USCIS Processing Times for I-130s and I-129Fs Remain Stubbornly High

Summary

This article focuses on processing times for Forms I-130 (Petitions for Alien Relatives) on behalf of immediate relatives (i.e., spouses, parents, and children under age 21) and Forms I-129F (Petitions for Alien Fiancé(e)s) who will apply for their visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.

Table 1 below, based on our firm’s monthly check of USCIS processing times, shows that average processing times for such I-130s have decreased slightly in the last year:

  • I-130s:
    • Apr. 2022: 9-12 mo.
    • Jan. 2021: 13.5-17.5 mo.
  • I-129Fs:
    • Apr. 2022: 10-13 mo.
    • Jan. 2021: 14-18 mo.

USCIS is receiving an increased number of such I-130s:

  • 2021: 310,877
  • 2020: 236,767

According to USCIS’ own analysis, “Across the agency, the volume of pending cases increased.”

And the number of such I-130s that are pending has increased significantly, suggesting that processing times will continue to climb:

  • Dec. 2021: 308,775
  • Dec. 2020: 176,172

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has similarly reported that under the Biden administration USCIS “has been unable to make a dent in its still-growing backlog and has allowed its already crisis-level processing delays to continue to grow.”

In response to AILA and other advocates, the Biden administration has promised to decrease cycle times to 6 months by Oct. 2023. See USCIS Announces New Cycle Time Goals.

Methodology

Table 1 shows processing times at all Service Centers for:

  • Forms I-130, Petitions for Alien Relatives, filed by U.S. citizens for immediate relatives (i.e., spouses, parents, or children under 21). More specifically, these processing times are for standalone I-130s, meaning I-130s not filed together with Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status; and
  • Forms I-129F, Petitions for Alien Fiancé(e)s. Upon approval of such petitions, the beneficiaries apply for K-1 or K-2 visas at U.S. consular posts abroad.

Source: USCIS Case Processing Times. These I-130s and I-129Fs are filed with USCIS lockboxes and from there routed to different Service Centers according to workload.

Note that that the “average” processing times listed in Table 1 are the median of the processing times listed for each Service Center. These averages are not weighted by the number of petitions adjudicated at each center. This “average” may overstate processing times somewhat since presumably as USCIS lockboxes receive new I-130s they tend to route them for adjudication to Service Centers with the ability to adjudicate them quickest.

Table 2 shows numbers of I-130s received, approved, denied, and pending at each service center. Source: “Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, by Category, Case Status, and USCIS Field Office or Service Center Location,” USCIS Performance Data.

