Why Is My USCIS Case Taking So Long in 2026?

If your immigration case has been pending for months with little or no movement, you are not alone. USCIS processing delays have gotten significantly worse in 2026.

New data from the American Immigration Council shows that USCIS had approximately 11.3 million pending applications and petitions in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026—about 1.6 million more than one year earlier. USCIS also completed about 41% fewer cases compared with the same quarter the previous year.

How Long Are USCIS Backlogs in 2026?

One of the most concerning numbers involves USCIS's estimated backlog clearance time—the amount of time it would theoretically take the agency to clear its pending caseload at its current processing pace.

That estimate nearly doubled from 9.4 months in early fiscal year 2025 to 18.6 months in early fiscal year 2026. This does not mean every USCIS case will take 18.6 months. Processing times vary significantly depending on the immigration benefit, form, service center, and individual case.

Denial rates are also rising. Across USCIS applications and petitions, the overall denial rate increased from 8.9% to 12.2% compared with the same period one year earlier.

What Should You Do If Your USCIS Case Is Delayed?

First, don't assume that a long wait means something is wrong with your case. But you also shouldn't ignore an unusually long delay.

Check the current USCIS processing time for your particular application or petition and make sure you haven't missed a Request for Evidence, biometrics notice, interview notice, or other USCIS communication.

If your case is significantly outside normal processing times, there may be options to inquire about the delay.

At Arevalo Law, we help individuals and families understand their immigration options and determine whether action may be appropriate when a USCIS case has been delayed.

Waiting may be part of the immigration process—but knowing when to take action can make all the difference.