Processing times, explained
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes processing times for each form and office. This page explains how to read them.
Where to find them
USCIS lists processing times by form, category and the office handling the case. Your receipt notice (Form I-797C) names the office, which tells you which line of the table applies to you.
Official USCIS processing times
How to read the figure
The published time describes how long USCIS took to complete most recent cases of that type. It is a guide based on past work, not a promise for any single case.
What can lengthen a case
- A Request for Evidence (RFE), which pauses the case until you respond
- An interview requirement, which depends on the local office schedule
- Background checks that need more time
- A change of address that was not reported to USCIS
When a case seems stuck
If your receipt date is earlier than the date USCIS shows for inquiries, you can submit a case inquiry. Other options include contacting your member of Congress and, in some situations, a federal court action. We can help you decide which step fits.
Tell us where you are. We will show you the way forward.
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