Table 1: Processing Times for standalone I-130s for immediate relatives

Date Checked: 2022-04-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California6.5 – 8.52021-08-20
“Nebraska5 – 72021-09-24
“Potomac10 – 132021-03-27
“Texas11 – 14.52021-02-18
“Vermont12 – 162021-01-03
“Average9 – 12
I-129FCalifornia10 – 132021-03-27
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont none shown none shown
“Average10 – 13
Date Checked: 2022-03-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California6.5 – 8.52021-07-20
“Nebraska5 – 72021-08-24
“Potomac10 – 132021-02-24
“Texas11 – 14.52021-01-18
“Vermont12 – 162020-12-03
“Average9 – 12
I-129FCalifornia10 – 132021-02-24
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont none shown none shown
“Average10 – 13
Date Checked: 2022-02-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California29.5 – 38.52018-12-20
“Nebraska4.5 – 72021-07-27
“Potomac12.5 – 162020-11-01
“Texas10.5 – 142021-01-04
“Vermont11.5 – 152020-12-05
“Average13.5 – 18
I-129FCalifornia9 – 122021-03-07
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont none shown none shown
“Average9 – 12
Date Checked: 2022-01-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California28.5 – 372019-01-03
“Nebraska4 – 72021-06-29
“Potomac12 – 162020-10-10
“Texas10.5 – 13.52020-12-15
“Vermont10.5 – 13.52020-12-17
“Average13 – 17.5
I-129FCalifornia7 – 9.52021-04-25
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont none shown none shown
“Average7 – 9.5
Date Checked: 2021-12-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California27.5 – 35.52019-01-10
“Nebraska3.5 – 72021-05-26
“Potomac12.5 – 162020-08-31
“Texas10.5 – 142020-11-04
“Vermont10 – 132020-12-05
“Average13 – 17
I-129FCalifornia6.5 – 8.52021-04-19
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont none shown none shown
“Average6.5 – 8.5
Date Checked: 2021-11-24
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California26.5 – 34.52019-01-21
“Nebraska3.5 – 72021-04-28
“Potomac12.5 – 16.52020-07-19
“Texas10.5 – 13.52020-10-18
“Vermont9.5 – 12.52020-11-19
“Average12.5 – 17
I-129FCalifornia6 – 82021-03-27
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont none shown none shown
“Average6 – 8
Date Checked: 2021-10-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California25.5 – 332019-01-28
“Nebraska3 – 72021-03-26
“Potomac13 – 16.52020-06-08
“Texas10 – 132020-10-05
“Vermont9.5 – 122020-10-30
“Average12 – 16.5
I-129FCalifornia6 – 82021-02-28
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont none shown none shown
“Average6 – 8
Date Checked: 2021-09-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California24.5 – 322019-02-07
“Nebraska2.5 – 72021-02-25
“Potomac13 – 16.52020-05-10
“Texas10 – 132020-09-06
“Vermont23.5 – 302019-03-28
“Average14.5 – 19.5
I-129FCalifornia6 – 82021-01-25
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont9 – 11.52020-10-13
“Average7.5 – 10
Date Checked: 2021-08-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California23.5 – 30.52019-2-19
“Nebraska1.5 – 72021-1-28
“Potomac13 – 172020-04-11
“Texas9 – 11.52020-09-23
“Vermont32 – 41.52018-03-24
“Average16 – 21.5
I-129FCalifornia6 – 82020-12-28
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont8 – 10.52020-10-25
“Average7 – 9
Date Checked: 2021-07-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California22.5 – 292019-2-23
“Nebraska1 – 72020-12-24
“Potomac13 – 172020-03-01
“Texas8.5 – 10.52020-09-07
“Vermont31 – 402018-03-28
“Average13 – 21
I-129FCalifornia5.5 – 7.52020-12-13
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont7 – 92020-10-26
“Average6 – 8
Date Checked: 2021-05-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California21.5 – 282019-02-09
“Nebraska2 – 72020-10-30
“Potomac13 – 172020-01-09
“Texas8.5 – 10.52020-07-13
“Vermont30 – 392018-03-13
“Average15 – 20.5
I-129FCalifornia6 – 82020-10-04
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont6 – 82020-10-04
“Average6 – 8
Date Checked: 2021-04-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California20.5 – 26.52019-02-17
“Nebraska2 – 72020-10-31
“Potomac13 – 16.52019-12-18
“Texas8 – 10.52020-06-23
“Vermont29 – 37.52018-03-22
“Average14.5 – 19.5
I-129FCalifornia5.5 – 7.52020-09-20
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont5 – 72020-10-01
“Average5.5 – 7.5
