Why is my immigration status taking so long?

Asked by: Tara Tremblay DVM  |  Last update: October 28, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (10 votes)

Many factors may affect how long it takes USCIS to complete an application, petition or request, such as the number of applications, petitions, or requests we receive, workload and staffing allocations, the time a benefit requestor takes responding to a request for more information, as well as policy and operational ...

Why is USCIS taking so long to process cases?

One major reason for the slower review times is that immigration forms have significantly increased in length over the last two decades, from fewer than 200 pages total in 2003 to more than 700 pages total in 2023. Overall, 93% of USCIS forms have grown in length since their introduction.

What can I do if my immigration case is taking too long?

What To Do When You Haven't Heard Back About Your Application
  1. Check Your Case Status Online. ...
  2. Call A USCIS Customer Service Representative. ...
  3. Make An Appointment With A USCIS Agent. ...
  4. Write A Letter To Your Local USCIS Supervisor Asking For Clarification On Your Case. ...
  5. Contact An Immigration Lawyer And File A Lawsuit.

How long does it take to hear back from immigration?

Technically, the USCIS has to provide you with a decision on your naturalization application within 120 days of your naturalization interview. In a green card application, the USCIS is supposed to provide you with an official notification of their decision within 30 days of your interview.

How long does I-130 take to get approved 2023?

For a spouse of a U.S. citizen, the average processing time for Form I-130 in 2023 takes between 12 and 16 months. Spouses of U.S. citizens are considered immediate relatives.

Why is my immigration case taking so long?

16 related questions found

Is USCIS processing faster in 2023?

The USCIS has also improved its processing time for work permits in 2023 to 3.6 months, up from 4.1 months in 2022. Contact The Law Office of Serah Waweru to schedule a consultation if you have more questions about the processing times of your particular petition.

How can I speed up my I-130?

Can I speed up the processing time for I-130?
  1. Submit a strong application the first time, and apply as soon as you can.
  2. File an expedite request with USCIS.
  3. Reach out to your congressional representative directly for help.
  4. Stay in touch with USCIS. You can check the status of your petition online or by calling USCIS.

Which Uscis office is the fastest?

The most efficient U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office is also stated to be in Cleveland.

How do I follow up on immigration status?

Online: Use the case status online tool to check for updates about your immigration case. You will need your 13-character receipt number from your application or petition. By phone: If you are calling from the U.S., contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 or TTY 1-800-767-1833.

How long is case being actively reviewed by USCIS I-130?

It takes approximately 120 days for USCIS to actively review a case. The agency may require additional time to complete its review if any documents are missing. In these instances, USCIS can put a case on hold until it receives any missing documents.

Can you sue USCIS for slow processing?

You may sue the USCIS if it is taking longer than usual to process or decide your case.

Does lawyer speed up the immigration process?

While an immigration attorney cannot per say “speed up” your case, the immigration attorney is knowledgeable in immigration law and will know the best strategy and options for your case. Undeniably, this avoids any unreasonable delay by anyone lacking specialized knowledge in this area of law.

Can I call USCIS about my case status?

Our toll free number is 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) and our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Eastern.

How do I know if USCIS is reviewing my case?

To check your case status using our online tool, you have to have your case receipt number. This receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier that USCIS provides for each application or petition it receives, and it's used to identify and track its cases.

Is USCIS going to speed up?

The USCIS has also improved its processing time for work permits in 2023 to 3.6 months, up from 4.1 months in 2022. Green card petitions under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 are being processed much faster in 2023 (3.4 months compared to the 5.4 months processing time for 2022).

Did USCIS speed up process?

USCIS 2023 - New Hope For Speedy Service

For example, during the Trump-era, applications for extension of status were given fresh scrutiny, increasing processing time. The USCIS has now reversed this, and once again defers to prior decision-making when considering an application for extension.

What does it mean when immigration is reviewing your case?

During the review, the team will go over your paperwork to get an initial impression of your case. They also evaluate the evidence and any supporting documents you included to determine if they will need to request more information.

Can you ask about immigration status?

Asking for specific citizenship status information for purposes unrelated to any recruitment, hiring, or firing decision is unlikely to violate the law IER enforces.

Can you ask someone their immigration status?

Ask, But Ask Carefully

To avoid bias, it's best to ask this question prior to the interview. Remember to mind your language. Any hint of bias could make you liable to discrimination charges and investigations by the Department of Justice's Office of Special Council (OSC).

How many cases does USCIS process a day?

On an average day we:

Adjudicate more than 32,500 requests for various immigration benefits. Process 3,700 applications to sponsor relatives and future spouses. Analyze nearly 550 tips, leads, cases and detections for potential fraud, public safety and national security concerns.

Which state is the best for immigration?

5 Best States to Live In If You Are An Immigrant
  • New Jersey – The Garden State.
  • Maryland – The Old Line State.
  • Texas – The Lone Star State.
  • New York – The Empire State.
  • California – The Golden State.
  • Talk to an immigration attorney.

How do I know which Uscis office is handling my case?

To find the office handling your case, enter your zipcode into the USCIS search box. This will bring up the relevant field office. Importantly, for some key forms such as Form I-130, Form I-129 and others, a USCIS service center will handle the application.

What to do if I-130 is taking too long?

If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from the service center within 60 days, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283 or submit an inquiry using e-request at https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do.

Who can help speed up immigration process?

Premium processing is a service offered by USCIS that allows individuals or employers to expedite the processing of certain immigration petitions. It is available for select employment-based visas and some nonimmigrant visa categories.

How long does 130 approval take?

Most Form I-130 petitions for immediate relatives are approved within a 6 to 12 month time frame, but they can take longer in some cases. If you are in the United States and also filed an application to adjust status, USCIS will begin reviewing Form I-485 at this point.