Form I-485 Processing Time And Application Timeline

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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 Center20.5 Months
Nebraska Service Center38.5 Months
Texas Service Center64.5 Months
Agana GU9 Months
Albany NY11 Months
Albuquerque NM31.5 Months
Anchorage AK11.5 Months
Atlanta GA26 Months
Baltimore MD34 Months
Boise ID9.5 Months
Boston MA22 Months
Brooklyn NY15 Months
Buffalo NY9.5 Months
Burlington VT11.5 Months
Charleston SC37.5 Months
Charlotte Amalie VI9 Months
Charlotte NC42.5 Months
Chicago IL15 Months
Christiansted VI20.5 Months
Cincinnati OH9.5 Months
Cleveland OH9.5 Months
Columbus OH9 Months
Dallas TX30 Months
Denver CO26.5 Months
Des Moines IA24 Months
Detroit MI19 Months
El Paso TX22 Months
Fort Myers FL28.5 Months
Fort Smith AR9.5 Months
Fresno CA10.5 Months
Greer SC17.5 Months
Harlingen TX20.5 Months
Hartford CT13 Months
Helena MT33 Months
Hialeah FL13 Months
Honolulu HI28.5 Months
Houston TX33 Months
Imperial CA23 Months
Indianapolis IN10.5 Months
Jacksonville FL19 Months
Kansas City MO23.5 Months
Kendall FL18 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 GU16 Months
Albany NY19.5 Months
Albuquerque NM14.5 Months
Anchorage AK15 Months
Atlanta GA24.5 Months
Baltimore MD24.5 Months
Boise ID15.5 Months
Boston MA15 Months
Brooklyn NY21.5 Months
Buffalo NY13.5 Months
Burlington VT8.5 Months
Charleston SC21 Months
Charlotte Amalie VI18 Months
Charlotte NC18 Months
Chicago IL18.5 Months
Christiansted VI17 Months
Cincinnati OH15 Months
Cleveland OH13.5 Months
Columbus OH13.5 Months
Dallas TX16 Months
Denver CO18.5 Months
Des Moines IA18 Months
Detroit MI14.5 Months
El Paso TX15 Months
Fort Myers FL21.5 Months
Fort Smith AR12.5 Months
Fresno CA15.5 Months
Greer SC15 Months
Harlingen TX19 Months
Hartford CT15.5 Months
Helena MT16 Months
Hialeah FL15 Months
Honolulu HI15.5 Months
Houston TX16 Months
Imperial CA12 Months
Indianapolis IN20 Months
Jacksonville FL21 Months
Kansas City MO19 Months
Kendall FL17.5 Months
Las Vegas NV19.5 Months
Lawrence MA13.5 Months
Long Island NY15.5 Months
Los Angeles CA14.5 Months
Los Angeles County CA12 Months
Louisville KY14.5 Months
Manchester NH12 Months
Memphis TN21 Months
Miami FL33 Months
Milwaukee WI16.5 Months
Minneapolis-St. Paul MN18.5 Months
Montgomery AL16.5 Months
Mount Laurel NJ16 Months
Nashville TN21.5 Months
Newark NJ18 Months
New Orleans LA27 Months
New York City NY18 Months
Norfolk VA27 Months
Oakland Park FL17 Months
Oklahoma City OK15 Months
Omaha NE20 Months
Orlando FL18.5 Months
Philadelphia PA15.5 Months
Phoenix AZ17 Months
Pittsburgh PA13.5 Months
Portland ME14 Months
Portland OR16.5 Months
Providence RI15.5 Months
Queens NY18 Months
Raleigh NC27.5 Months
Reno NV15.5 Months
Sacramento CA20 Months
Saint Louis MO14 Months
Salt Lake City UT29.5 Months
San Antonio TX17.5 Months
San Bernardino CA14.5 Months
San Diego CA19 Months
San Fernando Valley CA13.5 Months
San Francisco CA18 Months
San Jose CA13.5 Months
San Juan PR18 Months
Santa Ana CA15 Months
Seattle WA15.5 Months
Spokane WA14.5 Months
Tampa FL17 Months
Tucson AZ10.5 Months
Washington DC24 Months
West Palm Beach FL16.5 Months
Wichita KS14.5 Months
Yakima WA15.5 Months

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

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
Nebraska Service CenterGet information through the USCIS eRequest Service Tool online (egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do) or by calling the USCIS Contact Center

Asylum-Based Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
All Field Offices32.5 Months

Refugee-Based Form I-485 Processing Time

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
All Field Offices31 Months

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

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

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

Field Office or Service CenterProcessing Time
Nebraska Service Center21 Months
Vermont Service Center28.5 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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