I-129 processing time

E - Treaty traders and investors

USCIS publishes 20–22.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

E3 - Specialty occupation workers from Australia

USCIS publishes 5–7.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases.”

H-1B - Specialty occupation - Change of status in the U.S.

USCIS publishes 10–11.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases.”

H-1B - Specialty occupation - Extension of stay in the U.S.

USCIS publishes 11.5–12.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases.”

H-1B - Specialty occupation - Visa to be issued abroad

USCIS publishes 11–13 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases.”

H-2A - Temporary agricultural workers - Named Beneficiary

USCIS publishes 2–4 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases. *** If you are a petitioner for an H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker and your Form I-129 has been pending longer than 15 days and you have not received a decision or a Request for Evidence, you may contact USCIS at (1-800) 375-5283 to inquire about your petition.”

H-2A - Temporary agricultural workers - Unnamed Beneficiary

USCIS publishes 2–4 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Since October 2025, H-2A petitioners seeking unnamed beneficiaries can electronically file an H-2A petition with USCIS after the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issues a notice of acceptance of the application for temporary labor certification (TLC) and before DOL approves a TLC. However, USCIS will not approve these petitions until after DOL has approved the corresponding TLC. This concurrent processing has contributed to longer H-2A petition processing times because USCIS must now wait until DOL approves the corresponding TLC before we can process the H-2A petition.”

H-2B - Temporary nonagricultural workers

USCIS publishes 4–8 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases.”

H-3 - Temporary trainees

USCIS publishes 17–19.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases.”

Intracompany transferees and blanket L

USCIS publishes 6.5–10.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases.”

O - Extraordinary ability

USCIS publishes 14.5–17.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

P - Athletes, artists, and entertainers

USCIS publishes 13–15 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

Q - Cultural exchange visitors

USCIS publishes 7–19.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS note for this category: “Processing time represents the number of elapsed days between the received date and the first adjudicative decision, which may include RFE response days. We do not include reopened cases.”

R - Religious occupation

USCIS publishes 9.5–12 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

TN - United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, formerly NAFTA) professional

USCIS publishes 4.5–7 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).

USCIS quarterly counts for I-129

Source: USCIS, "Number of Service-wide Forms by Quarter, Form Status, and Processing Time" (each quarter links to its file on uscis.gov). Fiscal years start October 1. "Withheld" means USCIS suppressed a small number.

National median by fiscal year

• Nonimmigrant Petition (Premium filed): 0.4 months in FY 2025, 0.6 months in FY 2026 (partial year, as published)
• Nonimmigrant Petition (non Premium filed): 3.5 months in FY 2025, 5.1 months in FY 2026 (partial year, as published)

Source: USCIS, Historical National Median Processing Time (in Months) for All USCIS Offices for Select Forms By Fiscal Year, Fiscal Year 2021 to 2026 (up to August 30, 2026). Recorded October 17, 2026.