Form I-485 Processing Time And Application Timeline

The Form I-485 processing time varies based on the applicant’s category of adjustment and the USCIS field office processing the application. Although the steps involved in obtaining an adjustment of status are generally the same, the processing time for Form I-485 can vary significantly due to factors such as the eligibility, the current workload of the USCIS, and the completeness and accuracy of the application package.

Form I-485 Timeline & Process Steps

Upon the successful submission of Form I-485 to the USCIS, you can anticipate the following process steps and timeline required for the application process. Check our detailed guide on what’s next after filing I-485 Form.

  • Notice of Action: In 2-4 weeks after submitting Form I-485, you’ll receive your Notice of Action.
  • Notice of Biometric Services Appointment: In 5-8 weeks after submitting Form I-485, you’ll receive notice of your Biometric Services Appointment.
  • Biometric Services Appointment: In 5-8 weeks after submitting Form I-485, you’ll be scheduled your Biometric Services Appointment.
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card: In 14-20 weeks after filing Form I-485, you’ll receive your EAD card.
  • Notice of Interview: In 4-10 months after submitting Form I-485, you’ll receive notice of your Interview.
  • Adjustment of Status Interview: In 6-12 months after filing Form I-485, your Adjustment of Status Interview will be scheduled.
  • Receive Permanent Residence: In 8-14 months after filing Form I-485, you’ll receive green card holder status.

Note: The process steps and timeline mentioned above may vary depending on various factors such as your application status, individual circumstances, filing office, and workload of the USCIS.

RELATED ARTICLE: Find the direct filing address for I-485 Form

Different Categories & Its Processing Time For Form I-485

  • The average processing time for Form I-485 Employment-Based Applications is 5 to 51 months
  • The average processing time for Form I-485 Family-Based Applications is 12 to 40 months
  • The average processing time for Form I-485 (Asylum, Refugee & HRIFA) Applications is 21 to 40 months

Related Article: Check our comprehensive guide on the Form I-485 checklist

Below you can find the complete categories, service centers, and their processing time for the form I-485.

Employment-Based Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
California Service Center30 Months
Nebraska Service Center26.5 Months
Texas Service Center50.5 Months
Agana GU17 Months
Albany NY22 Months
Albuquerque NM25 Months
Anchorage AK10.5 Months
Atlanta GA23 Months
Baltimore MD25.5 Months
Boise ID16 Months
Boston MA19.5 Months
Brooklyn NY18 Months
Buffalo NY18.5 Months
Burlington VT16.5 Months
Charleston SC23.5 Months
Charlotte Amalie VI18 Months
Charlotte NC25 Months
Chicago IL22.5 Months
Christiansted VI22 Months
Cincinnati OH20 Months
Cleveland OH16.5 Months
Columbus OH20 Months
Dallas TX26 Months
Denver CO22 Months
Des Moines IA10.5 Months
Detroit MI21 Months
El Paso TX22 Months
Fort Myers FL22 Months
Fort Smith AR18.5 Months
Fresno CA19.5 Months
Greer SC14 Months
Harlingen TX8 Months
Hartford CT21 Months
Helena MT9.5 Months
Hialeah FL21.5 Months
Honolulu HI5 Months
Houston TX29 Months
Imperial CA13 Months
Indianapolis IN18 Months
Jacksonville FL18.5 Months
Kansas City MO20 Months
Kendall FL21.5 Months
Las Vegas NV21.5 Months
Lawrence MA22.5 Months
Long Island NY17.5 Months
Los Angeles CA20 Months
Los Angeles County CA18 Months
Louisville KY17 Months
Manchester NH21 Months
Memphis TN18.5 Months
Miami FL23.5 Months
Milwaukee WI18.5 Months
Minneapolis-St. Paul MN22.5 Months
Montgomery AL19 Months
Mount Laurel NJ20.5 Months
Nashville TN18.5 Months
Newark NJ22.5 Months
New Orleans LA23.5 Months
New York City NY18.5 Months
Norfolk VA26 Months
Oakland Park FL23 Months
Oklahoma City OK18.5 Months
Omaha NE24 Months
Orlando FL23 Months
Philadelphia PA18 Months
Phoenix AZ22.5 Months
Pittsburgh PA22 Months
Portland ME25.5 Months
Portland OR21 Months
Providence RI17 Months
Queens NY19 Months
Raleigh NC25 Months
Reno NV19.5 Months
Sacramento CA16 Months
Saint Louis MO18 Months
Salt Lake City UT19 Months
San Antonio TX24.5 Months
San Bernardino CA19.5 Months
San Diego CA18 Months
San Fernando Valley CA21 Months
San Francisco CA14.5 Months
San Jose CA19.5 Months
San Juan PR19.5 Months
Santa Ana CA18.5 Months
Seattle WA25 Months
Spokane WA15 Months
Tampa FL19.5 Months
Tucson AZ22 Months
Washington DC34 Months
West Palm Beach FL22.5 Months
Wichita KS18.5 Months
Yakima WA19.5 Months

