Unlocking the Mystery of USCIS Processing Times.

One of the things that clients, and potential clients, ask me about the most are USCIS processing times.  How long will my case take?  Why is the case pending for so long?  When can we expect a decision?  Processing times are a somewhat confusing topic, because there are a lot of variables, but in this blog I will try to answer some of the basic questions, and clear up some of the mystery around processing times.

How do I find out the current processing time for my case?

USCIS has a website where they regularly update the processing times for each case type.  You can find it here.  If you search by your case type, and where your case is processing (this can be found on your receipt notice), you can find the current processing time.  However it is important to note that this website does not give you an exact processing time for your case.  Rather, it gives you the time in which 80% of cases are completed.  Some cases are completed sooner than the published processing time, and some will take longer.  This website also allows you to check an inquiry date.  This is the date when you can inquire about how long your case is taking.  We also say that this is the date that your case is outside normal processing time.  Don’t be surprised if this inquiry date is much longer than the published processing time.

There is also another USCIS website that is helpful because you can check historic processing times.  You can find it here.  This website not only gives you historical information, but it also gives you the median processing times for the current (or just ended) fiscal year.  If you remember your math, the median is the very middle of a set of numbers.  This is different than the average. Let’s say the median for a given case type is 10 months.  Of course without further data, this is not that helpful, because some cases could be approved very quickly, and others could be taking a lot longer.  Where it is helpful is looking at one year next to the other.  If the median processing time in 2024, for a given case type, is much lower than 2023, it usually is an indication that processing times are improving.  This combined with real world experience (what we are seeing on the ground) gives us an idea if a case will likely be approved quicker than expected. From experience, I can say that most cases processes around the same time, with a few that take longer.

The processing time on my USCIS account changes a lot, why?

I get asked this question a lot, and clients are concerned.  One week it might have the processing time down to a week left, then suddenly it says “your case is taking longer than expected to process.”  This worries people.  I always tell clients that it is better to rely on the official processing time found at the above website.  If your case gets approved quicker all the better, but if it doesn’t that does not mean there is anything wrong.

Can processing times decrease or get longer?

The simple answer is yes.  Processing times are alway subject to change.  Most often they get longer.  This is very frustrating, if you have filed a case and are relying on the published processing time, only to see it get longer and longer.  Occasionally they do get shorter, sometimes drastically so. This usually indicates that USCIS is giving priority to one case type. For example, employment authorizations were taking longer and longer, and then USCIS started approving them much more rapidly.

Conclusion

We all want our case to process as quickly as possible.  Most important to this is filing the case correctly from the start.  This is the most effective way to ensure that your case will process smoothly without delay.  If you do get a Request for Evidence (RFE), it is imperative to respond as soon as possible so your case will not be delayed further.  Make sure to check your case processing time often, as well as check with your attorney if you have any questions.

My name is Matthew Larsen.  I am a South Dakota based U.S. Immigration Attorney.  I have over a decade of full time family based immigration experience.  I represent clients across the country and around the world.