Form I-140 Processing Time in September 2026: Current Wait Times

The I-140 processing time in September 2026 varies significantly by employment-based category. The latest category-level USCIS processing data available for September shows published ranges from about 2.5 months to 34.5 months, depending on the type of I-140 petition. USCIS also updates its processing-time information monthly, so applicants should use the live USCIS processing-time tool for the latest case-specific reference.

Premium processing is much faster for eligible I-140 categories, with USCIS providing a 15-business-day timeframe for several classifications and 45 business days for EB-1 multinational executives and managers and EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases. Premium processing means USCIS must take qualifying action within the applicable period; it does not guarantee approval.

The most important point is that an I-140 approval is only one stage of an employment-based green-card case. Priority dates, visa availability, and the later adjustment-of-status or consular-processing stage can add significant time after the petition is approved.

To eliminate errors and optimize your petition strategy through every milestone, applicants can hire our specialized agency to get professional assistance with Form I-140 for complete compliance and review.

What Is Form I-140?

Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, is used for many employment-based immigrant classifications. Depending on the category, it may be filed by a U.S. employer or, for certain classifications such as EB-1A extraordinary ability and EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases, by the beneficiary or another qualifying petitioner.

The form covers employment-based classifications including:

• EB-1 extraordinary ability
• EB-1 outstanding professors and researchers
• EB-1 multinational executives and managers
• EB-2 advanced-degree or exceptional-ability cases
• EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases
• EB-3 skilled workers
• EB-3 professionals
• EB-3 other workers

The exact eligibility and filing requirements depend on the classification being requested.

I-140 Processing Time in September 2026

There is no single USCIS I-140 processing time that applies to every petition.

USCIS explains that its published processing time represents the time it took to complete 80% of adjudicated cases over the preceding six months. It is a reference point, not a promise that an individual case will be decided within that period. USCIS also says processing can vary because of factors such as workload, staffing, the volume of cases received, responses to requests for additional information, and operational or policy changes.

As of September 2026, the latest category-level USCIS processing data independently available from USCIS’s published processing-time records is dated August 17, 2026. Those records show the following ranges:

I-140 Category	Latest published processing range	Classification
EB-2 advanced degree/exceptional ability	2.5-7.5 months	E21, non-NIW
EB-3 skilled worker/professional	4-8.5 months	E31/E32
EB-3 other workers	7.5-12.5 months	EW3
EB-1 outstanding professor/researcher	15.5-19 months	E12
Schedule A nurses	24.5-26 months	NUR
EB-1 multinational executive/manager	27-29 months	E13
EB-2 National Interest Waiver	29-32 months	E21 NIW
EB-1 extraordinary ability	31-34.5 months	E11

These are category-level figures derived from USCIS processing-time publications, rather than estimates for an individual applicant. The published USCIS data shows why saying that “I-140 takes X months” can be misleading.

Important: USCIS’s live processing-time tool should be checked before making a filing decision because the agency updates its processing information monthly, and the figures can change.

Why are the ranges so different?

The processing-time difference is partly driven by the specific classification being adjudicated. For example, the latest published range for a standard EB-2 E21 petition was 2.5-7.5 months, while the published range for EB-2 NIW was 29-32 months. These are different I-140 classifications and should not be treated as interchangeable.

The same principle applies to EB-1. USCIS-published data showed different ranges for EB-1A extraordinary ability, EB-1B outstanding professors and researchers, and EB-1C multinational executives and managers.

I-140 Processing Time by Employment-Based Category

• EB-1 I-140 Processing Time

EB-1 includes several distinct classifications, and their processing times are not necessarily the same.

• EB-1A extraordinary ability: The latest published USCIS-derived range available for September 2026 was 31-34.5 months.
• EB-1B outstanding professor or researcher: The published range was 15.5-19 months.
• EB-1C multinational executive or manager: The published range was 27-29 months.

These figures are for the I-140 petition itself. They do not represent the total time required to obtain permanent residence.

• EB-2 I-140 Processing Time

EB-2 covers professionals with advanced degrees and individuals with exceptional ability. The latest published range for the standard E21 classification was 2.5-7.5 months.

EB-2 NIW is different. The National Interest Waiver allows qualifying applicants to seek an exemption from the normal job-offer and labor-certification requirements. USCIS’s latest published range for the NIW classification was 29-32 months.

This large difference is one reason applicants should always select the precise I-140 classification when checking processing times.

• EB-3 I-140 Processing Time

The EB-3 category includes skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.

The latest published USCIS-derived range for EB-3 skilled workers and professionals was 4-8.5 months. For EB-3 other workers, the published range was 7.5-12.5 months.

Applicants should not assume that all EB-3 cases have the same processing time simply because they fall under the same broad employment-based preference category.

I-140 Premium Processing Time in September 2026

Premium processing is an optional expedited service requested using Form I-907. It is available only for classifications designated by USCIS.

