Understanding the Uscis Processing Time Texas Estimates
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a government agency that deals with legal immigration to the United States. Since March 1, 2003, this agency has processed countless applications from foreign-born individuals to legally live and work in the United States.
If you file an immigrant petition or application with USCIS, it will be processed with one of the five USCIS service centers (supported by field offices) or the National Benefits Center. Service center locations include the following:
- California Service Center
- Nebraska Service Center
- Potomac Service Center
- Texas Service Center
- Vermont Service Center
The service center that will process your service application or case depends on the type of application you submit, as well as the filing instructions for the immigration forms within that application. However, your area of residence may also be a factor. If you live in Vermont, for example, your case may or may not be processed by the Vermont Service Center and, instead, could be processed by the Texas Service Center if you submitted a form that is processed by the Texas Service Center.
Unfortunately, applicants must expect a fairly long wait after filing their immigration petition. This wait is known as the processing time, which can be defined as the estimated range of time for immigration officials to complete the procedures required for a person to receive a visa or become a permanent resident of the United States.
All USCIS offices have their standard processing times, and the local USCIS office in Texas is no different. However, the quality and completeness of your application or petition may influence the processing time of your unique case. That is why it is crucial that you hire a competent attorney from a reputable immigration law firm to ensure that all forms are filled out correctly and that the process runs as smoothly as possible.
Uscis Texas Service Center Processing Times
The processing times issued by the USCIS Texas Service Center can provide you or your immediate family members with an estimated time range of how long it would take to process a visa or adjustment of status application.
As mentioned above, the area of your USCIS service center depends on the filing instructions on the form you will be presented with and the type of form you are filing. USCIS service centers generally process cases on a first-come, first-served basis.
When filing your application for a green card, you must follow all instructions and requirements for that specific petition. Your application process should be uncomplicated, as that will limit your chances of obtaining your visa or significantly delay the process.
Current processing times can be accessed using this page on the USCIS website. Here are some tips to help you find your USCIS processing time:
- Make sure your USCIS receipt number begins with “SRC.” Your receipt date notice should have “Notice Action” on it.
- Identify your form number . The form number also acts as the purpose of your application.
- Identify the particular subtype for your application (this is not applicable in all cases).
- Identify the section titled “Now Processing Cases With Notice of Receipt Date”. If dated, the Texas Service Center is currently handling all forms filed prior to the date USCIS received your application.
Different cases have their normal processing times. However, if you have a unique case, you can talk to your attorney or consult someone at the service center to get a better idea of how long you can expect to wait for a decision. Also, if your case is taking longer than expected to process, you can submit a case inquiry with USCIS using their electronic application tool here .
Uscis Processing Time Information for the Texas Service Center
Different types of immigration forms can be filed to apply to live or work legally in the United States. Below are some of the forms currently processed by the Texas Service Center:
- Petition for Alien Relative
- Petition for Alien Fiancé(e).
- Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.
- Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission to the United States after Removal.
- Application for Application for Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status.
- Application for a travel document (such as a refugee travel document, advance parole travel document, or re-entry permit).
- Application for Family Unity Benefits.
- Refugee/asylee relative petition.
- Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status .
- Application for Employment Authorization
- Application for Temporary Protected Status
- Petition for a nonimmigrant worker (H-1B specialty occupation – visa to be issued abroad).
You can see a complete list of the service center that handles each of the common forms, petitions and applications here . Most of these applications and petitions have multiple USCIS service center bases for filing, so the normal processing time for a specific type of petition may vary depending on the office or service center handling your application.
Uscis I-485 Processing Time Texas
One of the most common of the above petitions is the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status . Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the process used to apply for green cards while applicants are already in the U.S., i.e., if they currently hold a nonimmigrant visa . To obtain an Adjustment of Status, you must file a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status.
This process is quite convenient because you do not need to return to your home country to complete your visa process. And even if your visa expires during the processing time, you can continue to legally remain in the U.S.
It is important to note that not all I-485 applications are processed at the USCIS Texas Service Center. All forms filed under HRIFA, the Indochina Adjustment Act, the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act or NACARA will be processed at the Nebraska Service Center.
The typical USCIS Service Center processing time for Form I-485, Adjustment of Status, depends on two factors:
If you are married to a U.S. citizen ( 8-14 months ).
If you are married to a green card holder (also known as a permanent resident) (29-38 months).
The timing also depends heavily on the location of the USCIS service center where you filed your application. AOS filing fees depend on age and whether your parents are also involved in the filing process. A good attorney-client relationship is very necessary for this, as your visa attorney can guide you through everything you need to know, from filing fees to requirements, etc.
Check the Status of Your Uscis Case
The USCIS case requires significant processing time. Normally, it is a lengthy process, but if you feel things are taking too long and you are unsure of the status of your petition/case, you can easily check online or by phone.
To check the status of your case over the phone, call 1-800-375-5283 and say “CHECK STATUS”. You will then be asked for your receipt number and notified of your status. But, as of 2018, USCIS no longer considers questions related to current cases. Therefore, if you want to ask specific legal questions, it is best to consult an attorney. This way, your case will be resolved faster.
Another easier way to check the status of your case is to access the USCIS website. All you have to do is enter your receipt number and press the Enter button.
Factors Affecting Uscis Texas Processing Time
Applying for a visa or green card is a delicate legal process that will require you to wait at least a couple of months. Several factors affect USCIS processing times, and some of them are:
- Your current area of current residence .
- The number of applications and petitions processed by USCIS in that period.
- How you completed the information on your form and whether your form was filed correctly.
- The status of your particular case.
- How many other applicants are involved in your case, particularly if you have an unmarried child under 21 or another dependent applying with you.
- Whether there is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident filing as a petitioner for the principal petitioner.
One factor that significantly affects USCIS processing times is the type of attorney you hire. A great attorney will guide you through the entire process and help you clearly understand the options available to you, which will help reduce your wait times. You will also benefit from your lawyer’s vast experience because he or she has handled many cases and has an in-depth knowledge of the processes.
How Can an Experienced Attorney Help?
When applying for a green card, you must be careful about several complex things. Dealing with everything on your own, all alone, can definitely be stressful. However, if you hire an experienced immigration lawyer, you will be free from several problems. In general, this is how a lawyer can help you.
An experienced attorney will help you understand what your eligibility status is, where your case stands, and what the process will look like based on the unique details of your case. Although the process is time consuming, with the help of an experienced attorney, you will be able to avoid mistakes in the application process. Thus, making things easy for the authorities will help you save time.