Date Checked: 2021-03-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California19.5 – 25.52019-02-27
“Nebraska2 – 72020-08-31
“Potomac12.5 – 16.52019-11-23
“Texas9 – 122020-04-02
“Vermont28 – 362018-03-31
“Average14 – 19.5
I-129FCalifornia5 – 72020-08-29
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont23.5 – 302018-09-29
“Average14 – 18.5
Date Checked: 2021-02-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California18.5 – 242019-03-11
“Nebraska5 – 72020-08-02
“Potomac12 – 162019-11-16
“Texas8.5 – 112020-04-03
“Vermont27 – 352018-04-12
“Average12.5 – 18.5
I-129FCalifornia5.5 – 7.52020-08-01
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont22.5 – 292018-10-11
“Average14 – 18
Date Checked: 2021-01-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California16 – 212019-05-08
“Nebraska6 – 82020-06-09
“Potomac11.5 – 152019-11-02
“Texas8.5 – 10.52020-03-17
“Vermont26 – 33.52018-04-18
“Average13.5 – 17.5
I-129FCalifornia6 – 82020-06-03
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont21.5 – 27.52018-10-17
“Average14 – 18
Date Checked: 2020-12-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California15 – 19.52019-05-17
“Nebraska7 – 92020-04-09
“Potomac11.5 – 14.52019-10-15
“Texas8 – 10.52020-02-23
“Vermont25 – 32.52018-04-27
“Average13.5 – 17
I-129FCalifornia7.5 – 9.52020-03-27
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont20.5 – 26.52018-10-26
“Average14 – 18
Date Checked: 2020-11-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California14 – 18.52019-05-25
“Nebraska7 – 9.52020-02-27
“Potomac11 – 14.52019-09-24
“Texas7.5 – 9.52020-02-13
“Vermont24 – 31.52018-04-26
“Average13 – 17
I-129FCalifornia6.5 – 82020-03-30
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont18.5 – 242019-01-29
“Average12.5 – 16
Date Checked: 2020-10-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California12 – 162019-07-14
“Nebraska6.5 – 8.52020-02-20
“Potomac10.5 – 13.52019-09-17
“Texas6.5 – 8.52021-02-21
“Vermont22 – 28.52018-06-15
“Average11.5 – 15
I-129FCalifornia5 – 72020-03-30
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont16.5 – 21.52019-01-29
“Average11 – 14
Date Checked: 2020-09-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California11 – 14.52019-07-24
“Nebraska6.5 – 8.52017-01-17
“Potomac9 – 11.52019-10-15
“Texas6 – 7.52020-01-13
“Vermont21 – 27.52018-06-25
“Average11 – 14
I-129FCalifornia5 – 72020-02-29
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont15.5 – 202019–01-29
“Average10 – 13.5
Date Checked: 2020-08-27
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California11 – 14.52019-06-23
“Nebraska6.5 – 8.52019-12-17
“Potomac9 – 11.52019-07-14
“Texas6 – 7.52020-01-13
“Vermont21 – 27.52018-05-25
“Average11 – 14
I-129FCalifornia5 – 72020-01-29
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont15.5 – 202018-12-29
“Average10 – 13.5
Date Checked: 2020-07-28
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130California5 – 72019-12-29
“Nebraska7 – 9.52019-10-27
“Potomac10 – 12.52019-07-17
“Texas4.5 – 72019-12-31
“Vermont20.5 – 26.52018-05-25
“Average9.4 – 12.5
I-129FCalifornia5 – 72019-12-28
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont14.5 – 192019-01-07
“Average10 – 13
Date Checked: 2020-06-28
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130Californianone shownnone shown
“Nebraska10.5 – 13.52019-05-26
“Potomac7 – 92019-10-02
“Texas6 – 82019-11-07
“Vermont19.5 – 252018-06-03
“Average11 – 14
I-129FCalifornia5 – 72019-11-29
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont13.5 – 17.52019-01-16
“Average9 – 12
Date Checked: 2020-05-22
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130Californianone shownnone shown
“Nebraska12.5 – 162019-01-30
“Potomac7 – 92019-08-27
“Texas5 – 72019-10-25
“Vermont17.5 – 22.52018-07-14
“Average10.5 – 13.5
I-129FCalifornia5 – 72019-10-23
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont17 – 22.52018-07-23
“Average11 – 15
Date Checked: 2020-04-23
FormUSCIS service centerEstimated time range (in months)Receipt date for a case inquiry
I-130Californianone shownnone shown
“Nebraska12.5 – 162018-12-31
“Potomac9 – 122019-05-07
“Texas7.5 – 9.52019-07-21
“Vermont16.5 – 212018-07-25
“Average11.5 – 14.5
I-129FCalifornia5 – 72019-09-30
“Nebraskanone shownnone shown
“Potomacnone shownnone shown
“Texasnone shownnone shown
“Vermont16 – 212018-08-09
“Average10.5 – 14

