The online application provides applicants with a better determinant for case-specific processing. Case status checks are available for applicants online. If the applicant incurs any delays with applications or misfiling, this process will be prolonged. If the EB-1 category is not current, there will be an extended amount of time to receive visa numbers. Applicants can check category status at the DOS Visa Bulletin. These times are only available if the EB-1 category is current. Once the EB-1 has been approved, the government takes about 6 months to issue permanent residence.
Generally, the government processing time for the EB-1 Visa is about 8 months. The USCIS reports the most current EB-1 processing times. Information pertaining to the appropriate processing facility can be found at the USCIS website. Unfortunately, applicants cannot choose service centers as USCIS has predetermined filing locations dependent on the applicant’s intended state of employment and the jurisdiction of the service centers. On average, the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) and the Texas Service Center (TSC) have similar processing times however, the NSC is known for delayed processing times. Processing times vary between the different service centers where the immigration petition and supporting documents may be filed.įiling times vary based on whether the applicant shall be filing hard copies or whether the application shall be e-filed and ultimately whether the applicant will be requesting premium processing.Į-filing the application and supporting documents will allow USCIS to automatically reroute the documents to the appropriate service center based on the applicant’s intended state of employment. If filed by an employer, it must demonstrate that employer’s continuing ability to pay you the agreed wage as of the priority date.Īpplicants for the EB-1 category need to file an I-140 Immigrant Petition and supporting evidence with the appropriate service center. I-140 Petition for Immigrant Workersįor all EB-1 visa applications, the first thing is for the petitioner to file an I-140 Petition for Immigrant Workers with the USCIS. Whether you have a sponsoring employer or you are self-petitioning, the next step will be to file the I-140. For the other two categories, you must first get an employer who is willing to sponsor your visa. If you qualify for the EB-1A for extraordinary ability, you can self-petition for your visa, meaning you don’t need a job offer from a U.S.
The EB-1 green card application involves various steps that will amount to the overall processing time depending on the subcategory you are pursuing. EB-1 Green Card Application Steps and Processing Times If you are considering downgrading your petition from EB-2 to EB-3, read THIS ARTICLE. IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Priority Dates in EB-3 India category had a significant forward movement in 2020, putting it ahead of the EB-2 India category since the August 2020 visa bulletin. Because the processing time depends on so many different factors, it is important to know what may cause delays for your EB-1. Its main advantage lies in the fact that the wait time is usually much shorter than that of other green cards. The EB-1 is the most prestigious employment-based green card available.