USCIS Processing Times – Processing Times USCIS

USCIS Processing Times

Processing Times for USCIS Applications

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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 - CSCNebraska Service Center - NSCTexas Service Center - TSCVermont Service Center - VSCNational Benefits Center - NBC
Visa Status Applications
E1 Visa / E2 Visa 10 months
E3 Visa4 months
F1 Visa13.5 months19.5 months18.5 months11.5 months
H1B Visa2.5 months2.5 months2 months2.5 months
H2B Visa1 month2.5 months
H3 Visa2.5 months3 months
H4 Visa5 months5.5 months4.5 months4 months
J1 Visa13.5 months19.5 months18.5 months11.5 months
K1 Visa / K3 Visa 15.5 months4 months15.5 months8 months
L1 Visa2.5 months4.5 months
O1 Visa1 month2.5 months
P1 Visa1 month2.5 months
R1 Visa2 months
TN Visa3 months
Green Card Petitions
EB1 Extraordinary Ability20 months22 months
EB1 Outstanding Researcher13.5 months11 months
EB1 Manager / Executive12 months13 months
National Interest Waiver15.5 months16.5 months
EB2 Green Card9.5 months9.5 months
EB3 Green Card15.5 months21 months
Family Based10.5 months10.5 months11.5 months16 months
Marriage Green Card10.5 months10.5 months11.5 months16 months
Other
Advance Parole14 months13.5 months16.5 months7 months11.5 months
Re-entry Permit16 months
EAD12 months8 months10 months11 months7.5 months
J1 Waiver10.5 months
I-601 Waiver27.5 months
I-212 Waiver26 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.

  1. 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;
  2. 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
  3. 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.

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