Table 2: Numbers of I-130s received, approved, denied, and pending at each service center

PeriodService CenterPetitions ReceivedApprovedDeniedPending
2021 Total—310,887221,29619,229—
Oct. – Dec. 2021California20,4188,97677258,660
“Nebraska19,50212,59879134,230
“Texas19,53611,60188674,887

“		Vermont21,4378,64039265,918
“Potomac19,69012,4594,74675,080
“Total80,16545,2986,815250,115
Jul. – Sept. 2021California19,9649,47362648,006
” Nebraska20,10114,08695726,814
” Texas20,10515,6981,13769,088
” Vermont20,2629,56049054,883
” Potomac20,16715,6331,06169,981
“Total80,63554,9773,645220,766
Apr. -Jun. 2021 California21,8774,98967538,231
” Nebraska21,96420,6051,26320,137
” Texas21,88812,8101,16866,601
” Vermont22,3108,04547544,270
” Potomac22,03513,2161,21567,387
“Total88,19754,6764,121198,395
Jan. -Mar. 2021 California10,9157,59596521,180
” Nebraska18,04521,1421,73619,812
” Texas18,73719,9431,11258,116
” Vermont11,07810,41388128,708
” Potomac14,02014,84791960,096
“Total61,88066,3454,648166,732
2020 Total—236,787239,14423,956—
Oct.-Dec. 2020California4,9246,26881816,427
”Nebraska12,47520,3111,80924,370
”Texas19,65316,5461,07763,422
”Vermont4,5806,57140025,803
”Potomac14,08311,4001,04162,577
“Total50,79154,8284,327176,172
Jul.-Sept. 2020California5,7327,6031.19616,832
”Nebraska16,15921,8163,01931,720
”Texas26,09016,82899960,008
”Vermont5,7056,65118827,453
”Potomac14,48213,1511,57559,317
“Total62,43658,4465,781178,498
Apr.-June 2020California3,98116,0042,97217,373
“Nebraska12,83223,7234,72939,942
“Texas17,07825,98170752,814
“Vermont4,1757,28915527,149
“Potomac11,31714,4581,20258,296
“Total62,43658,4465,781178,498
Jan.-Mar. 2020California7,5162,99961327,590
“Nebraska22,28521,5124,22062,060
“Texas28,62421,9541,66968,456
“Vermont7,9104,34611137,540
“Potomac19,3396,6071,05569,778
“Total78,15854,4197,055237,834
Oct.-Dec. 2019California(Data withheld)3,0055515,088
“Nebraska27,92322,2151,51194,925
“Texas41,41135,5771,99596,169
“Vermont2522871293,366
“Potomac19.0527,6781,20553,296
“Total69,60565,7574,840247,756

27 comments

  1. With the current COVID situation, what is the I-129f situation and are there any steps one can take to ensure a prompt processing?

    Reply

    1. Bukaz: You raise an important question. The processing times shown here report current processing times. But you are asking for a prediction about future processing times, which may be impacted by various factors, such as: (a) how will COVID-19 impact the number of applications/petitions submitted and the number of officers assigned to adjudicate them? (b) how will USCIS’ budgetary woes (Update: USCIS Cancels Employee Furlough, But Processing Delays Loom) impact processing times? (c) what priority is USCIS giving to this type of case now under the Trump administration, and how might that change if there were a Biden administration? Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball.

      Reply

  3. Hi
    My priority date is October 2019 for an I-130 in the F2A category (spouse or unmarried child of a permanent resident) filed at the California Service Center. The processing times posted by USCIS seem to increase every month.

    Thanks

    Reply

  4. Hi
    I’m a US citizen. I filed an I-130 for my spouse. The Texas Service Center received it May 7, 2019, but no decision has been made yet. What should I do?