Family-Based Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
Agana GU20.5 Months
Albany NY23 Months
Albuquerque NM20.5 Months
Anchorage AK17 Months
Atlanta GA38.5 Months
Baltimore MD28 Months
Boise ID19 Months
Boston MA20 Months
Brooklyn NY39 Months
Buffalo NY15.5 Months
Burlington VT16 Months
Charleston SC24.5 Months
Charlotte Amalie VI22 Months
Charlotte NC17.5 Months
Chicago IL21 Months
Christiansted VI15 Months
Cincinnati OH17.5 Months
Cleveland OH14.5 Months
Columbus OH15 Months
Dallas TX20 Months
Denver CO21.5 Months
Des Moines IA17 Months
Detroit MI13.5 Months
El Paso TX17.5 Months
Fort Myers FL19 Months
Fort Smith AR18.5 Months
Fresno CA15 Months
Greer SC17.5 Months
Harlingen TX15 Months
Hartford CT15.5 Months
Helena MT18.5 Months
Hialeah FL16.5 Months
Honolulu HI19 Months
Houston TX25 Months
Imperial CA13.5 Months
Indianapolis IN18 Months
Jacksonville FL20.5 Months
Kansas City MO16.5 Months
Kendall FL19 Months
Las Vegas NV32 Months
Lawrence MA15.5 Months
Long Island NY20.5 Months
Los Angeles CA17 Months
Los Angeles County CA14.5 Months
Louisville KY16.5 Months
Manchester NH17.5 Months
Memphis TN18 Months
Miami FL25 Months
Milwaukee WI18 Months
Minneapolis-St. Paul MN32.5 Months
Montgomery AL19.5 Months
Mount Laurel NJ20.5 Months
Nashville TN18 Months
Newark NJ28.5 Months
New Orleans LA26 Months
New York City NY16 Months
Norfolk VA16.5 Months
Oakland Park FL25 Months
Oklahoma City OK17.5 Months
Omaha NE31 Months
Orlando FL18 Months
Philadelphia PA19 Months
Phoenix AZ15 Months
Pittsburgh PA18 Months
Portland ME19 Months
Portland OR19.5 Months
Providence RI20 Months
Queens NY31 Months
Raleigh NC18 Months
Reno NV17.5 Months
Sacramento CA26.5 Months
Saint Louis MO12 Months
Salt Lake City UT40 Months
San Antonio TX16 Months
San Bernardino CA12.5 Months
San Diego CA15 Months
San Fernando Valley CA15.5 Months
San Francisco CA22.5 Months
San Jose CA16 Months
San Juan PR20 Months
Santa Ana CA15.5 Months
Seattle WA21 Months
Spokane WA29 Months
Tampa FL16 Months
Tucson AZ16.5 Months
Washington DC17 Months
West Palm Beach FL17 Months
Wichita KS18 Months
Yakima WA22.5 Months

Under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
Nebraska Service Center26.5 Months

Asylum-Based Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
Nebraska Service Center39 Months
Texas Service Center40 Months

Refugee-Based Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
Nebraska Service Center35.5 Months

Based on an approved T Visa Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
Vermont Service Center28.5 Months

Based on an approved U Visa Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
Nebraska Service Center21 Months
Vermont Service Center25 Months

Reasons for Form I-485 Application Delays

There are several reasons for the delay in processing your I-485 application form. The most common reasons are:

  • You have received a Request for Evidence (RFE), which is asking for additional information to support your submission of Form I-485.
  • The appointment for your biometrics has been rescheduled.
  • Your case has been transferred to a different USCIS Service Center.
  • There have been processing errors related to your Form I-485.
  • The USCIS may conduct additional checks and investigations related to your case.
  • You have changed your address, and it’s important to update it with USCIS.

Let Us Help You Finish Your I-485 Application Successfully

If you take the extra time and care to complete your Form I-485, you can minimize the processing time for your application. ImmigrationDirect helps optimize your I-485 Form processing time with our best approach. Our objective is to help you prepare an application that meets all eligibility requirements and is thoroughly documented, thereby reducing the likelihood of receiving Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or denials. Our customized online system process and lawyer consultation ensure USCIS approval of your application.

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