About USCIS Processing Times

Below are links to USCIS processing times at regional service centers and local field offices. These include both current and historical average processing times. In addition, below are links to USCIS case status, address changes and USCIS inquiries.

USCIS generally processes cases in the order received. For each application type, USCIS has specific workload processing goals. For example, their goal may be to process naturalization cases within 5 months of receipt date, or immediate relative petitions within 6 months of receipt date. Case volume, priorities, political environment, internal agency issues and other factors may affect processing. These issues may make case timelines very unpredictable. So, note that processing speed may change dramatically at any time.

These links may give you some idea of how long processing may take. To read the charts, you may need the following information:

• Office where your case has been or will be filed (if your case has been transferred, you may need to know the new processing place);
• Application or petition type; and,
• Filing date if already submitted.

If you do not know this information, look at your Form I-797 Notice of Receipt.

Instructions accompany each type of immigration application or petition form. These indicate place of filing, such as a regional service center. USCIS Regional Service Centers include: California Service Center (CSC); National Benefits Center (NBC); Nebraska Service Center (NSC); Potomoc Service Center (YSC); Texas Service Center (TSC); and Vermont Service Center (VSC); Immigrant Investor Program Office (IPO).

• USCIS processing times.
• USCIS historical average processing times.
• Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) processing times.

Case Status

You can obtain case status on the USCIS case status page. There you can confirm USCIS receipt of petition, if it’s still being reviewed, whether USCIS has sent a Request for Further Evidence (RFE). Of course this page also will tell you if USCIS has approved (or denied) your case.

To obtain case status, you need the Receipt Number (a 13-digit number) in the box on the upper left-hand corner of your USCIS Form I-797 Receipt. The first three letters of your Receipt Number indicate the USCIS Regional Service Center where your case is being processed, (i.e., EAC-11-111-11111). For example:

• WAC is the California Service Center (CSC).
• NBC or MSC is the National Benefits Center (NBC) (formerly Missouri Service Center).
• LIN is the Nebraska Service Center (NSC).
• SRC is the Texas Service Center (TSC).
• EAC is the Vermont Service Center (VSC).

To check case status at international USCIS offices, click here.

For inquiries about cases outside of normal processing times, click here.

To update your mailing address click here.

To inquire about missing mail, special interview accommodations or USCIS errors, click here.