USCIS · FORM I-918
I-918 processing time
Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status. Below is every processing time USCIS publishes for this form, then USCIS's own quarterly counts.
Petition for a noncitizen who is a victim of qualifying criminal activity, and their qualifying family members (Time from Initial Filing to Bona Fide Determination (BFD) Review)
USCIS publishes 21.5–27.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
USCIS note for this category: “The posted processing time range reflects the time from receipt to issuance of either a bona fide determination notice or a notice that we will consider the petition for waiting list placement. It does not reflect the current processing times from initial receipt to the final issuance of U nonimmigrant status. If you have not already submitted your Form I-765 with your initial Form I-918, Petition for U nonimmigrant status, please file the Form I-765 now, following the guidance on the Form I-918 page. You will not receive employment authorization based on a bona fide determination if you do not file Form I-765.”
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 21.5–27.5 months | July 13, 2024 | 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-918
| Quarter | Received | Approved | Denied | Pending | Processing time (months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 Q1 | 12,851 | 4,730 | 1,108 | 354,487 | 43.068446 |
| FY2024 Q3 | 19,109 | 5,099 | 2,050 | 381,677 | 55.9232264 |
| FY2024 Q4 | 18,164 | 1,055 | 2,260 | 396,963 | 43.1013226 |
| FY2025 Q1 | 19,986 | 4,086 | 1,531 | 409,196 | 32.9 |
| FY2025 Q2 | 11,344 | 4,346 | 1,769 | 412,815 | 27 |
| FY2025 Q3 | 137 | 4,741 | 1,711 | 415,881 | 18.6 |
| FY2025 Q4 | 7,450 | 3,790 | 2,032 | 421,782 | 14.9 |
| FY2026 Q2 | 16,256 | 4,258 | 2,429 | 461,200 | 15.2 |
| FY2026 Q3 | 15,170 | 4,476 | 2,039 | 480,114 | 15.2 |
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.