Understanding Current Processing Times for U.S. Immigration Applications

Written By Lauren Pevehouse

The timeline for different immigration applications can vary dramatically. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you can check estimated processing times using their official tool. egov.uscis.gov+2USCIS+2
For example:

  • Family-based green cards for “immediate relatives” (spouses, parents of U.S. citizens) often have much shorter wait times than other categories. USAFacts+1

  • Some applications are facing severe backlogs. One source reports that in Q1 2025 the median processing time for Form I-90 (green card renewal/replacement) surged to 8.3 months vs. 0.8 in prior years. Newsweek
    What this means for you:

  • Always check current processing times at the start of your case and track them regularly.

  • Incomplete applications, missing documents, or country-of-origin quotas (Visa Bulletin delays) may add months or years. Boundless+1

  • At Twin Cities Immigration Law we help monitor timelines, advise when to file, and assist with responses to requests for evidence to minimize added delay.
    Bottom line: Be realistic about timeframes, stay proactive, and get legal support to keep the process moving.

Lauren Pevehouse
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How the Current Administration’s Immigration Policies Impact Your Case