    Reply

    1. Alysha: USCIS suggests: “We have posted a ‘Receipt date for a case inquiry’ … to show when you can inquire about your case. If your receipt date is before the ‘Receipt date for a case inquiry,’ you can submit an ‘outside normal processing time’ service request online.” You may also want to scheduled a consultation to have our firm review your I-130 for any issues that could potentially cause delay.

      Reply

  5. My receipt date on Form I-129F for K3 (spouse of U.S. citizen) is December 2019. It is already outside the normal processing time per USCIS website. I completed the Form for Outside Normal Processing Time, waited 1 month, no response. Are they really processing I129Fs?

    Reply

    2. Hello. USCIS sent a receipt notice of our I-129F K-1 Fiancé Visa on April 13, 2020.
      The last update on their website about our case is from April 15, 2020. (Current status: Case was receieved)
      Should we expect an update in the next 4 days as it will be 7months by that time?

      Reply

      1. PMC:

        Start by checking the status of your I-129F online. Find the receipt number on your receipt notice and then check the status here: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do.

        Assuming the status shows your case is still pending, you next should look at your receipt notice to identify which USCIS service center is handling your case. Then, you can look at the above table to identify the estimated processing time. Finally, if the receipt date for your I-129F is earlier than the “receipt date for a case inquiry,” you should file an inquiry with USCIS to check the status of your case. The inquiry can be made by phone to the USCIS Contact Center or by using the “Case Outside Normal Processing Time” e-Request form at https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do.

        Reply

    1. Lucky: USCIS has not assigned USCIS Texas, Potomac, or Nebraska Service Center to adjudicate I-129Fs. All I-129Fs are currently being adjudicated by the California and Vermont Service Centers.

      Reply

  9. Hola Abogado…

    Presenté dos formularios de I-130 para mis hijos menores de edad.En este caso mi petición es de primer órden??
    Que tiempo se podría demorar???
    Lo están procesando en en Centro de Servicios de Nebraska.
    Gracias…

    Reply

  10. Hello – Is there a way to determine whether the California or Vermont Service Center will process my I-129F? They both have drastically different processing times so I am just curious as to what factors will determine which service center processes the application. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

  11. Just to get this right, it is now taking 3 years to process I-130s through the Vermont Service Center?!? Really?? The “Receipt date for a case inquiry” is the full 39 months earlier. A year earlier it was 16 to 18 months (less than 1/2 the time). Did the people at the VSC just take a year’s vacation during Covid?

    Is there any type of “National Association of Immigration Attorneys”? Can’t you guys talk to someone in charge to say “Hey, what’s the problem here?”.

    Reply

    1. BH Jones: The first thing to realize is that the Trump administration policy was to slow legal immigration, and many tactics were used to that end, including slowing down I-130 processing times.

      The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is advocating strongly that the Biden administration restore reasonable processing times. For example, see America as a Welcoming Nation: A Roadmap, https://www.aila.org/advo-media/tools/ailastandswithdreamers-week-of-action/american-as-a-welcoming-nation-a-roadmap. And for more details, see Policy Brief: How USCIS Can Dismantle the Invisible Wall Slowing Case Adjudication, https://www.aila.org/advo-media/aila-policy-briefs/policy-brief-recommendations-for-how-uscis.

      Hopefully the Biden administration will take steps to turn around the trend of increasing processing times. Here is one policy statement by the administration: FACT SHEET: President Biden Outlines Steps to Reform Our Immigration System by Keeping Families Together, Addressing the Root Causes of Irregular Migration, and Streamlining the Legal Immigration System, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/02/fact-sheet-president-biden-outlines-steps-to-reform-our-immigration-system-by-keeping-families-together-addressing-the-root-causes-of-irregular-migration-and-streamlining-the-legal-immigration-syst/

      Reply

      1. Gary, thanks for the reply and the links.

        “The first thing to realize is that the Trump administration policy was to slow legal immigration, and many tactics were used to that end, including slowing down I-130 processing times.” Imagine your boss telling you to “work slower”.

        Reply

  12. Now that the I130 is taking so long at the california center, should I apply for K3 visa right after applying for I 130 ?

    Reply

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