USCIS · FORM I-600A
I-600A processing time
Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition. Below is every processing time USCIS publishes for this form, then USCIS's own quarterly counts.
U.S. citizen who plans to adopt a foreign-born child
USCIS publishes 9–12.5 months for this category, handled at National Benefits Center.
USCIS note for this category: “Some of the processing times calculated using this new method may appear significantly longer than before. This is because the new 80% completion method includes time where a petition is pending due to factors that are generally outside USCIS’ control. These factors may include the time it takes petitioners to respond to biometrics requests; to respond to a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny; or to submit an initial home study.”
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Benefits Center | 9–12.5 months | October 05, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
How USCIS describes these numbers: “We generally process cases in the order we receive them. This processing time is based on how long it took us to complete 80% of adjudicated cases over the past six months. Each case is unique, and some cases may take longer than others. Processing times should be used as a reference point, not an absolute measure of how long your case will take to be completed.”
Source: USCIS, Check Case Processing Times, published September 17, 2026; recorded by greencardline October 17, 2026. USCIS shows a range for most forms; what the range means and how the inquiry date is used are explained, with quotes from USCIS, in How USCIS processing times work.
National median by fiscal year
- U.S. citizen seeking suitability and eligibility determination who plans to adopt child from non-Convention country: 3.1 months in FY 2025, 3.6 months in FY 2026 (partial year, as published)
| Form | Form Description | Classification or Basis for Filing | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-600A | Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition | U.S. citizen seeking suitability and eligibility determination who plans to adopt child from non-Convention country | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.6 |
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.