What does my progress mean in USCIS?
Asked by: Randall King V | Last update: February 10, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (50 votes)
"myProgress" is a USCIS online tool in your myUSCIS account that offers personalized estimated timelines for major milestones (receipt, biometrics, review, decision) on certain applications, like N-400, I-130, I-90, I-765, I-131, and I-485, helping you track progress beyond basic status updates, though estimates aren't guarantees.
How accurate is my progress in USCIS?
Personalized estimates in myProgress are based on case type and historical USCIS data, and are not a guarantee of timing. Many factors influence the processing time for each individual form or application filed, and processing times are always subject to change.
What are the stages of the immigration process?
The U.S. immigration process generally involves three main stages: Petition, where a sponsor files a form (like I-130/I-140) for a relative or worker; National Visa Center (NVC) Processing, where fees, documents, and the online DS-260 application are submitted after petition approval; and the Interview, where the applicant attends a final interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, leading to visa issuance or denial. For those already in the U.S., the process might involve Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) after the petition, leading to a Green Card.
How do you know if your USCIS case is approved?
You know USCIS approved your case when the online status shows "Case Approved" or you receive the physical I-797 Approval Notice (NOA2) in the mail, but you should first use your unique 13-character receipt number (starting with 3 letters like EAC, WAC, IOE) on the USCIS Case Status tool at uscis.gov/casestatus for real-time updates. You'll get alerts for other actions too, like RFEs or biometric appointments, but a final approval means a decision was made.
What is the next step after a case is still being processed by USCIS?
If your case has been in pending status much longer than the posted USCIS processing times, you can reach out through the USCIS Contact Center or by submitting an inquiry on the USCIS website.
What Is The "My Progress" Tab On USCIS? - US Citizenship Immigration Guide
How many days does USCIS have to make a decision?
USCIS has 120 days from the date of the initial naturalization interview to issue a decision. If the decision is not issued within 120 days of the interview, an applicant may request judicial review of his or her application in district court.
What are the different levels of immigration status?
When immigrating to the US, there are four different types of immigration status categories that individuals may fall into: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.
How often does USCIS update processing times?
USCIS updates its online case processing times page monthly with the latest available data, but these times are estimates based on data that's about a month old when posted, so they aren't real-time and can vary significantly due to high application volumes and workload. For official timelines, you should check the USCIS Processing Times webpage for your specific form and location, keeping in mind the figures represent median times (50% processed) and the upper end (93% processed).
What is next after my case was approved in I-130?
After an I-130 is approved, the next step depends on if your relative is in the U.S. or abroad: if in the U.S., they might file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status); if abroad, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC) for fee payments, document submission (including Affidavit of Support), and scheduling a consular interview for an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.
How do I know which USCIS is processing my case?
To find the USCIS office handling your case, check your Form I-797 Receipt Notice, specifically the bottom left corner, for the assigned field office or service center. If you applied online or have an IOE receipt, use your online account or the USCIS Case Status tool, as the initial lockbox is often different from the processing office, and for forms like N-400 or I-485, it's often your local field office.
Is USCIS processing faster in 2025?
In 2025, USCIS processing times are mixed, with some forms like Naturalization (N-400) seeing faster processing, while others, particularly Adjustment of Status (I-485) for green cards, are experiencing significant backlogs and longer waits, though receipt notices for new forms are faster, and premium processing remains an option for some employment-based cases. Overall, it's a dynamic period with improvements in some areas but continued challenges, especially for complex family-based and adjustment cases.
What is the last step in the immigration process?
The final step is the foreign national's application for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad or an application to adjust status to LPR if in lawful status in the United States. For consular processing, the immigrant visa application cannot be filed until after USCIS approves the immigrant petition.
What are the 5 phases of immigration?
Culture shock usually is comprised of 5 phases: (1) honeymoon phase, (2) rejection phase, (3) adjustment/adaptation phase, (4) integration/biculturalism phase and (5) reverse culture shock (that occurs after you return back to your home country at the end of your program here).
