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Now Available: AILA's Focus on Immigration Practice Under AC21
Written by Eleanor Pelta and A. James Vázquez-Azpiri
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Immigration Processing Times
Depending upon the nature of the immigration matter, an application might be pending at one of various government offices. Below are links to official government internet sites containing the most recent processing times.
PLEASE NOTE: The current processing dates typically indicate that the government agency is beginning to process applications received on or before that date. The processing dates do not mean that all applications received earlier have already been adjudicated. In addition, at each agency there can be significant variations in the processing time for an individual application, depending upon the workflow of the particular analyst handling the matter. Accordingly, please view these processing dates as general guidelines, and use caution when making time-sensitive plans based on this information.
U.S. Department of Labor
- Labor Certification Processing Times
U.S. Department of Labor and State Workforce Agencies handle RIR and standard permanent labor certification applications and H-2B temporary labor certification applications.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly INS)
- Online Case Status
The status of applications already filed with the USCIS can be confirmed through the USCIS Case Status Search Page. You will need your BCIS receipt number, a 13-character code located on the official I-797 receipt notice and related official correspondence. - Processing Times by Service Center and District Office
U.S. Department of State
AR-11 and Change of Address
With few exceptions, all foreign nationals in the United States for more than thirty days are required to report a change of address within 10 days of relocating by filing Form AR-11 with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). This rule applies to all foreign nationals age 14 or over, whether in the United States temporarily or permanently, except for those in "A" or "G" visa status. Failure to file the Form AR-11 could subject the foreign national to removal from the United States, and could also jeopardize the person's ability to obtain future immigration benefits.
Official instructions on filing the Form AR-11 can be found on the USCIS website.
Though it is not a requirement, we recommend that the Form AR-11 be submitted by certified mail or some method that provides a receipt or confirmation of delivery. If you are a client of ours, we ask that you please forward us a copy of the completed AR-11 for your file.
Special Registration and NSEERS
The National Security Entry-Exit Security System (NSEERS) requires males who are 16 years of age and older, and who are citizens and nationals of specified countries, to comply with special registration requirements when entering and departing the United States.
Get official information on the NSEERS program from the ICE website.
Individuals who were registered upon admission at the port of entry must comply with additional requirements, including:
- a 30-day interview
- a one-year interview
- notification of any change in address, employer, or school
- registered departure from a designated port