Is there any improvement in Uscis processing times?
Asked by: Miss Zola Hegmann IV | Last update: November 19, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (14 votes)
Has USCIS processing time improved?
Promoted Efficiency in USCIS Adjudications
We have reduced many processing times across the board. Our median processing time for employment authorization documents was nearly cut in half, dropping from 2.1 months in FY 2023 to just 1.1 months in FY 2024.
Is USCIS getting faster in 2024?
After USCIS made significant progress in reducing wait times for many U.S. immigration applications in 2024, data for the current fiscal year (which begins in October for the U.S. Federal Government) shows that processing times are increasing except for the fiancé visa petition.
How do I speed up USCIS processing time?
If you have a USCIS online account and have access to secure messaging, you may select “expedite” as the reason for your inquiry and submit your request there. You generally need to justify your expedite request with evidence. When communicating with the Contact Center, you will be asked about supporting documentation.
Are processing times on USCIS accurate?
The USCIS processing times listed on their website are estimates and can vary widely. Which means they are not accurate. Delays are common, and the actual processing time for applications can be significantly longer due to various factors, including backlogs and resource limitations.
I130 Processing Times jan 2025 : Updates for Spouse, Parent, Children & Sibling | USCIS
How long does I-130 take to get approved in 2024?
Approximately 10 to 14 Months After Filing
Most Form I-130 petitions for immediate relatives are approved within a 10 to 14 month time frame, but they can take longer in some cases. If you are in the United States and also filed an application to adjust status, USCIS will begin reviewing Form I-485 at this point.
How many cases does USCIS process per day?
On an average day in FY 2023 we:
Process 3,800 applications to sponsor relatives and future spouses.
What happens if USCIS case is taking too long?
If your case is outside normal processing times (beyond the time to complete 93% of adjudicated cases or beyond 130% of the cycle time), you will be provided a link for submitting an inquiry. If your case is within normal processing times, you will be provided an estimated date for when you can contact us.
Can I pay USCIS to expedite my case?
Eligibility for a USCIS Expedite Request
While expedited requests are generally not associated with any fees, the agency will assess whether the request meets the criteria, such as: Humanitarian reasons. This can include medical emergencies, financial hardship, or situations that affect human welfare.
Can you sue USCIS for slow processing?
Who is eligible to sue the USCIS? Virtually anyone who has an immigration application pending and has been waiting for an unreasonable amount of time for an answer is eligible to sue the USCIS.
Why is USCIS moving so slow?
The next biggest reason why USCIS is moving so slowly is because they are still understaffed. The agency had a hiring freeze between 2020 and 2021, resulting in 1 in 5 job positions going empty. Afterwards, USCIS did hire more people, but even today, USCIS only has 21,000 actual employees.
Which service center is fastest?
One of the fastest is the Nebraska Service Center (LIN or NSC), which has an average processing time of six months. However, there's no guarantee that going through this center will speed up the application process.
Why is my I-130 taking so long to be approved?
Many factors may affect how long it takes USCIS to complete an application, petition or request, such as the number of applications, petitions, or requests we receive, workload and staffing allocations, the time a benefit requestor takes responding to a request for more information, as well as policy and operational ...
Is USCIS working faster in 2024?
The USCIS processing times for 2024 show remarkable improvements, with many applications moving faster than in recent years. For example, the I-129F form for K-1 fiancé visas now takes 9 months, and the N-400 form for citizenship is processed in 5 months, the quickest since 2019.
How does USCIS decide which service center?
Are you able to choose the USCIS Service Center where your case will be processed? The short answer is no. The USCIS Service Centers are determined by immigration based on the case type, the immigration category, and where the individual lives.
Which USCIS field office is the fastest?
Large offices (although not as large as NY, LA) such as San Jose, Seattle, and Cleveland are the top fastest (2.5 months).
What are urgent humanitarian reasons for USCIS?
An applicant may demonstrate urgency by establishing a reason to be in the United States that calls for immediate or other time-sensitive action, including (but not limited to) critical medical treatment, or the need to visit, assist or support a family member who is at an end-of-life stage of an illness or disease.
What is premium processing USCIS?
Premium processing provides expedited processing for the following forms: Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker; Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; and. Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
How do I talk to my USCIS agent?
Our toll-free number is 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833, VRS 877-709-5797) and we answer live calls and chats Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Eastern.
Is USCIS processing time getting better?
Form N-400 Historical Processing Times
However, over the past couple of years, USCIS has made modest strides to improve their processing times on certain forms. For example, the time to adjudicate Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, has recently improved by several months.
Can I call USCIS to ask about my case?
If you have a previously filed, pending, or approved VAWA, T, or U-related case, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY: 800-767-1833) to request information about your case or certain services, such as an address change.
Why is USCIS still reviewing my case?
When USCIS is actively reviewing a case, it means that they are conducting a thorough examination of all the relevant information and evidence provided in the application. This process can take time, as USCIS officials must carefully assess eligibility criteria and determine if all required documentation is in order.
What is a priority date for USCIS?
Your priority date is generally the date when your relative or employer properly filed the immigrant visa petition on your behalf with USCIS.
How can I get I-130 approved fast?
How to Get Your Case Expedited. Submit Form I-907 with your initial application or after filing. Make sure to provide a good reason why USCIS should prioritize your case and get your i-130 expedite approved. Examples include severe financial loss, urgent humanitarian reasons, or other urgent circumstances.
What is the approval rate for USCIS?
The approval rate remained stable at 90 percent or above throughout FY 2018 - FY 2023 (see Table 5). From FY 2021 to FY 2022, total approvals of STEM-related O-1A Form I-129 petitions increased 29 percent, from 3,550 to 4,570.