Ordinarily, you cannot make follow-ups or inquiries if the case is still within the posted processing times. If it is, it is possible to make inquiries or follow-ups with USCIS. Monitor your case and processing times, to see if your case is actually outside or past the posted processing time.This could cut down on USCIS having to serve requests for evidence. Make sure all your forms are filled out correctly, are complete, and the required evidence and documents are submitted.Many applications, renewals, or extensions can be submitted up to 180 days before expiration. File your application as soon as possible, versus waiting until the last minute or when your status is about to expire.Meanwhile, here are tips you can do that can help speed up your case: In some very rare cases, a person may be eligible for expedited processing, but that is very rare. Now, with offices reopening, and officers coming back to work, we hope that USCIS can reduce the backlog and cut down on processing times. USCIS also closed its offices in March 2020 for several months for interviews and biometrics, creating an additional backlog. But the fingerprinting facilities were closed during the pandemic. Some immigration benefits, such as work authorizations, require the person to be fingerprinted. Also, when considering an extension, let’s say of H-1B visa, USCIS officers were required to conduct an in-depth review of the previous approval, rather than accepting the original approval as being done correctly. For example, USCIS was denying cases if any spaces were left blank. This was caused by inefficient processing, understaffing, and various changes in policy due to Covid-19.Īlso, during the Trump Administration, USCIS created many new policies designed to actually restrict or delay cases. In other words, even though fewer cases were being filed, the processing times increased.Īlso the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to these delays. And what is more frustrating is that even though there is a dramatic increase in processing times, USCIS experienced at least a 10% drop in cases they received between 20. Between 20 USCIS’s processing times for all petitions and application forms increased by 37%. Those delays can have a severe impact on businesses, families being separated, and jeopardize lives.Įmployment based cases, naturalization, travel documents or advance parole, and employment authorizations are also experiencing delays. But in 2020 the average processing time was at least nine months. For example, in 2014, an average case took about five months to process. The American Immigration Lawyers Association, or AILA, put out a flyer explaining some of the problems or issues that are going on. What’s going on? Why is it taking so long? What can be done by petitioners, beneficiaries, and applicants who are eligible for various immigration benefits, but it is taking so long to get USCIS to approve their case? Good luck if you’re changing from visitor to student. For example, if person wants to change to student status, the California Service Center could take between 15 to 20 months. Some non-immigrant change of status applications can take almost 2 years to process.Employment based petitions at some Service Centers can take up to a year.That’s almost 11 years, just to get the petition approved. And 139 months to process a petition for a married child (F3).It can take up to 72 months for USCIS to process a petition for unmarried son or daughter over 21 years of age (F2B),.citizen of their spouse, parent, or minor child. It can take up to 32 months for USCIS to process an “immediate relative” (IR) petition by a U.S.For example, at the California service Center: It can be extremely frustrating about how long USCIS takes to process petitions, extensions, work authorizations, adjustment of status, and applications. Posted at 16:59h in Immigration Articles by Michael J.

Applicants should also call the USCIS at 1-80 to inform the office of the address change. In case of an address change after filing form N-400, applicants must inform the USCIS of their relocation within 10 days of moving by filing form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address. The USCIS schedules interviews as close as possible to an applicant’s home address.Ī typical interview lasts 30 minutes. The interview notice generally arrives by mail and is another form I-797 notice of action. At this point, you should be preparing for the citizenship interview and test. You must attend this interview at the time it is scheduled because rescheduling is difficult and can add several months to the naturalization process. Once the biometrics are complete, the USCIS will make another appointment for a naturalization interview. Naturalization Interview Appointment Notice (5–9 Months) An immigration lawyer can help you mitigate potential obstacles in your naturalization application. Certain felonies can bar you from getting immigration benefits. If you have an existing criminal record, it is best to get an immigration lawyer to help you with the entire process. It is best not to miss this appointment as rescheduling can be a hassle and take months. It is merely an appointment meant for collecting the applicant’s biometric information. The biometrics appointment is not the final interview. Passport or a national photo identification issued by your country.The USCIS accepts the following identification documents: Remember to carry a government-issued ID to enter the office. Details of your appointment will be on the appointment notice. The biometrics appointment, or biometrics screening, is a brief appointment with USCIS officials where they collect biometric data like fingerprints, photographs, and signatures. If you haven’t received your biometrics appointment, you can send a case inquiry. However, all applicants are required to take the biometrics screening. The biometric services fee is waived for all applicants ages 75 years and older. The USCIS mandates all applicants to submit biometric information to conduct security and background checks. The location assigned is generally the closest to your current address. The USCIS will send you a biometrics appointment notice with information on your appointment’s date, location, and time. Once your application is accepted, the next step is to get your biometrics done. Biometrics Appointment Notice (3–5 Weeks) It can be useful for later stages in the application process. Therefore, you must prepare your application to the best of your abilities and submit all the required documents.Īlso, be sure to save the receipt number. Either of the two will delay the process significantly. They may also send a request for evidence if they require additional proof. If the form is not filed properly, the USCIS sends a notice of action, informing the applicant of the rejection of the application. The receipt notice, previously known as form I-797C, Notice of Action, typically arrives 2–3 weeks after submitting the form. Once you’ve successfully filed form N-400, the USCIS will send an acknowledgment receipt that confirms the successful submission of your application. Here is the timeline for the N-400 application: Receipt of Application (2–3 Weeks) Knowing the approximate timeline of events in the naturalization process can help you prepare better and increase your chances of a successful application. Once the USCIS successfully accepts the application, the applicant enters a long process of submitting biometric details and interviews before getting a final confirmation on their citizenship. Certain applicants can request and receive a fee waiver. This includes non-refundable charges, including $640 for processing and $85 for a biometrics screening. After filing form N-400, all applicants must pay the application fee of $725.