How long is my form taking?
USCIS publishes a range per form and per office. Both matter — the same form can differ by months depending on where it is being handled.
Forms decided centrally, at the National Benefits Center or Service Center Operations. Here the category of work is what changes the answer, not the office.
I-140 — Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
2.5 to 7.5 months
Advanced degree or exceptional ability (E21)
Advanced degree or exceptional ability (E21)
2.5–7.5 mo
Skilled worker or professional (E31; E32)
4–8.5 mo
Median about 2.4 mo · 75% by 3.8 mo · 90% by 8.1 mo
Unskilled worker (EW3)
7.5–12.5 mo
Median about 5.8 mo · 75% by 7.3 mo · 90% by 12 mo
Outstanding professor or researcher (E12)
15.5–19 mo
Median about 14.3 mo · 75% by 15.3 mo · 90% by 18.7 mo
Schedule A Nurses
24.5–26 mo (2–2.2 yrs)
Median about 24 mo · 75% by 24.4 mo · 90% by 25.9 mo
Multinational executive or manager (E13)
27–29 mo (2.3–2.4 yrs)
Median about 26.3 mo · 75% by 26.9 mo · 90% by 28.8 mo
Across 8 categories
- Fastest
- Advanced degree or exceptional ability (E21)2.5–7.5 mo
- Slowest
- Extraordinary ability (E11)31–34.5 mo (2.6–2.9 yrs)
Ranges are as published by USCIS: the low figure is where about 80% of cases have finished and the high figure about 93%. Confirm on Check on USCIS's processing times page.