Where is my progress on USCIS?
To check your USCIS progress, use the Case Status Online tool with your 13-character receipt number (e.g., EAC1234567890) on the USCIS website. Alternatively, create a myUSCIS account at my.uscis.gov to see personalized case cards and the new myProgress tab for online-filed forms, which shows your application's journey.
Can I-130 be approved in 3 months?
It's highly unlikely an I-130 petition gets approved in just 3 months, as current typical processing times for immediate relatives (spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21) of U.S. citizens average around 14-18 months, and even longer for other family preference categories, though some very fast or concurrent filings (I-130 & I-485) can be quicker. While some lucky cases or specific circumstances might see approvals in a few months (like under 4 months), it's very rare, with most seeing waits of a year or more.
How many cases does USCIS review a day?
On an average day, USCIS: Adjudicates more than 28,000 requests for various immigration benefits. Processes 3,100 applications to sponsor relatives and future spouses. Analyzes nearly 600 tips, leads, cases and detections for potential fraud, public safety, and national security concerns.
How long after your I-130 is approved will you get an interview?
After I-130 approval, the timeline to interview varies greatly, but generally involves 1-2 months for transfer to the National Visa Center (NVC), several months for NVC processing (fees, documents), and then waiting for an interview slot at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, which can range from weeks to over a year, depending on visa availability, location, and consulate workload. Immediate relatives (spouses, minor children, parents of U.S. citizens) often have faster processing, while family preference categories (F1, F2, etc.) must wait for a visa number to become available via the Visa Bulletin.
Is issued the same as approved?
✔ Approved = decision made that you qualify. ✔ Issued = visa printed & in your passport.
Can USCIS approve I-130 without interview?
Yes, it is possible to be approved for an I-130 without an interview. Many I-130 petitions are approved with an interview waiver. However, whether or not an interview is required is ultimately up to the USCIS officer reviewing the petition.
Why is my USCIS case still processing?
Your USCIS case is still processing due to a combination of huge backlogs from COVID-19, understaffing, policy changes, complex filings, and increased application volume, leading to lengthy waits even after a "actively reviewed" status; sometimes this status is just a placeholder, and delays can be months or years as files are moved, reviewed, or require extra documentation or security checks.
What is the current wait time for I-130?
Current I-130 processing times vary, but Immediate Relatives (spouses, parents, unmarried children of U.S. citizens) often see approval in about 10-15 months, averaging around 14.8 months, while Family Preference categories face much longer waits, from several years to over two decades, depending on visa availability and country. Times depend heavily on the specific USCIS Service Center, whether filed concurrently with an Adjustment of Status (I-485), and if the beneficiary lives inside or outside the U.S.
What affects USCIS processing times?
Processing times vary widely depending on the type of petition you file, who is sponsoring you, and whether your case is handled inside the U.S. or through consular processing abroad. Below is a breakdown of current USCIS processing times by petition type and what those timelines mean for you.
What do the Uscis case status colors mean?
There are 4 different status colors:
Orange - action required, orange = request for evidence / expiring soon / insufficient funds etc. Red - problem, red = could not deliver / rejected / denied / refused / expired etc. Blue - normal, blue = all other status' that do not result in the above colors will be shown in blue.
What is the 7 year rule for immigrants?
The "7-year rule" in U.S. immigration refers to proposed legislation, particularly the Dignity Act and registry bill updates (like H.R. 1511/S. 4974), that would create a pathway to a green card for long-term residents who have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least seven years and meet other requirements like good moral character, updating the current outdated registry cutoff date (currently 1972). While not currently law, these bills aim to provide legal status for millions, including Dreamers and essential workers, by establishing a rolling eligibility date for permanent residency.
What is level 3 immigration?
Level 3 advisers can do everything that Level 1 and 2 advisers can. They can also appear on your behalf at an immigration tribunal. In certain situations they can help you if you go to court.