What Are USCIS Processing Times?
USCIS processing times in 2025 vary by form type, application category, and the office handling your case. Whether you’re applying for a green card, U.S. citizenship, or a work permit, understanding current timelines helps you plan better and avoid unnecessary delays. This guide explains how to check your USCIS case status, what affects wait times, and tips to keep your application on track.
Current 2025 Processing Times at a Glance (Median Time)
For a quick overview, the table below shows median processing times for key USCIS immigration forms as of 2025. These figures reflect the typical time it took USCIS to process 50% of applications within a specific category.
For detailed processing time breakdowns, visit our specific guides:
| Form | Purpose | Current Processing Time |
| Form N-400 | Application for Naturalization | 5.5 Months |
| Form I-90 | Green Card Renewal/Replacement | 4.3 Months |
| I-485 (Family-based) | Green Card via Adjustment of Status | 9.2 Months |
| I-485 (Employment-based) | Green Card via Employment | 6.9 Months |
| I-130 (U.S. citizen sponsor) | Petition for Alien Relative | 14.8 Months |
| I-130 (Green card holder sponsor) | Petition for Alien Relative | 35 Months |
| I-129F | Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | 8-11 Months |
| I-129 (Regular processing) | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker | 3.7 Months |
| I-129 (Premium processing) | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker | 12 Days |
| I-140 (Regular processing) | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | 7.7 Months |
| I-140 (Premium processing) | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | 21 Days |
| I-751 | Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence | 21.6 Months |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization | 1.9 Months |
| I-131 | Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole) | 6.1 Months |
| ETA-9089 | PERM Labor Certification (DOL) | 500 (Analyst Review) |
Understanding how long each form takes can help you plan your next steps confidently. At ImmigrationDirect, we make it easy to stay informed, prepare your application correctly, and move forward without delays. Get started with your preferred USCIS forms.
USCIS Backlog Reduction: What Cycle Times Mean for You
To speed up case decisions and reduce backlogs, USCIS introduced internal cycle time goals in 2022. While public processing times show how long it took to complete 80% of cases, cycle times track how many months’ worth of cases are still waiting behind the scenes.
As USCIS improves staffing, technology, and capacity, these cycle times are expected to shrink—leading to faster processing times for green cards, citizenship, work permits, and more.
| Forms | Duration |
|---|---|
| I-129 Premium, I-140 Premium | 2 Weeks |
| I-129 Non-Premium | 2 Months |
| I-765, I-131 Advance Parole, I-539, I-824 | 3 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 | 6 Months |
What Affects USCIS Processing Times?
Several key factors influence how long your case may take:
- Form type: I-485, N-400, I-130, I-129F, etc., each has different processing standards.
- Service center or field office: Some locations handle higher volumes than others.
- Case category: Employment-based, family-based, or humanitarian applications have different timelines.
- Premium processing: Available for certain I-129 and I-140 forms, it guarantees faster decisions—usually within 15 days.
- Backlogs and staffing: Case surges, policy changes, or budget shifts can cause delays.
- Accuracy of your filing: Mistakes or missing documents often lead to Requests for Evidence (RFEs), adding weeks or months.
USCIS updates its official Case Processing Times tool weekly to help applicants track current timelines by form, category, and location. As well Department of Labor’s website for PERM processing times.
Other Processing Time Scenarios
AAO Processing Times: Appeals After Denial
If your immigration application is denied, you may be able to file an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO)—a specialized branch of USCIS that reviews certain denied cases.
Here’s how the AAO appeal process works:
- Initial Review (Field Office):
The office that denied your application has 45 days to re-examine the case and possibly reverse its decision. - AAO Appellate Review:
If the denial stands, the appeal is forwarded to AAO, which typically issues a decision within 180 days. Complex appeals may take longer.
Not all applications are eligible for appeal to the AAO. Check your denial notice for instructions.
Tip: If your case is denied, consult with an immigration attorney before filing an appeal to ensure it’s the best course of action.
