USCIS Processing Times in 2025: What Adjustment of Status Applicants Can Expect

Adjustment of Status (AOS) allows certain immigrants already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the country. It’s a critical process, but it also comes with one of the biggest frustrations: waiting.

In 2025, many adjustment of status applicants are still facing processing times of several months. These delays can disrupt family plans, create work authorization gaps, and generate uncertainty about the future.

Keep reading for a breakdown of current USCIS timelines, the reasons they differ, and practical steps you can take to track your case and handle delays.

Current USCIS Processing Times in 2025

Processing times for Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, remain uneven in 2025. On average, most applicants can expect their cases to take several months to over a year, depending on category and location.

According to USCIS’s historic processing time reports:

• Family-based I-485s had a median processing time of 8.2 months in 2025.
• Employment-based I-485s were even faster, with a median of 7.1 months.
• Adjustments based on asylum (filed more than one year after grant) had a median of 10.2 months.
• Adjustments based on refugee admission (after one year) were slightly shorter, at 7.5 months.

These medians reflect a national picture. Local field office differences still matter — applicants in high-volume cities may wait longer than those in smaller jurisdictions.

What’s striking is the shift from prior years, where family- and employment-based adjustments often took 9 to 13 months or longer. In 2025, the medians show improvement, suggesting that staffing increases and efficiency measures may be paying off. Still, backlogs persist in certain categories and field offices, leaving some applicants waiting well beyond these averages.

Why Processing Times Vary

USCIS posts its most recent processing time estimates on the processing times tool. These estimates are updated monthly and vary significantly by field office. Several factors drive processing times:

• Field office workload. USCIS assigns cases based on where applicants live. Field offices in large metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, receive more applications and take longer to process them.
• Staffing levels. Even when more officers are hired, training takes time. Staffing shortages or turnover can leave offices shorthanded, slowing case progress.
• Visa availability. Adjustment of Status applicants cannot be approved until a visa number is available. Backlogs in family- and employment-based categories affect how quickly USCIS can finalize cases.
• Policy shifts and scrutiny. USCIS has increased its review of some instances, particularly marriage-based applications. Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and additional background checks add to wait times.
• These variables mean two applicants who file on the same day may still have very different experiences, depending on where they live and which category applies.

How to Track Your Case

While waiting, it’s essential to monitor your case status.

• USCIS Case Status Tool. Enter your receipt number at the case status portal for real-time updates.
• USCIS Online Account. Creating an account allows applicants to receive electronic notices, upload documents, and track their history in one place.
• Visa Bulletin. For those in categories with backlogs, tracking your priority date through the Visa Bulletin ensures you know when your case is eligible for final review.

It’s normal to see “Case Was Received” or “Case Is Being Actively Reviewed” for months at a time. These status messages do not mean nothing is happening. They reflect USCIS’s internal review process, which often spans months or longer.

What to Do if Your Case Is Delayed

Delays beyond the published processing time can be frustrating, but applicants do have options.

• Submit a service request. If your case is outside the normal range listed on the USCIS tool, you can file a service request online or by phone. This inquiry prompts USCIS to review the file and respond.
• Schedule an InfoPass appointment. When a case requires personal attention, applicants may schedule an in-person meeting at their local field office. This option is useful if you need clarification on case progress or must present urgent documentation.
• Request congressional assistance. Contacting your U.S. senator or representative can sometimes move a stalled case. Congressional offices have dedicated staff who liaise with USCIS.
• Seek help from the Ombudsman. The DHS Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman can step in when cases face prolonged, unexplained delays.

Finally, consider working with a qualified immigration attorney. A lawyer can identify whether a delay is routine or a sign of deeper issues, guide you on the best escalation path, and help you prepare strong responses if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence or denial.

Practical Tips to Avoid Extra Delays

While applicants cannot control USCIS processing speed, they can take steps to avoid preventable setbacks.

• Complete Form I-485 carefully. Missing signatures, incomplete answers, or outdated editions of the form cause rejections or RFEs.
• Submit all initial evidence. Submit all required evidence for Form I-485. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical exams, and financial documentation must be complete and accurate.
• Update your address promptly. Failing to update your address with USCIS can result in missed notices and rescheduled interviews.
• Attend appointments on time. Skipping biometrics or interviews without proper rescheduling creates lengthy setbacks.
• Respond quickly to USCIS requests. Submitting complete responses within the stated deadline avoids additional rounds of review.

These steps won’t make USCIS move faster, but they can keep your case on track. Just be mindful not to submit repeated inquiries while your case is still within normal processing times. Premature requests rarely help and can even create more delays.

How to Navigate the Waiting Game

Adjustment of Status is often described as a waiting game, and in 2025, that description still rings true. Processing times can stretch from a few to many months, depending on your case category and local field office. While you cannot control USCIS’s pace, you can take steps to keep your application on track: prepare your filing thoroughly, respond quickly to requests, and monitor your case status regularly.

Because USCIS applies immigration rules strictly, even small errors or omissions can add months to an already long process. Legal guidance helps applicants avoid these setbacks. An attorney can:

• Spot risks before you file, such as incomplete documentation or visa category backlogs.
• Ensure your application is accurate, consistent, and supported by the right evidence.
• Prepare you for biometrics and interviews so there are no surprises.
• Respond effectively if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence or your case stalls.

At Gendelberg Law, we work with clients to anticipate problems before they arise, strengthen their filings, and stay ahead of USCIS delays. Adjustment of Status may test your patience, but you don’t have to face it alone.

If you are ready to move forward with confidence, contact Gendelberg Law today. We’ll help you navigate the waiting game and keep your case moving in the right direction.