The Latest USCIS Processing Times – FY 2025
UNDERSTANDING USCIS WAIT TIMES AND CASE STATUS FOR GREEN CARDS, CITIZENSHIP, K-1 VISAS, AND EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRATION
USCIS Processing Times are Slowing in 2025
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.
However, processing times for most common applications are still being processed relatively quickly, and at pre-pandemic levels, they are often faster.
- The processing time for Form I-129F (fiancé petition) has increased in 2025.
- The wait time for Form N-400 (citizenship) has been the fastest since 2016.
- The processing time for employment authorization via adjustment of status has been the lowest since 2017.
Current USCIS Processing Times at a Glance
For a quick reference, here’s a summary of current processing times for key immigration forms as of March 2025. The number of days/months shown is the median. It represents the time it took USCIS to process half of the applications in a given time period.
| Form | Purpose | Current Processing Time |
| I-90 | Green Card Replacement/Renewal | 0.7 months |
| I-130 (U.S. citizen sponsor) | Petition for Alien Relative | 14.4 months |
| I-130 (Green card holder sponsor) | Petition for Alien Relative | 35 months |
| I-485 (Family-based) | Adjustment of Status | 9.3 months |
| I-485 (Employment-based) | Adjustment of Status | 6.9 months |
| I-129F | Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | 6-8 months |
| I-129 (Regular processing) | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker | 3.5 months |
| I-129 (Premium processing) | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker | 12 days |
| I-140 (Regular processing) | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | 7.6 months |
| I-140 (Premium processing) | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | 21 days |
| N-400 | Application for Naturalization | 5.5 months |
| I-751 | Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence | 21.8 |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization | 1.9 months |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole) | 6.7 months |
| ETA-9089 | PERM Labor Certification (DOL) | 388 calendar days (Analyst Review) or 493 (Audit Review) |
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Understanding USCIS and DOL processing times
The time it takes to process your immigration forms (citizenship, family, or employment-based visas) depends on a few things:
- The type of application: Regardless of visa category, different applications have different processing times, including:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
- Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e))
- Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
- Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker)
- Form ETA-9089 (PERM Labor Certification) – filed with the Department of Labor, not USCIS
- The agency involved: While U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes most forms, the PERM Labor Certification (Form ETA-9089) is processed by the Department of Labor (DOL), which has its processing timelines.
- The location: The USCIS office or service center handling your application can affect processing times.
- The specific category: Processing times for employment-based visas can vary based on the preference category (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, etc.) for immigrant visas or the specific nonimmigrant classification (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.) for Form I-129 petitions.
- Premium processing: Some employment-based petitions, including certain I-140 and I-129 categories, are eligible for premium processing, which can significantly reduce wait times. Note that PERM Labor Certifications are not eligible for premium processing.
USCIS and the Department of Labor regularly update processing times for many types of applications. This helps you understand how long you might have to wait.
Processing times can vary widely depending on the specific USCIS office or service center. Offices in less populated areas may be faster than those in big cities. Certain service centers may specialize in specific visa categories for employment-based petitions, affecting processing times.
You can check the USCIS website for the latest processing times for your specific application and location. You’ll need to check the Department of Labor’s website for PERM processing times.
Checking your processing time and case status
Checking your case status tells you the current stage of your application (e.g., “received,” “pending review”), while checking processing times gives you an estimated timeframe of how long similar cases typically take at your specific USCIS office. Both are important for managing your expectations and planning for the future. By knowing your case status, you can ensure your application is progressing as expected, and by knowing the processing time, you can get a better idea of when to expect a decision.
How to check your processing time
- Locate Your USCIS Field Office: To find the office that is processing your case, use your zip code on the USCIS website. Some forms are handled by a field office, while others (especially employment-based petitions like I-140 and I-129) are handled by a service center.
- Find Processing Times: Once you know the office that is handling your case, use the USCIS Case Processing Time tool. Select your application type and the office’s location to see the time range it takes to process your type of case at that office.
- Understand the Time Range: The time range shows two numbers.
- The first number is the time it takes to complete 50% of cases (the median processing time).
- The second number is the time it takes to complete 93% of cases. Most cases will be processed within this range. Keep in mind that these numbers are updated weekly.
- Check for Premium Processing: For eligible employment-based petitions (including some I-140 and I-129 categories), check if premium processing is available, which guarantees processing within 15 calendar days for most cases.
- PERM Processing Times: For PERM Labor Certifications, check the Department of Labor’s website for current processing times, as these are handled separately from USCIS applications.