For Form I-140, USCIS currently provides these premium-processing timeframes:

I-140 Classification	Premium Processing Timeframe
EB-1 extraordinary ability (E11)	15 business days
EB-1 outstanding professor/researcher (E12)	15 business days
EB-2 non-NIW (E21)	15 business days
EB-3 skilled worker/professional (E31/E32)	15 business days
EB-3 other workers (EW3)	15 business days
EB-1 multinational executive/manager (E13)	45 business days
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (E21 NIW)	45 business days

 

The applicable premium-processing timeframe begins after USCIS receives a properly completed Form I-907 at the correct filing location.

Does premium processing guarantee approval?

No. Premium processing guarantees that USCIS will take a qualifying adjudicative action within the applicable timeframe. That action can include an approval, denial, Request for Evidence (RFE), Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), or another qualifying action.

Premium processing speeds up USCIS adjudication; it does not guarantee approval.

What happens if USCIS issues an RFE?

An RFE can change the premium-processing timeline. USCIS states that when additional evidence or a response to a NOID is required, the applicable premium-processing period stops and resets after USCIS receives the response.

That means a case filed with premium processing should not be understood as an automatic approval within 15 or 45 business days.

Regular I-140 vs Premium Processing

 

Feature	Regular Processing	Premium Processing
Main form	Form I-140	Form I-140 + Form I-907
Speed	Depends on classification and USCIS workload	15 or 45 business days, depending on classification
Additional service	No	Yes
Eligibility	Depends on I-140 classification	Only designated classifications
Approval guaranteed?	No	No
RFE possible?	Yes	Yes
Does it speed up visa availability?	No	No

 

Premium processing affects the I-140 adjudication, not the Visa Bulletin or availability of an immigrant visa number.

What Factors Affect I-140 Processing Time?

Several factors can influence how long an I-140 takes:

1. I-140 classification

The published September 2026 data shows major differences between classifications. An EB-2 NIW case, for example, has a substantially different published timeline from a standard EB-2 E21 petition.

2. USCIS workload

USCIS says processing times can be affected by the number of cases received, workload and staffing allocations, and operational changes.

3. Case complexity

A petition requiring closer review or additional evidence may take longer than a straightforward case.

4. Completeness of the filing

A deficient filing can create additional problems or result in rejection. USCIS’s I-140 instructions state that a petition must be properly completed and accompanied by the required fee before it is considered properly filed.

5. RFE or NOID

An RFE or NOID adds another step because the petitioner must prepare and submit a response before USCIS can continue toward a final decision.

6. Premium vs regular processing

Using premium processing can substantially shorten the adjudication timeframe for eligible classifications, but it does not eliminate the possibility of an RFE or denial.

How Long Does I-140 Take After Filing?

After USCIS receives the petition, the general sequence is:

1. USCIS receives the Form I-140 filing.
2. USCIS issues a receipt notice after accepting the filing.
3. The petition enters adjudication.
4. USCIS may approve or deny the petition.
5. USCIS may instead issue an RFE or NOID.
6. If additional information is requested, the petitioner submits a response.
7. USCIS completes adjudication and sends a decision.

The receipt date is particularly useful when comparing an individual case against the current USCIS processing-time information. USCIS’s processing-time system uses the received date and other case information to determine whether a case may be eligible for an inquiry.

What Happens After I-140 Approval?

An approved I-140 does not automatically grant permanent residence.

USCIS describes I-140 approval as the first step toward permanent residence. After approval, the beneficiary still needs to satisfy the requirements for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status.

The next stage can involve:

• A current priority date
• Visa-number availability
• Form I-485 adjustment of status, if eligible
• Consular processing for applicants completing the immigrant-visa process abroad

The exact path depends on the applicant’s circumstances and whether an immigrant visa is available.

Does I-140 Processing Time Affect the Green Card Timeline?

Yes, but I-140 processing is only one part of the overall employment-based immigration timeline.

A simplified sequence looks like this:

Stage	What Happens	Does I-140 approval complete it?
Labor certification, where required	Employer completes required labor-certification process	NO
I-140	USCIS decides the immigrant petition	NO
Priority date	Determines the applicant’s place in the employment-based queue	NO
Visa availability	An immigrant visa number becomes available under applicable rules	NO
I-485 or consular processing	Applicant completes the permanent-residence stage	NO
Green card	Permanent resident status is granted	Final Outcome

 

For some employment-based applicants, Form I-485 may be filed while the I-140 remains pending if a visa is immediately available and the applicable requirements are met. 

USCIS instructions state that when a visa is immediately available, an eligible employment-based applicant may file Form I-485 together with the I-140 while the I-140 is pending or after approval.

I-140 Processing Time vs Visa Bulletin

I-140 processing time and visa availability are two different timelines.

The I-140 processing time answers: How long might USCIS take to adjudicate my immigrant petition?

