USCIS · FORM I-821D
I-821D processing time
Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Below is every processing time USCIS publishes for this form, then USCIS's own quarterly counts.
Renewal
USCIS publishes 7–3.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
USCIS note for this category: “While processing times may be lower than posted due to system-based processing advancements, many cases require additional review and processing. The posted processing time and inquiry date are a more reasonable approximation for purposes of setting expectations for the public. If your case has been pending more than 105 days, you can submit a “Case outside normal processing time” service request inquiry online using https://www.uscis.gov/e-request. Form I-821D is not listed in the menu options, so use your Form I-765 receipt number to submit the request.”
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 7–3.5 months | July 04, 2026 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Request for Deferred Action
USCIS note for this category: “Consistent with the July 16, 2021, order from the Southern District of Texas that prohibits DHS from granting initial DACA requests, we are not calculating processing times for initial DACA requests. See https://www.uscis.gov/DACADecisionStateofTexas”
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | null learn more. | — | March 2026 to August 2026 |
How USCIS describes these numbers: “We generally process cases in the order we receive them. This processing time is based on how long it took us to complete 80% of adjudicated cases over the past six months. Each case is unique, and some cases may take longer than others. Processing times should be used as a reference point, not an absolute measure of how long your case will take to be completed.”
Source: USCIS, Check Case Processing Times, published September 17, 2026; recorded by greencardline October 17, 2026. USCIS shows a range for most forms; what the range means and how the inquiry date is used are explained, with quotes from USCIS, in How USCIS processing times work.
USCIS quarterly counts for I-821D
| Quarter | Received | Approved | Denied | Pending | Processing time (months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 Q1 | 72,120 | 63,180 | 324 | 154,872 | 1.8082172 |
| FY2024 Q3 | 60,455 | 72,069 | 406 | 139,653 | 1.8082172 |
| FY2024 Q4 | 51,813 | 71,774 | 683 | 119,291 | 1.8739705 |
| FY2025 Q1 | 72,159 | 69,392 | 483 | 121,328 | 0.4 |
| FY2025 Q2 | 93,320 | 75,538 | 370 | 138,744 | 0.8 |
| FY2025 Q3 | 68,416 | 76,494 | 511 | 130,207 | 0.8 |
| FY2025 Q4 | 64,795 | 64,279 | 749 | 130,064 | 0.4 |
| FY2026 Q2 | 84,857 | 18,220 | 418 | 223,522 | 3.9 |
| FY2026 Q3 | 81,975 | 76,158 | 471 | 228,969 | 4.1 |
Source: USCIS, "Number of Service-wide Forms by Quarter, Form Status, and Processing Time" (each quarter links to its file on uscis.gov). Fiscal years start October 1. "Withheld" means USCIS suppressed a small number.
National median by fiscal year
- Request for Renewal of Deferred Action: 0.5 months in FY 2025, 3.7 months in FY 2026 (partial year, as published)
| Form | Form Description | Classification or Basis for Filing | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-821D | Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals | Request for Initial Deferred Action | 5.9 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| I-821D | Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals | Request for Renewal of Deferred Action | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 3.7 |
Source: USCIS, Historical National Median Processing Time (in Months) for All USCIS Offices for Select Forms By Fiscal Year, Fiscal Year 2021 to 2026 (up to August 30, 2026). Recorded October 17, 2026.