Understanding USCIS Processing Times in 2025
A realistic look at current backlogs, processing trends, and how to estimate your adjudication date.
The Current Landscape
In 2025, USCIS processing times remain a mix of lightning speed (Premium) and frustrating lags (Regular). Understanding where you fit is key to managing expectations.
Premium Processing: The 15-Day Guarantee
For O-1 and EB-1 petitions with Premium Processing ($2,805), the 15-business-day clock is reliable.
- Approvals: Often come in 7-10 days.
- RFEs: Stop the clock. The clock resets (or resumes, depending on the specific form type logic) once the response is received.
Regular Processing: The Variable
Without Premium, timelines vary wildly by Service Center (Texas, Nebraska, Vermont, California).
- I-140 (EB-1A): 6 to 14 months.
- I-140 (NIW): 6 to 12 months.
- I-129 (O-1A): 2 to 4 months.
The "Visa Bulletin" Factor for EB-1
Even if your EB-1A I-140 is approved in 15 days, you cannot file for a Green Card (Adjustment of Status) unless your "Priority Date" is current in the Visa Bulletin.
- India/China: Retrogression is common in EB-1. Applicants often wait several years even after I-140 approval.
- Rest of World: Historically current or short wait times, but heavy demand in 2024/25 has introduced erratic cut-off dates.
Checking Your Status
Use the USCIS Case Status Online tool. However, for a more accurate estimate of when your case might be touched, check the Check Case Processing Times page, which updates monthly based on historical data from the last 6 months.
Conclusion
If you can afford it, Premium Processing is the only way to buy certainty. For Green Card steps (I-485), patience is the only option, as Premium is unavailable for most adjustment applications.