01/01/2008

News / Processing Times and Case Status

Applications are processed in the order they are received by application type. The average processing times for all applications are posted on our website. Processing times are an estimate of how long it will take to complete your case. Each case is different; so some cases may take longer than others. You can use your receipt to check your case status on Case Status Online (See the "Related Links" section of this page). Please be advised that we will only research your case if it is beyond our posted processing times (You can also find a link to processing times in the Related Links section).

The processing times are for applications that have been just completed. If you have just filed your application, these timeframes may not reflect how long your application will take to be completed. We encourage you to check processing times before inquiring about your case. The processing times are updated monthly.

USCIS has received a significant increase in the number of applications filed. In July and August, nearly 2.5 million applications and petitions of all types were received. This compares to 1.2 million applications and petitions received in the same time period last year. This fiscal year, we received 1.4 million applications for naturalization; nearly double the volume we received the year before. The agency is working to improve processes and focus increased resources, including hiring approximately 1,500 new employees, to address this workload.

As a result, average processing times for certain application types may become longer. In particular, naturalization applications filed after June 1, 2007 may take approximately 16 - 18 months to process.

When your application is received by a USCIS Service Center or the National Benefits Center, we will mail you a receipt notice. The receipt notice will have all of the important information you need about your case. With your receipt number you can check the status of your case on our website and also register on our website for automatic case status updates as we process your case.

For more information about when and how to contact us, whether your case is outside our processing time, or if there are other issues, please see our customer guide Case Services - How Do I... know what kind of services are available to me after I file my application or petition? also available in the Related Links section of this page.

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