USCIS Processing Times
California Service Center has jurisdiction over the following states: Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii and Nevada.
Nebraska Service Center has jurisdiction over the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Texas Service Center has jurisdiction over the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Vermont Service Center has jurisdiction over the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC., and West Virginia.
Vermont Service Center also has jurisdiction over the following CIS offices: Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Toronto, Montreal, Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.
| California Service Center - CSC | Nebraska Service Center - NSC | Texas Service Center - TSC | Vermont Service Center - VSC | National Benefits Center - NBC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Status Applications | |||||
| E1 Visa / E2 Visa | 10 months | ||||
| E3 Visa | 4 months | ||||
| F1 Visa | 13.5 months | 19.5 months | 18.5 months | 11.5 months | |
| H1B Visa | 2.5 months | 2.5 months | 2 months | 2.5 months | |
| H2B Visa | 1 month | 2.5 months | |||
| H3 Visa | 2.5 months | 3 months | |||
| H4 Visa | 5 months | 5.5 months | 4.5 months | 4 months | |
| J1 Visa | 13.5 months | 19.5 months | 18.5 months | 11.5 months | |
| K1 Visa / K3 Visa | 15.5 months | 4 months | 15.5 months | 8 months | |
| L1 Visa | 2.5 months | 4.5 months | |||
| O1 Visa | 1 month | 2.5 months | |||
| P1 Visa | 1 month | 2.5 months | |||
| R1 Visa | 2 months | ||||
| TN Visa | 3 months | ||||
| Green Card Petitions | |||||
| EB1 Extraordinary Ability | 20 months | 22 months | |||
| EB1 Outstanding Researcher | 13.5 months | 11 months | |||
| EB1 Manager / Executive | 12 months | 13 months | |||
| National Interest Waiver | 15.5 months | 16.5 months | |||
| EB2 Green Card | 9.5 months | 9.5 months | |||
| EB3 Green Card | 15.5 months | 21 months | |||
| Family Based | 10.5 months | 10.5 months | 11.5 months | 16 months | |
| Marriage Green Card | 10.5 months | 10.5 months | 11.5 months | 16 months | |
| Other | |||||
| Advance Parole | 14 months | 13.5 months | 16.5 months | 7 months | 11.5 months |
| Re-entry Permit | 16 months | ||||
| EAD | 12 months | 8 months | 10 months | 11 months | 7.5 months |
| J1 Waiver | 10.5 months | ||||
| I-601 Waiver | 27.5 months | ||||
| I-212 Waiver | 26 months |
*** HOW TO HANDLE THE CURRENT EXTREMELY LONG PROCESSING TIMES ***
There are three primary ways to get your case processed faster than posted processing times.
- Premium processing. Most I-140 and I-129 petitions are eligible for premium processing. USCIS guarantees a response in 15 days for premium processing cases. The drawback is the significant additional expenses and a higher likelihood of receiving an RFE or denial;
- Mandamus filing in federal court. If USCIS has delayed your case beyond posted processing times, you may be able to file suit against them and get a federal judge to order them to make a decision on your case. The drawback is that the judge can’t force them to approve it – just force them to make a decision and the decision can sometimes be very negative after taking this option; and
- Expedite request. If waiting an extended amount of time would cause hardships to you, your family, or your employer and premium processing is not available, USCIS can agree to expedite your application. This can be a very good option for applications for work permits or travel documents.
The Visa Bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant visas.
Visa appointment and processing wait times at US Embassies abroad can be found here.
