The immigration process can take several months up to more than a year to complete. Understandably, the waiting game can be difficult to go through, with all the uncertainty of when an applicant will receive an update.


That’s why those going through it must be aware of how to check their USCIS processing times and educate themselves on what happens during processing.


How to Check Your USCIS Processing Time

Information about the USCIS processing time is available online, at the official website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. One can simply head over to Google.com and type “USCIS processing time” to find the official page.


Under the “Form” drop-down, the applicant must select the type of form that they filed. For example, an applicant who submitted an EAD or Employment Authorization Document should select this in the drop-down menu.


In the “Field Office or Service Center” drop-down, select where the application is being processed. In the case of EADs, most applications go through the National Benefits Center. It can also be called Missouri Service Center (MSC).


If the application is for a green card, the form must be the “I-485” application. For naturalization, the form is the “N-400.” The second drop-down must indicate the applicant’s permanent residence.


When all the selections are accomplished, click “Get processing time.” For most EAD cases, the processing time will be 5 to 10 months. A green card can take 19 to 39.5 months to process, and naturalization takes roughly 13 to 15 months. These periods are subject to change depending on processing delays or workload issues within the immigration service center.


What Influences the Duration of Processing?

An important thing to note is that processing times are not set in stone. They can be affected by various factors, such as the number of applications being received, the area where the applications are being processed, and political influence.


In the past, there used to be a regulation that made it mandatory to decide and adjudicate all applications within 90 days. However, that regulation has been scrapped, which means that there is no longer a maximum time to wait for an immigration application.


As a result, many applicants are struggling with long processing times. Lawyers are coming together to come up with solutions to advocate for their clients and help get their immigration applications in order.


What to Do Next When You Get a Job Offer in the U.S.

A non-U.S. citizen who gets a job offer in the United States needs to work on their immigration process. The first step is to speak to the company about sponsoring them to work in the country. They will need to file the proper immigration paperwork on the candidate’s behalf so that they can enter and work in the United States.


A lawyer can also assist in the process and set up a consultation with the candidate and the employer to discuss the immigration requirements.