I-140 Regular Processing Time: What to Expect in 2026
The Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, is the foundational petition that establishes your eligibility for an employment-based green card. If you choose regular processing rather than premium processing, USCIS adjudicates your petition within its normal workload queue — with no guaranteed deadline and no expedited review. Understanding current I-140 regular processing times helps you plan your green card timeline with realistic expectations.
This guide covers current processing time ranges, the difference between regular and premium processing, what factors cause delays, and what you can do while your petition is pending.
What Is I-140 Regular Processing?
Definition: Regular processing (also called standard processing) means USCIS reviews your I-140 petition in the order it is received, within the agency’s existing capacity. There is no additional fee for regular processing, and USCIS does not commit to a fixed adjudication deadline. Processing is tracked by service center and employment-based (EB) preference category [1].
Regular processing is available for all employment-based preference categories, including:
- EB-1 (Priority Workers: Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, Multinational Managers)
- EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals and National Interest Waiver)
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers)
- EB-4 and EB-5 (Special Immigrants and Investors)
Current I-140 Regular Processing Time Ranges (2026)
USCIS publishes I-140 processing times monthly on its official processing times tool, broken down by service center and sub-category [1]. As of October 2026, regular processing time ranges reported by USCIS are as follows [1]:
| I-140 Category | Service Center | Regular Processing Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1A / EB-1B / EB-1C | Nebraska (NSC) | 4 – 6 months [1] |
| EB-1A / EB-1B / EB-1C | Texas (TSC) | 4 – 7 months [1] |
| EB-2 (PERM-based) | Nebraska (NSC) | 6 – 10 months [1] |
| EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) | Nebraska (NSC) | 12 – 18 months [1] |
| EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) | Texas (TSC) | 10 – 16 months [1] |
| EB-3 (Skilled / Professional) | Nebraska (NSC) | 6 – 10 months [1] |
| EB-3 (Skilled / Professional) | Texas (TSC) | 6 – 11 months [1] |
Note: Always verify current wait times directly on the USCIS processing times tool [1], as figures are updated monthly and may shift based on filing volume and staffing.
Regular Processing vs. Premium Processing: Key Differences
Premium processing is an optional paid service that guarantees USCIS will take action on an I-140 within 15 business days [2]. It does not guarantee approval — only that USCIS will either approve, deny, issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), or open an investigation within that window [2].
| Feature | Regular Processing | Premium Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Additional fee | None | $2,805 (as of Feb 2024) [2] |
| Processing commitment | No guaranteed timeframe [1] | 15 business days [2] |
| Eligible categories | All I-140 categories | Most EB categories; check USCIS for current eligibility [2] |
| Best for | Budget-conscious filers; concurrent filing situations | Time-sensitive situations (H-1B extensions, urgent job needs) |
| Can add premium later? | Yes, using Form I-907 [2] | N/A |
What Factors Affect I-140 Regular Processing Time?
Several variables can push your case toward the shorter or longer end of USCIS’s published ranges:
- Filing volume: Surges in I-140 filings — common after PERM labor certification backlogs clear — lengthen average wait times at both service centers [1].
- Service center assignment: USCIS assigns petitions to either the Nebraska (NSC) or Texas (TSC) service center based on your employer’s state. Current processing times differ between centers [1].
- Petition category: NIW petitions typically take longer than PERM-backed EB-2 or EB-3 petitions because they require more individualized merit analysis [1].
- Requests for Evidence (RFEs): An RFE pauses USCIS’s internal processing clock while you prepare a response; USCIS gives you up to 87 days to respond [2].
- Document completeness: Incomplete initial filings that require USCIS to send a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) or a Notice of Missing Initial Evidence can add months to a case.
- USCIS staffing and policy changes: Adjudicator training cycles, furloughs, or policy memoranda can temporarily slow or speed adjudications agency-wide.
What Happens to Your Priority Date During I-140 Processing?
Your priority date is established when USCIS receives your I-140 petition (for NIW and EB-1 self-petitions) or when the Department of Labor (DOL) accepts your PERM labor certification application (for PERM-based categories). This date does not change regardless of how long USCIS takes to adjudicate the petition — so a longer regular processing time does not cost you your place in line [1].
Once your I-140 is approved, you monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State to determine when your priority date becomes “current” — at which point you can file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) if you are in the United States, or apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing abroad.
How to Check Your I-140 Case Status
After filing, USCIS mails a receipt notice (Form I-797) with a 13-character receipt number. You can use this number to:
- Check status online at My Case Status on the USCIS website [1].
- Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 to speak with a representative.
- Submit a case inquiry online if your case exceeds the published processing time for your service center and category [1].
USCIS recommends submitting an online inquiry only if your case has been pending longer than the current posted processing time — submitting too early does not accelerate adjudication [1].
Can You Expedite a Regular Processing I-140?
Outside of paying for premium processing (Form I-907), USCIS does consider expedite requests on a case-by-case basis under specific criteria, including severe financial loss to a company or individual, urgent humanitarian reasons, or a compelling U.S. government interest [1]. Expedite requests are granted at USCIS’s discretion and are not guaranteed. Upgrading to premium processing remains the most reliable way to accelerate adjudication [2].
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does I-140 regular processing take in 2026?
As of October 2026, regular processing times for I-140 petitions range from approximately 4 months (EB-1 categories) to 18 months (EB-2 NIW), depending on the service center and petition type [1]. Always confirm current times on the official USCIS processing times tool [1].
Is regular processing faster at one service center than another?
Times vary. USCIS updates service-center-specific data monthly [1]. Petitioners cannot choose which service center handles their case — assignment is based on the employer’s state of business [1].
Does filing an RFE response restart the processing clock?
No. Responding to an RFE does not restart the clock, but it does extend the total adjudication period because USCIS pauses review while awaiting your response. USCIS gives petitioners up to 87 days to respond to an RFE [2].
Can I switch from regular to premium processing after filing?
Yes. You can file Form I-907 (Request for Premium Processing Service) at any time while your I-140 is pending, as long as premium processing is currently available for your category [2]. The $2,805 fee applies [2].
Does I-140 approval mean my green card is approved?
No. I-140 approval confirms your eligibility for an employment-based green card but does not itself grant permanent residence. You must still wait for a visa number to become available based on your priority date, then complete either Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or consular processing [1].
What is the I-140 filing fee for regular processing?
The base filing fee for Form I-140 is $715 [2]. Premium processing requires an additional $2,805 fee paid with Form I-907 [2]. Fees are subject to change; always verify current fees on the USCIS website before filing [2].
Sources
- USCIS I-140 Processing Times — Current I-140 processing time ranges by service center and petition type
- USCIS Form I-140 Instructions — I-140 filing requirements, fee amounts, and premium processing eligibility