I-140 Processing Time 2026
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers: how long USCIS takes, from its own quarterly data for Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3).
National median
Half of the cases USCIS completed in Apr–Jun 2026 took this long or less (national median). Your case may differ: offices and individual cases vary. Not legal advice.
Trend by quarter
National median in months for each USCIS fiscal-year quarter we have the report for (FY = October–September). “n/a” = USCIS no longer hosts that quarter’s report.
| Quarter | National median (months) |
|---|---|
| FY26 Q3 Apr–Jun 2026 | 3.9 |
| FY26 Q2 Jan–Mar 2026 | 3.4 |
| FY26 Q1 Oct–Dec 2025 | — |
| FY25 Q4 Jul–Sep 2025 | 6.4 |
Track your own case
Paste your receipt number to see which office has it, how old it is compared with this median, and the next steps. Free; without an account your cases stay in your browser.
Open the case tracker →What is Form I-140?
Form I-140 is the petition that establishes eligibility for an employment-based green card in the EB-1, EB-2 or EB-3 categories. Usually the employer files it after a PERM labor certification; EB-1 extraordinary ability and National Interest Waiver applicants can file for themselves.
Premium processing (Form I-907) is available for I-140, which shortens the time USCIS takes to act on the petition.
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers (uscis.gov)
What affects the processing time
- Whether premium processing was requested.
- Category (EB-1, EB-2 including NIW, EB-3) and the evidence needed to prove eligibility.
- The employer’s ability-to-pay evidence and the PERM labor certification.
- Requests for Evidence (RFE): the clock keeps running while you gather and mail the response, and the case waits for it.
- Which office has the case and how many cases are pending there; offices can differ a lot from the national median.
Typical steps
- Labor certification (most EB-2/EB-3)The employer gets a DOL-certified PERM labor certification first, unless exempt (e.g. EB-1, NIW, Schedule A).uscis.gov
- Receipt notice (I-797C)USCIS accepts the filing and mails/posts a receipt with your receipt number and received date.uscis.gov
- Premium processing (optional)With Form I-907, USCIS acts within 15 business days for most categories, 45 for EB-1C (E13) and NIW. The clock restarts after an RFE response.uscis.gov
- Request for Evidence (if needed)USCIS may ask for more documents. Answer by the deadline on the notice.
- ApprovalAn I-797 approval notice is issued.uscis.gov
- Next: I-485 or consular processingWhen the priority date is current, the worker files I-485 in the US or goes through a US consulate.uscis.gov
FAQ
How long does I-140 take in 2026?
In USCIS’s latest quarterly report (Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3)) the national median for I-140 was 3.9 months. Half of the cases completed in that quarter took longer, and your office may be faster or slower.
Is I-140 approval the same as getting a green card?
No. An approved I-140 is one step. The worker then files I-485 in the US (or goes through a consulate) when the priority date is current.
My case is taking longer than the median. What can I do?
Look up your form and office on USCIS’s official processing-times page. If your receipt date is earlier than the “receipt date for a case inquiry” it shows, you can ask USCIS about the case through e-Request. Answer any notices on time, and consider an attorney if something looks wrong.
Source
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, “Number of Service-wide Forms By Quarter, Form Status, and Processing Time”, Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2026 (FY2026 Q3), data queried 7/2026 (quarterly_all_forms_fy2026_q3_v1.xlsx).
- Download the report (uscis.gov)
- USCIS immigration and citizenship data
- Office-level processing times (egov.uscis.gov)
This page is rebuilt automatically when USCIS publishes a new quarter.