USCIS released a new fact sheet with data spanning fiscal years 2016-2024 that shows the progress made in reducing processing times.

Key Points:

  • According to the data, median processing times were significantly lower in the first six months of the 2024 fiscal year than in the previous fiscal year.
  • FY2024 median processing times include:
    • Just over 3½ months for employment authorization documents from adjustment applicants, the lowest since 2017.
    • Less than 30 days for employment authorization documents from asylum applicants and certain parolees.
    • Slightly over five months for naturalization processes.
    • Just under 4½ months for advance parole documents.
    • Less than three months for Form I-129 petitions for nonimmigrant workers.
  • Processing times and net backlogs remained higher than processing goals for other forms, including Form I-601, Application for Provisional Unlawful Waiver; Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition; and determinations related to Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status.

Additional Information: The agency said the opening of the new Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center will help in further reducing processing times for Form I-601, Form I-730 and Form I-918. It added that progress has been made in reducing processing times for EB-5 immigrant investor forms with the hiring of new staff. Individuals can refer to the Check Case Processing Times page to help determine how long processing will take.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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