I-485 processing time by month
Form I-485 is the application to register permanent residence or adjust status from inside the United States.[4] USCIS reports it in six groups; the table follows employment-based cases, and the comparison below covers all six. USCIS defines the figure as "the number of months it took for an application, petition, or request to be processed from receipt to completion," averaged over all cases completed in the month, and notes it "may differ from processing times reported on other USCIS.gov webpages."[1]
| Month | Received | Approved | Denied | Pending | Pending >6 mo | Avg. time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | 13,797 | 11,694 | 1,323 | 270,857 | 137,354 | 11.8 mo |
| Jul 2026 | 14,109 | 12,927 | 1,169 | 269,963 | 136,226 | 10.5 mo |
| Jun 2026 | 16,657 | 12,216 | 1,076 | 270,157 | 138,889 | 10.0 mo |
| May 2026 | 35,787 | 12,848 | 863 | 266,656 | 139,696 | 9.3 mo |
| Apr 2026 | 45,289 | 16,890 | 1,268 | 244,568 | 134,731 | 8.9 mo |
| Mar 2026 | 22,301 | 20,885 | 1,047 | 217,374 | 124,297 | 8.1 mo |
| Feb 2026 | 13,391 | 12,239 | 919 | 217,117 | 130,197 | 9.0 mo |
| Jan 2026 | 11,946 | 8,801 | 785 | 216,923 | 133,677 | 9.5 mo |
| Dec 2025 | 14,907 | 7,513 | 591 | 214,585 | 131,810 | 10.3 mo |
| Nov 2025 | 22,923 | 5,107 | 662 | 207,737 | 130,637 | 13.2 mo |
| Oct 2025 | 27,938 | 9,171 | 822 | 190,583 | 130,885 | 11.8 mo |
| Sep 2025 | 5,739 | 2,662 | 980 | 172,563 | 133,820 | 14.1 mo |
Since November 2022 the monthly average ranged from 8.1 mo (March 2026) to 25.3 mo (September 2024).[3]
Trend since Nov 2022
- I-485 family-based
- I-485 employment-based
- I-485 asylee
- I-485 refugee
I-485 processing time by category
Family-based and employment-based I-485s are decided at very different speeds, and refugee and asylee cases follow their own queues.[1]
| I-485 category | Aug 2026 | Aug 2025 | Pending | Pending >6 mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-485 family-based | 12.4 mo | 8.8 mo | 601,751 | 449,160 |
| I-485 employment-based | 11.8 mo | 9.5 mo | 270,857 | 137,354 |
| I-485 asylee | 29.9 mo | 14.9 mo | 138,562 | 109,605 |
| I-485 refugee | 16.3 mo | 8.5 mo | 157,877 | 126,850 |
| I-485 Cuban Adjustment Act | 20.6 mo | 11.7 mo | 355,520 | 345,741 |
| I-485 other | 22.1 mo | 19.8 mo | 77,774 | 56,614 |
When the Visa Bulletin is the real bottleneck
A preference-category I-485 cannot be approved until the applicant's priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date, however fast USCIS works.[6] Applicants who filed under the Dates for Filing chart often wait for the bulletin, not for USCIS. Check your date with the priority date calculator and this month's chart on the visa bulletin page. Family cases also depend on the I-130 processing time, and most applicants file a work permit request alongside the I-485 (see I-765 processing time).
Frequently asked questions
How long does I-485 take in 2026?
In August 2026, completed I-485s took 12.4 mo on average for family-based and 11.8 mo for employment-based cases, from receipt to decision.
Can I work while my I-485 is pending?
Yes, if you file Form I-765 and receive an employment authorization document. Many applicants file the I-765 together with the I-485.
Why is my I-485 taking longer than the average?
Common reasons are a priority date that is not yet current on the Final Action chart, requests for evidence, an interview requirement, background checks, or a busy field office.
Sources
- Number of Service-Wide Forms by Month, Form Status, and Processing Time: August 2026 (report to Congress, CSV)
- Number of Service-Wide Forms by Month, Form Status, and Processing Time: August 2025 (report to Congress, CSV)
- Number of Service-Wide Forms by Month, Form Status, and Processing Time: November 2022 (report to Congress, CSV)
- I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: November 2026
- Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
- Check Case Processing Times