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Updated CIS Processing Times
June 7, 2007
CIS Processing Times – (For Chicago Based Petitioners and Applicants)
For the most up to date processing times, please visit the following link: egov.immigration.gov.
Form I-129 – Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker (which includes professionals/specialty occupation workers (H-1B visa*, etc), intracompany transferees, executives or managers (L visa), treaty traders/investors (E visa), and artists/performers (O, P visa), filed at the California Service Center. Processing time: 60 to 90 days. However, with the payment of an additional filing fee of $1,000.00, these petitions will undergo "premium processing" and adjudicated in 7 to 14 days. *Please note that H-1B and H-2B visa applications are no longer being accepted for the Fiscal year 2007 as the H-1B and H-2B caps have already been reached.
Form I-129F - Petition for out of country fiancé of U.S. citizen. This application is filed with the Nebraska Service Center but then transferred to the California Service Center for processing. Processing time: 3 to 6 months.
Form I-129F (K-3/4) Petition for overseas spouses (and children/step-children) of U.S. citizens whose I-130 petition remains pending (filed with National Benefits Center in Missouri via Chicago P.O. Box): 4 months.
Form I-130 - Petitions for out of country spouses or children (under 21) of U.S. citizens. This petition is filed with the Nebraska Service Center but then transferred to the California Service Center. Processing time: 4 to 6 months.
Form I-130 - Petitions for all other relatives of U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents. This petition is filed with the Nebraska Service Center but then transferred to the California Service Center. Processing time: 2-15 years, with petitions now being processed according to visa availability (although the "priority date" accorded will be the actual filing date).
Form I-131 - Application for Advance Parole Travel Document (to facilitate reentry into the U.S. if business or personal circumstances require travel outside the U.S. while adjustment application is pending with CIS Chicago): 90 days.
Form I-140 - Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (most often, petitions for workers who have obtained labor certifications from the U.S. Department of Labor or precertified occupations such as for Registered Nurses and Physical Therapists) filed with the Nebraska Service Center. Processing time: 3 to 14 months.
Form I-360 - Petition for Amerasian, Widow/Widowers of U.S. Citizens and Special Immigrants (including immigrant religious workers) filed at the Nebraska Service Center. Processing time: 6 to 8 months.
Please note that I-360, Self Petition for Battered Spouses of U.S. Citizens are filed with the CIS' Vermont Service Center (regardless of location of residence) and processing time is approximately 60 to 120 days.
Form I-485 - Application for Adjustment of Status (for various individuals already in the U.S., seeking permanent residence - including qualifying alien spouses of U.S. citizens) filed at the Chicago District Office. Interviews are typically being scheduled approximately 3 to 5 months from date of filing.
Please note that Employment Based I-495 Applications are filed at the Nebraska Service Center. Processing Time: 6 to 18 months.
Form I-539 - Application to Extend/Change Non-Immigrant Status (most often filed by tourists/visitors, B-1/B-2, and dependents of principal H, L, E, O, P and R visa holders seeking to extend their stays) filed at the Nebraska Service Center. Processing time: 90 to 180 days.
Form I-589 - Request for Asylum (for individuals not in deportation proceedings) filed at the Nebraska Service Center. Interviews at CIS Chicago Asylum Office are being scheduled approximately 30 to 60 days from the date of filing.
Form I-751 - Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (for alien spouses and children with conditional resident status, including joint filers and individuals seeking waivers) filed at the Nebraska Service Center. Processing time: 6 to18 months. NOTE: Where interviews for I-751 filers are deemed necessary by the CIS - particularly in waiver filing cases, interviews at CIS Chicago for this purpose are scheduled approximately 1to 2 years from the date of filing.
Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Document filed at the Chicago P.O. Box or the Nebraska Service Center. Processing time: 90 days.
Form N-400 - Application for Naturalization (Citizenship) filed at the Chicago District Office. Interviews are typically being scheduled approximately 3 to 6 months from the date of filing with oath ceremonies scheduled for 1-3 months thereafter.
Finally, if an inordinate amount of time has passed without your particular filing being attended to, it is imperative that follow up inquiries be made with the office in question.
Visit: Nebraska Service Center: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Visit: Chicago District Office: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Visit: National Benefits Center: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
PUBLISHED April 8, 2005 - "IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM"
UPDATED June 7, 2007
Copyright © 2005-2008, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois
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