USCIS Processing Time Information for our California Service Center Posted: October 19, 2008 The table shown below is intended to be a tool for customers to view our processing times. When applications and petitions are completed within our target timeframes, those timeframes will be shown (example: 3 months). If we are not meeting our target timeframes a date will be shown (example: April 16, 2008). The processing dates shown below represent the receipt dates of petitions and applications currently being processed by the USCIS Service Center. If the receipt date shown on your receipt notice is prior to the processing date shown below, you may call USCIS Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. We encourage you to check this page periodically before inquiring about your case. The processing dates are updated monthly. USCIS received a significant increase in the number of applications and petitions filed last year. In July and August of 2007, nearly 2.5 million applications and petitions of all types were received. This compares to 1.2 million applications and petitions received in the same time period last year. In fiscal year 2007, USCIS received 1.4 million applications for naturalization; nearly double the volume received the year before. USCIS is working to improve processes and focus increased resources, including hiring approximately 1,500 new employees, to address this workload. Last year's application surge did not impact USCIS offices evenly across the country. Although most offices have already processed cases received during the 2007 filing surge, a handful of offices will have a small percentage of their 2007 cases pending at the end of Fiscal Year 2008. That will result in processing times longer than the 10-12 month national average. USCIS will continue to shift resources to ensure that all local offices achieve the goal of five month processing times. We offer a variety of services after you file. For example, for most kinds of cases you can check the status of your case online. For more information about when and how to contact us, whether your case is outside our processing time or if there are other issues, please see our customer guide – Case Services - How do I... know what kind of services are available to me after I file my application or petition? Service Center Processing Dates for California Service Center as of: August 31, 2008 Form Title Classification or Basis for Filing Processing Timeframe I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card Initial issuance or replacement July 13, 2006 I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record Initial issuance or replacement of a Form I-94 May 03, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B - Specialty occupation - Visa to be issued abroad June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B - Specialty occupation - Change of status in the U.S. June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B - Specialty occupation - Extension of stay in the U.S. June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2A - Temporary workers June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2B - Other temporary workers 1 Month I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-3 - Temporary trainees June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker E - Treaty traders and investors June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker L - Intracompany transfers 2 Months I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Blanket L June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker O - Extraordinary ability June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker P - Athletes, artists, and entertainers June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Q - Cultural exchange visitors and exchange visitors participating in the Irish Peace process June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker R - Religious occupation June 19, 2008 I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker TN - North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professional June 19, 2008 I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-1/K-2 - Not yet married - fiance and/or dependent child 6 Months I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-3/K-4 - Already married - spouse and/or dependent child 6 Months I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 6 Months I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 April 01, 2003 I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 June 15, 2001 I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister May 30, 2001 I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 January 01, 2005 I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 February 08, 2005 I-131 Application for Travel Document All other applicants for advance parole November 04, 2007 I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal Readmission after deportation or removal 6 Months I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant All other special immigrants January 12, 2008 I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Employment-based adjustment applications June 12, 2006 I-526 Immigrant Petition By Alien Entrepreneur For use by an entrepreneur who wishes to immigrate to the United States October 16, 2007 I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change of status to H or L dependents May 29, 2008 I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change status to the F or M academic or vocational student categories May 29, 2008 I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change Status to the J exchange visitor category May 29, 2008 I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status All other change of status applications May 29, 2008 I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of stay for H and L dependents May 29, 2008 I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of Stay for F or M academic or vocational students May 29, 2008 I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of Stay for J exchange visitors May 29, 2008 I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status All other extension applications May 29, 2008 I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement Application for a waiver of the 2-year foreign residence requirement based on exceptional hardship or persecution August 18, 2007 I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (spouses of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents 6 Months I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student. [(c)(3)] 3 Months I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] June 19, 2008 I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)] 3 Months I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for Honduras/Nicaragua [(c)(19), (a)(12)] 3 Months I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for El Salvador [(c)(19)(a)(12)] 3 Months I-765 Application for Employment Authorization All other applications for employment authorization 3 Months I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits Voluntary departure under the family unity program April 14, 2007 I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition To request further action on an approved application or petition 6 Months I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (immigrant investors) April 17, 2007 I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (immigrant investors) based on PL107-273 September 10, 1997