USCIS Processing Times Report Card

USCIS processing times are inaccurate, but how can you get the best results?

Table of Contents

The USCIS backlog has grown significantly in the past 10 years, with 5,709,833 cases growing by 191 percent in a decade (2013-2022). This is despite the fact that the number of forms filed annually has grown modestly.
USCIS has a cycle time goal of six months or less for most applications, petitions, and requests, but is far from meeting it. Over the past decade, backlogs and processing times have increased significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. USCIS has also struggled to execute technology plans and staffing levels and has implemented an immigration fee increase to facilitate hiring more staff. The backlog for family-based visa petitions (Form I-130) has more than doubled in 10 years.

USCIS processes forms in a lockbox to verify submissions, scan documents, and process payments.
Service centers are regional offices that process cases to confirm eligibility and analyze benefit requests. They may issue Requests for Evidence and adjudicate requests such as Form I-90, K-1 visa petition, and I-130.
USCIS creates monthly reporting on their processing times based on the performance of individual locations.

USCIS processing time is the time it takes to adjudicate 80 percent of refereed cases over the last six months.

USCIS has guidelines for making case inquiries, so contact before meeting the threshold.
USCIS will only accept inquiries for cases taking longer than 93% of adjudications, which is considered outside normal processing times.
Go to the USCIS webpage to request an update on your case, enter the receipt date from your receipt notice, and check back periodically for changes in processing times.

USCIS online filing can improve processing times but with tradeoffs.
Online filing can help you get in the queue faster than mail, but it does not guarantee that your application or petition will be processed quickly. It is important to prepare the form correctly and submit all supporting documentation, and USCIS takes no measures to protect you from submitting information that may be harmful to your case.