USCIS Processing Times Gain Transparency
USCIS recently announced exciting news for those with pending USCIS cases. A new pilot website now offers a user-friendly platform that estimates the processing time for your application. The website is still in the testing stages and will first offer the service to four types of forms.
Clearer Processing Times
Several factors impact the processing time of any given USCIS application or petition. Location, type of application, backlogs, among other limitations can impact processing times by several months. With the new pilot website, those who file the following forms will have access to automated, personalized processing estimations:
- Form N-400, Application for Naturalization;
- Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card;
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; and
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.
For applicants in the above categories, the new USCIS website will provide an approximate processing date range following a series of questions regarding the circumstance of your application. The website generates a range starting with a lower bound estimation, representing the median processing time, and an upper bound estimation, representing the period of time taken to process 93% of cases. For example, an individual would check the processing time for their application for naturalization by entering their type of form (N-400), and processing center location. The website will produce an easy to read range, for example 6 months – 9.5 months, representing regional estimates for processing similar applications. This tool will allow for a more precise timeline for individuals who are often left with vague response regarding the processing time of their case.
Case Inquiries
According to the USCIS website, the agency asks that applicants wait the entire period of the upper end estimate provided by the new website to make an “outside normal processing time” case inquiry. Drawing from the previous scenario, the individual applying for naturalization would have to wait 9.5 months after filing their N-400 before submitting a service request or contacting USCIS.