Current receipt, approval, denial, and processing time data for forms relevant to employment-based self-petitioners.
A quick reference before the numbers, in case you are not deep into USCIS form names yet.
The underlying petition that establishes your eligibility for an employment-based green card category, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, EB-2 with a job offer, or EB-3. Approval of this form sets your priority date.
The actual green card application, filed once your I-140 is approved and your priority date is current. This dashboard tracks the Employment and Family versions separately, since their queues differ.
Requests a work permit (EAD card). Most I-485 applicants file this alongside their green card application so they can legally work while the I-485 is pending.
Requests advance parole, permission to travel internationally and re-enter the U.S. while your I-485 is pending, without abandoning your application.
Filed after holding a green card for the required period, typically 5 years, to become a U.S. citizen. Included here since many self-petitioners eventually file this too.
Only applies to conditional green card holders, typically through marriage. Included in USCIS service-wide data but less relevant to most employment-based self-petitioners.
Average processing times from the USCIS monthly report.
Most current data available per form.
Mean is pulled higher by stuck cases. The gap signals how many cases are delayed well beyond normal.
A unique metric showing how many cases are stuck well beyond normal processing.
The 3.4 month median means most petitions adjudicate within a quarter. The bottleneck for most applicants is the visa queue that follows approval, not the I-140 itself.
The 4.9 month median looks manageable, but the 10.5 month mean and 136,226 cases stuck over 6 months reveal a bimodal split. Your wait depends on your priority date, not USCIS speed.
With a 6.5 month median and 375,024 pending, apply for advance parole as early as possible. Do not plan travel around receiving it within 3 months.
778,489 pending cases with 62% stuck over 6 months signals a growing backlog. File as early as eligible if citizenship timing matters.