could be from 1 year for visas that have a low demand to 4 or 6 years for visas with very high demand.

Within 3 business days of starting work for pay, you must present to your employer documentation that establishes your identity and employment authorization. For example, if you begin employment on Monday, you must present documentation on or before Thursday of that week.

The Three-For-One Rule

When making a determination whether a foreign national possesses the required academic credentials necessary for an H-1B occupation, the USCIS will consider three years of specialized training and/or work experience to be the equivalent of one year of college education.

You may sue the USCIS if it is taking longer than usual to process or decide your case. For more information on eligibility, process and necessary documentation for these types of cases, visit our page on Lawsuits against the U.S. Immigration Service (USCIS).

Can a lawyer speed up the immigration process? ›

Immigration attorneys can help speed up your immigration case in a few different ways. The most obvious is by using their knowledge and experience to make the process go more smoothly and easily. Help you consider your options.

According to the lawmakers, the most recent USCIS data showed a backlog of 8.6 million applications and petitions in September 2022, and 50 percent growth in wait times between fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2021.

What Does the Processing Time Mean and How Is It Calculated? The processing time displayed on the USCIS website is the amount of time it took us to complete 80% of adjudicated cases over the last six months.

During the review, the team will go over your paperwork to get an initial impression of your case. They also evaluate the evidence and any supporting documents you included to determine if they will need to request more information.

The action on your case can be anything like Approval, RFE, Denial, Biometric appointment issued, etc. It is not possible to guess the case status until you actually receive a notice by USPS mail or the status is reflected in your USCIS online account.

If the USCIS does not issue a notice or request within 15 calendar days, the $1,410 premium processing fee will be refunded and the USCIS will continue processing the petition or application. The USCIS 15‐calendar‐day response time begins on the date that the USCIS premium processing mailroom receives the case.

USCIS does not accept paper-based applications or petitions on Saturdays, Sundays, or federal holidays.

Our toll free number is 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) and our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Eastern. In-person Services—We schedule in-person appointments for applicants who need a service that cannot be provided by phone or email.

The online case status update page is often behind schedule or could reflect outdated or incorrect information. You can write to the USCIS Investor Program Office (IPO) via email (uscis.immigrantinvestorprogram@uscis.dhs.gov) to request a status update and confirm that your RFE was received.

Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283.

What is IOE processing center? ›

IOE is not really a Service Center as well. IOE is used for cases that were filed electronically. It is part of USCIS effort to modernize USCIS processing system from paper-based. You will see this for case numbers that are usually filed electronically using ELIS e-filing system.

Usually, USCIS receipt notice can take anywhere from 15 to 30 days. Sometimes, if there are delays at the Service center, there are cases, where it can take a few months. In such cases, you should reach out to USCIS to get to know more. Is USCIS Receipt Number the same as the Alien Registration Number or A-Number?

AAO appellate review: The AAO strives to complete its appellate review within 180 days from the time it receives a complete case record after the initial field review. Some cases may take longer than 180 days due to factors beyond the AAO's control.

USCIS applications are processed in the order they are received. On average, USCIS takes approximately 8 to 9 weeks to issue receipt notices for some applications and petitions.

The first three characters of the receipt number represent the USCIS service center that is processing your case. The three letters at the beginning of your receipt number are codes for the different service centers.

When immigrating to the US, there are four different types of immigration status categories that individuals may fall into: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.

Those IOE forms mean that your case is being processed digitally, which is usually good news because those cases tend to flow through the system a bit faster.

The combination of more people applying and slower processing due to added requirements created the perfect storm, causing the USCIS backlog to nearly double.

The US Department of Labor (DOL) has released its monthly processing time updates for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications. What are the Changes? PERM processing times were seven days longer in March 2023 compared to the previous month.

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.

What to do if immigration is taking too long? ›

So far this fiscal year (through May 2023), immigration judges have issued removal and voluntary departure orders in 39.7% of completed cases, totaling 158,463 deportation orders. Immigration Court judges in New Mexico issued deportation orders in the highest proportion of cases in May 2023.

- The current average processing time for legal permanent residents filing Form I-130 for a spouse beneficiary is 28 months. - The current average processing time for Form I-485 across 89 field offices is 21.9 months.

How to speed up the Processing time of PERM? There is only one way that you can speed up your PERM application, and that is the correct filing of the petition, so you don't get notice of audit. In the entire PERM process, premium processing is only allowed for Form I-140.

A. DOS currently estimates that the FY 2023 employment-based annual limit will be approximately 197,000, due to approximately 57,000 unused family-sponsored visa numbers from FY 2022 being added to the employment-based limit for FY 2023.

The breakdown of the 119,262 DV-2023 selectees by region and by country is as follows: Note: Nationals of countries not mentioned in the below tables were not eligible to enter the DV-2023 Program. CLICK HERE to access the Visa Bulletin for the month of August 2022.

There are 100 civics questions on the naturalization test. During your naturalization interview, you will be asked up to 10 questions from the list of 100 questions.

A temporary one can be issued should you be awaiting your permanent I-551. Remember, you must carry this card at all times with your official passport from your country of citizenship, especially if you hold a temporary version.