When Your USCIS Case Is “Outside Normal Processing Times” — What to Do

One of the hardest parts of the immigration journey is the waiting. It’s not just a minor inconvenience—it can feel like much of your life is paused. Your ability to work may depend on it. Travel plans might be on hold. You may be waiting to start school, renew a driver’s license, or even apply for a Social Security number. Big life decisions sit in limbo while your case quietly moves (or seems like it isn’t moving at all) behind the scenes at USCIS.

In the beginning, there can also be a real sense of helplessness. Once your case is filed, there is often very little you can do but wait. USCIS sets what it considers a “normal” processing window, and until your case passes that timeframe, there usually isn’t a formal way to ask for answers. You check your status. You refresh the page. You hope for an update. And mostly—you wait.

That’s why reaching the point where your case is officially considered “outside normal processing times” is actually significant. Even if it’s frustrating that it took this long, it means you’ve crossed an important threshold. You are now eligible to take specific, official steps to formally inquire about your case to ask USCIS what’s going on.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.

What “Outside Normal Processing Times” actually means

USCIS posts estimated processing times for various forms (such as the I-130, I-485, I-751, N-400, and more). These ranges can vary by form type, category, and the USCIS office handling your case, and are only approximate, not guaranteed timelines.

USCIS also provides a “calculator” that lets you enter your receipt date to find out your earliest date for a case inquiry—that date is key. Until that “date of inquiry”, USCIS does not allow you to submit a formal inquiry into the status of your case. However, once you reach that date (or beyond) USCIS generally considers your case eligible for an inquiry. 

 You can check this using the official USCIS Processing Times tool. There will be more on this later in the article, so keep reading!

A friendly reminder:

Before we jump into action steps, rest assured that long processing times do not automatically mean something is wrong. Cases can take longer for normal reasons, such as background checks, staffing, file transfers, or extra review. Plus, as mentioned above, once your case is outside normal times, you’re not powerless–you’ve earned the right to ask for an update!

Confirm the delay in the “USCIS way”

Before you begin any “inquiry” steps, you will want to make sure that your case is, in fact, “Outside normal processing times”. If your case has not reached that point in its processing timeline, you will unlikely be able to complete the following steps. 

Start with two tools USCIS expects you to use:

1. Check your case status using your receipt number (this shows the latest public update). USCIS updates statuses occasionally. However, it is normal for there to be multiple months between status changes. If you add your receipt numbers to your SimpleCitizen account, we can help you track these updates! 
   
2. Check the processing time + inquiry date for your form type and office (this tells you if USCIS believes you’re eligible to submit an “outside normal processing time” request). To use this feature, you will need to provide your form, form category, and filing office. Once you enter this information, you will be shown the estimated processing times for that filing category, and there will also be a small “tool” that you can use to see your inquiry date. You are not permitted to submit an “inquiry” before this date. If you have more questions about how these processing times and inquiry dates work, USCIS offers helpful information on how processing times are calculated and how to determine whether you are “outside” normal processing times.
   

To keep it simple, write down (or track) these basics:

• Your receipt number and receipt date
  
• The last status update date
  
• The inquiry date shown in the processing-times tool
  
• Any deadlines you’ve received (like an RFE due date)
  

That little bit of organization makes every step below easier and helps you know when to sit back and wait and when to lean in and start asking questions. 

Step 1: Submit an “Outside Normal Processing Time” e-Request

While your case is within normal processing times, USCIS does not allow for inquiries. However, once you DO reach your “Inquiry date”, you are finally eligible to submit an inquiry request. If the processing-times tool shows you’re eligible, your next step is usually a USCIS e-Request.

This is not a new application. It’s a formal way to say:
“Hi USCIS—my case is past the timeframe you published. Can you check on it? I would like an update.”

USCIS offers a specific option for Case Outside Normal Processing Time through its e-Request system.

Before you submit, here’s what to have ready (so it’s fast and clean):

• Receipt number
  
• Form type (and category, if asked)
  
• Your mailing address and contact info (make sure it matches USCIS records)
  
• A short, polite description (1–3 sentences is plenty)
  

After you submit, USCIS may respond with:

• A status update,
  
• A request for more info, or
  
• A note that they’re still reviewing.
  

