Key Takeaways:
- USCIS reduced processing times for many forms in fiscal year 2024, including EADs and naturalization applications.
- Investments in staffing, resources, and fee adjustments aim to address ongoing delays and expedite applications.
- Updated tools distinguish between administrative delays and statutory caps affecting specific forms like I-130 petitions.
Significant Progress in USCIS Processing Times: What You Need to Know
How Long are USCIS Processing Times in 2024?
Recent data shows promising improvements in USCIS processing times for various forms. For nearly all high-volume forms, median processing times are significantly lower in fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous fiscal year. Here are some standout figures:
- Employment Authorization Documents (EADs): Less than 30 days for asylum applicants and certain parolees.
- Naturalization: Reduced to 5.2 months, the lowest since 2016.
- EADs for Adjustment Applicants: Now at 3.6 months, the lowest since 2017.
- Advance Parole Documents: Processing time decreased to 4.4 months, the lowest since 2018.
- Form I-129 (Nonimmigrant Worker): Nonpremium processing now takes 2.7 months.
Despite these improvements, certain forms like Form I-601, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, and Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, still have higher processing times and net backlogs.
“If we come to the broader range of form types still experiencing delays, you’ll see that we have allocated more resources to expedite these applications,” explains an official from the HART Service Center, which is set to make significant strides in these areas.
What Steps Are Being Taken to Address Delays?
Investments in Staffing and Resources
To tackle extensive delays, the USCIS has hired new staff and made substantial investments, especially for EB-5 immigrant investor forms. These efforts are taking place at the Immigrant Investor Program Office, aligning with Congress’s anti-fraud and integrity provisions.
For more specific information about the EB-5 program and relevant applications, you can view the updated EB-5 FAQs on the USCIS official website.
Fee Adjustments to Recover Operating Costs
On April 1, 2024, a new fee rule went into effect, marking the first adjustment since 2016 for certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. This fee adjustment is designed to fully recover the operating costs and support more timely processing.
How Are Processing Times Reported?
Administrative vs. Statutory Processing Times
The recent updates have also refined the resource for checking case processing times. Notably, there’s a clear distinction between administrative processing times, which USCIS is actively working to reduce, and statutory delays that only Congress can address.
An example of statutory delays is evident in the processing times for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. These delays are primarily due to insufficient available immigrant visas under statutory caps established by the Immigration Act of 1990. Before processing an I-130 petition, the State Department’s visa bulletin is used to determine visa availability.
Historical Trends in USCIS Processing Times: What the Data Shows
Trends from FY 2016 to FY 2024
Processing times have evolved significantly from fiscal year 2016 to 2024. Below is a snapshot of median processing times (in months) for select forms:
| Form (Basis for Filing) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-765 (Asylum Applicant) | 2 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 2 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 9.2 | 1.6 | 0.6 |
| I-765 (I-485 Adjustment Application) | 2.5 | 3 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 4.8 | 7.1 | 6.7 | 5.5 | 3.6 |
| I-765 (Parole) | 2.6 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 6.1 | 4.7 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.9 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization | 5.2 | 7.9 | 9.7 | 10 | 9.1 | 11.5 | 10.5 | 6.1 | 5.2 |
| I-131 Advance Parole Document | 2.3 | 3 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 7.7 | 7.3 | 5.8 | 4.4 |
| I-485 (Grant of Asylum more than 1 year ago) | 4.4 | 5.5 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 12.9 | 22.6 | 22.9 | 13.9 |
| I-485 (Refugee Admission more than 1 year) | 5.5 | 4.6 | 6.4 | 9.4 | 9.3 | 7.1 | 14.1 | 21.6 | 13.3 |
What Are the Main Changes in Processing Times?
Reviewing changes in median processing time provides more clarity on what’s improving and where challenges remain. Here’s a look at some notable percentage changes in processing times from the prior year for key forms:
| Form (Basis for Filing) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-765 (Asylum Applicant) | – | -15% | -47% | 122% | 25% | 28% | 188% | -83% | -63% |
| I-765 (I-485 Adjustment Application) | – | 20% | 37% | 24% | -6% | 48% | -6% | -18% | -35% |
| I-765 (Parole) | – | 12% | 21% | 74% | -23% | -87% | 83% | 18% | -31% |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization | – | 52% | 23% | 3% | -9% | 26% | -9% | -42% | -15% |
| I-485 (Grant of Asylum more than 1 year ago) | – | 25% | 13% | 8% | 3% | 87% | 75% | 1% | -39% |
| I-485 (Refugee Admission more than 1 year) | – | -16% | 39% | 47% | -1% | -24% | 99% | 53% | -38% |
How Can I Check My Case’s Processing Time?
Updated Case Processing Times Resource
USCIS has improved the Check Case Processing Times resource. This tool now provides better clarity between administrative processing times and delays due to statutory limitations. This distinction can help applicants understand the nature of delays they might face.
To check your case status and processing time, you can use the official Check Case Processing Times tool on the USCIS website.
Why Do Some Processing Times Seem Longer?
Delays Due to Statutory Caps
Some processing times might seem unusually long. For instance, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, often experiences delays. This is typically due to the limited availability of immigrant visas under the statutory caps set by the Immigration Act of 1990.
USCIS relies on the State Department’s visa bulletin to determine visa availability before processing an I-130 preference petition. The longer processing times for these forms are not purely administrative but involve legislative limitations that only Congress can change.
What Future Improvements Can We Expect?
Further Efforts by the HART Service Center
The HART Service Center is dedicating significant efforts to reduce backlogs and enhance processing times for some of the more delayed forms like Form I-601 and Form I-730. This initiative is part of a broader push to streamline USCIS processing times across all forms.
Conclusion
USCIS has made noteworthy strides in reducing processing times for many crucial forms, benefiting numerous applicants. However, challenges remain for some applications, especially those impacted by statutory limitations. With continued efforts and strategic investments in staffing and resources, further improvements are expected in the coming months. For more detailed information on USCIS processing and the latest updates, visit the official USCIS website.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Immigration Terms
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD):
A legal document issued by the USCIS that grants noncitizens the permission to work in the United States for a specific period. - Naturalization:
The legal process through which a noncitizen acquires citizenship or nationality of a country, allowing them to enjoy the rights and responsibilities of a citizen. - Advance Parole Documents:
A permit granted by USCIS allowing certain noncitizens to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad, without the need for a visa. - Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status):
A form used by individuals in the U.S. to apply for lawful permanent resident status (Green Card) without having to return to their home country for visa processing. - Statutory Caps:
Legally mandated limits set by Congress on the number of certain types of immigrant visas that can be issued annually, often causing delays in processing times when the cap is reached.
This Article In A Nutshell:
USCIS processing times improved significantly in 2024. Employment Authorization Documents for asylum applicants now take less than 30 days, with naturalization reduced to 5.2 months. Key measures include increased staffing and fee adjustments. However, challenges remain for certain applications. Visit the USCIS website for detailed updates.
— By VisaVerge.com
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