How to check your case status
- Find your receipt number
- Enter your receipt number on the Case Status Online page
- Complete the captcha
- Click “Check Status”
Family-Based Green Cards
The I-130 petition is the first step for family-based immigration. Processing times can vary based on the specific family relationship:
- Immediate Relatives (IR): This category includes spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens.
- CR1: This is for spouses of U.S. citizens who have been married for less than 2 years at the time of admission to the U.S.
- F2A: This category is for spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of permanent residents.
- Adoptions: These cases typically take longer due to their complexity and additional required documentation.
| Form | Category | Processing Time (FY 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 | CR1 / IR1 (Conditional Resident – spouse of U.S. citizen) | 14.3 months if applying from outside the U.S.; 9.3 months if applying from within the U.S. (filed together with Form I-485). |
| I-130 | F2A (Spouse or child of permanent resident) | 35 months |
| I-485 | Family-based Adjustment of Status | 9.3 months |
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Employment-Based Immigration
Employment-based immigration often involves multiple steps. The I-140 is for permanent positions, while the I-129 is for temporary workers. Premium processing, available for an additional fee, significantly reduces wait times for eligible categories.
| Form | Category | Regular Processing | Premium Processing |
| I-140 | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | 7.6 months | 21 days |
| I-485 | Employment-based Adjustment of Status | 6.9 months | N/A |
| I-129 | Nonimmigrant Worker Petition | 3.5 months | 12 days |
PERM Labor Certification
PERM is often the first step for employment-based green cards. Processing times vary and are handled by the Department of Labor, not USCIS. Audit reviews typically take longer than analyst reviews.
| Process Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | 388 calendar days |
| Audit Review | 493 |
K-1 Fiancé Visas
This processing time is just for USCIS approval. Additional time is needed for consular processing, which is required for K-1 visas.
| Form | Purpose | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| I-129F | Petition for Alien Fiancé | 6-8 months |
Naturalization (U.S. Citizenship)
The current processing time represents a significant improvement from previous years, potentially benefiting hundreds of thousands of aspiring citizens.
| Form | Purpose | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| N-400 | Application for Naturalization | 5.5 months |
Other Common Forms
These forms are often filed alongside other applications or as stand-alone requests.
| Form | Purpose | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| I-90 | Replace/Renew Green Card | 0.7 months |
| I-765 | Employment Authorization | 1.9 months |
| I-131 (Advance Parole) | Travel Document | 6.7 months |
| I-131 (Travel Document) | Travel Document | 6.7 months |
What are AAO Processing Times?
AAO stands for “Administrative Appeals Office,” a branch of USCIS. AAO processing times are the amount of time it takes the Administrative Appeals Office to review an appeal of a denied application or petition and make a final decision. The AAO processing time has two stages:
1. An initial field interview: The field office that first denied the case has 45 days to review the appeal and decide whether to change its decision. If not, the case is sent to AAO.
2. AAO Appellate Review: The AAO will complete its review within approximately 180 days of receiving the case file. Depending on the complexity of the case, this could take more or less time.
Processing time backlogs
In February 2024, USCIS announced it had reduced its case backlog for the first time in over a decade. The overall backlog decreased by 15%, processing nearly 11 million case filings and completing 10 million cases.
In 2022, the agency established new internal cycle time goals to reduce the backlog. Here’s a breakdown of the targeted processing times:
| Cycle Time Goal | Forms |
|---|---|
| 2 Weeks | I-129 Premium, I-140 Premium |
| 2 Months | I-129 Non-Premium |
| 3 Months | I-765, I-131 Advance Parole, I-539, I-824 |
| 6 Months | N-400, N-600, N-600K, I-485, I-140 Non-Premium, I-130 Immediate Relative, I-129F Fiancé(e), I-290B, I-360, I-102, I-526, I-600, I-600A, I-730, I-800, I-800A, I-90, I-821D Renewals |
Is Your Visa Taking Too Long? Here’s How to Check and Follow Up
It’s normal to experience wait times when applying for a visa, but how do you know if it’s taking longer than usual? Here’s what to do:
- Check Normal Processing Times: The USCIS processing time tool provides estimated processing times for different visa applications. Find your form type and check the “Receipt date for a case inquiry” to see if your application falls outside the normal window.
- Track Your Case Online: USCIS lets you track your application status online for updates. The process is slightly different depending on whether you applied inside or outside the US.
- When to Inquire: If your application date is before the “Receipt date for case inquiry” and you haven’t heard back, you can file a Case Inquiry with USCIS using their e-form. This will prompt them to investigate any potential delays.
Important Note: Don’t contact USCIS if your application is still within the normal processing times. You’ll likely receive a generic response.