Even if the response is not exciting, submitting the request creates a “paper trail” that supports later steps and can even nudge your case along by drawing attention to it.

Step 2: Contact USCIS directly (when it makes sense)

Sometimes an online request isn’t enough—especially if:

• You can’t submit an e-Request for your case type,
  
• You’re seeing a confusing status update,
  
• You believe a notice was missed,
  
• Or you have a time-sensitive issue (like travel, work authorization needs, or a looming deadline).
  

USCIS lists options for contacting them and using their self-help tools, including the USCIS Contact Center. This step can be tedious and can include long wait times on the phone. Be sure to complete Step 1 prior to this unless there is something urgent about your situation that needs immediate attention.  

Step 3: Ask your member of Congress to make a congressional inquiry

If you’ve already tried USCIS channels (like e-Request and/or contacting USCIS) and you’re still stuck, you can ask your U.S. Representative or Senator for help with a federal agency inquiry.

However, it’s important to remember that while they cannot force USCIS to approve a case, they CAN request information, flag long delays, and help ensure your case isn’t lost or ignored.

To find your Representative, you can use the official House “Find Your Representative” tool.
USA.gov also provides official guidance on finding and contacting elected officials.

Most offices have a “Help with a Federal Agency” or “Immigration Casework” page where you’ll:

• Fill out a privacy-release form, and
  
• Provide your receipt number and basic case details.
  

This step can feel intimidating, but it’s normal—and many offices do it every day. Processes may differ by office so additional information may need to be requested from the office itself in order to submit the request. 

Step 4: Consider an expedite request (only if you truly qualify)

Successful expedite requests are extremely rare. They can be helpful in the right situation—but they’re not a general “speed up my case” button. USCIS explains expedite requests and lists common criteria  (like severe financial loss, urgent humanitarian reasons, nonprofit cultural/social interest, U.S. government interests, or clear USCIS error). If it can not be adequately proven that the case meets at least one of the necessary criteria, an expedite is typically not granted.

If you think you might qualify, here’s what to include so your request is taken seriously:

• A short explanation tied to one specific expedite category
  
• Supporting evidence (letters, bills, medical documentation, employer statements, etc.)
  
• A clear description of what happens if USCIS does not act quickly
  

It’s important to remember that an expedite is not guaranteed, even if it is proven that the case meets the necessary criteria. However, many people feel it is at least worth a try if their situation is truly an emergency.  

Step 5: Escalate to the CIS Ombudsman (for certain situations)

If you’ve already submitted an “outside normal processing times” request and have given USCIS at least 60 days to reply with no response, you may be able to request help from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman).

DHS provides an overview of when and how to submit a case assistance request, including starting by checking your case status and the case inquiry date.
They also publish alerts about when case assistance may be appropriate (for example, when USCIS hasn’t responded to a service request within certain timeframes).

This can be a strong “next-level” step when your case is genuinely stuck and normal channels haven’t helped.

Step 6: Get professional support if you’re overwhelmed (or the situation is high-stakes)

If your delay is creating serious risk (work, safety, legal status, family separation), talking to a licensed immigration attorney can be a smart move—especially if you’re considering advanced options like litigation or you’re worried something in your history could be complicating the case. 

Conclusion

Waiting for your case to be processed can be stressful and frustrating—especially when so much of your life feels like it’s on hold. The good news is that there is a structure to the process. Knowing what “normal” processing times look like and understanding when your case has officially moved beyond that window helps you stay calm, informed, and proactive. Waiting may be part of the journey, but once your case is outside normal timeframes, you can take clear, effective steps to inquire and help move things forward.

Just as importantly, many delays can be avoided from the very beginning with a well-prepared, organized, and accurate application. That’s where preparation really matters.

If you’re getting ready to file—or want extra confidence that your case is complete and strong—SimpleCitizen can help guide you step-by-step, review your documents, and make sure everything is submitted the first time correctly. Fewer mistakes often mean fewer delays.

When you’re ready, get started with SimpleCitizen and take the next step with confidence.

We’re Happy You’re Here.

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