The Visa Bulletin answers a different question: Is an immigrant visa number available for my employment-based category and priority date?

For September 2026, the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin lists employment-based Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing that vary by preference category and country of chargeability. For example, the September Final Action Date for EB-1 is October 15, 2022 for India, while EB-2 for India is listed as U for September. EB-3 for India has a Final Action Date of January 1, 2014.

The September bulletin also warns that some employment-based categories could retrogress or become unavailable if demand increases before the end of fiscal year 2026.

This means an approved I-140 does not necessarily mean that an applicant can immediately receive an immigrant visa or complete the green-card process.

How to Check Your I-140 Processing Time

To check the current processing time for your case:

1. Find the Form I-140 category on your receipt or filing documents.
2. Identify the USCIS office information relevant to the case.
3. Open the USCIS Case Processing Times tool.
4. Select Form I-140 and the applicable classification.
5. Compare the published processing information with your receipt date.
6. Use the USCIS Case Status Online tool to check the individual case.
7. If the processing-time tool indicates that an inquiry is available, follow USCIS’s case-inquiry instructions.

USCIS has changed some processing-time listings to Service Center Operations (SCOPS) because cases can be worked at multiple locations based on staffing and operational needs. A receipt notice may still identify a specific service center even when the processing-time tool uses Service Center Operations.

A USCIS receipt number is a unique 13-character identifier consisting of three letters followed by 10 numbers. It can be used to check the individual case status online.

What If Your I-140 Is Taking Longer Than Expected?

A case taking longer than a general estimate does not automatically mean there is a problem.

Start by checking:

• Your USCIS case status
• Your original receipt date
• The current I-140 processing-time information
• Whether USCIS has issued an RFE, NOID, transfer notice, or other communication
• Whether the USCIS tool indicates that you can submit a case inquiry

USCIS specifically says that its processing times are reference points and provides a separate case-inquiry tool for determining when a petitioner may contact the agency about a delayed case.

If the case is outside the applicable inquiry timeframe, an online case inquiry may be available. Complex cases may also warrant advice from a qualified immigration attorney.

Can You Speed Up I-140 Processing?

For eligible I-140 classifications, premium processing is the formal expedited option.

Other practical steps include:

• Filing the correct form and classification
• Providing the required evidence
• Checking that the filing is complete
• Responding promptly to an RFE or NOID
• Following the correct filing instructions

Calling USCIS does not automatically move a case into expedited processing. Case inquiries are intended for cases that meet USCIS’s applicable criteria.

Common Reasons an I-140 Case May Take Longer

An I-140 may take longer than an applicant expects because of:

• The specific employment-based classification
• USCIS workload
• Staffing and operational changes
• Case complexity
• Additional evidence requirements
• An RFE
• A NOID
• Other case-specific review

USCIS itself cautions that published processing times are not guarantees and that individual cases can take longer or shorter than the published reference point.

I-140 Processing Time in September 2026: What Should Applicants Expect?

The main takeaway is that there is no universal I-140 wait time.

The latest category-level data available in September 2026 shows a particularly wide spread, from 2.5-7.5 months for standard EB-2 E21 petitions to 29-32 months for EB-2 NIW and 31-34.5 months for EB-1A extraordinary ability petitions. EB-3 skilled worker/professional cases were published at 4-8.5 months, while EB-3 other-worker cases were 7.5-12.5 months.

Premium processing can shorten the USCIS adjudication period substantially for eligible classifications, but it does not remove the need to satisfy the underlying eligibility requirements or eliminate the Visa Bulletin wait.

For anyone planning an employment-based green card, the timeline should be viewed as separate stages:

I-140 processing → premium processing, if used → priority date → visa availability → I-485 or consular processing → permanent residence

That distinction is essential when estimating how long the overall green-card process may take.

Explore EB-1A requirements, EB-2 NIW strategies, and 2026 USCIS approval trends in these guides.

• EB-1A Visa Blueprint: Criteria, Evidence Rules, Application Strategy complete guide
  Breaks down the 10 USCIS eligibility criteria for extraordinary ability, explaining how to document sustained acclaim, satisfy the final merits determination, and assemble a winning self-petition.
• EB-1A Approval Rates 2026: USCIS Data & Why Self-Petitions Get Denied
  Analyzes recent USCIS adjudication trends, final merit evaluation standards, and common self-petition pitfalls—highlighting key strategies to reduce denial risks.
• EB-2 NIW Visa Guide 2026: Dhanasar Rules & Self-Filing Requirements
  Demystifies the National Interest Waiver process under the 3-prong Dhanasar legal framework, outlining degree requirements, national importance criteria, and self-sponsorship rules.
• EB-2 NIW Approval Trends 2026: USCIS Analytics, RFEs & Approval Odds
  Examines up-to-date USCIS approval rates, increased RFE frequency, and field-specific success metrics to help applicants build stronger, evidence-backed petitions.