I-140 at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)
Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
From USCIS data captured October 19, 2026
Extraordinary ability (E11)
32.5 – 35.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before November 13, 2023.
USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) prioritizes processing of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, when the Department of State Visa Bulletin shows an immigrant visa is available. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly, lists available immigrant visas by priority date. We use the visa bulletin to determine the current visa categories and priority dates. SCOPS has prioritized our adjudications so we can focus on cases with visas available and can move related Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) to the National Benefits Center. This prioritization supports the USCIS-wide effort to use all employment-based visas available during the fiscal year. It does not affect premium processed petitions, which we will manage in the associated time frame for premium processing service.
Outstanding professor or researcher (E12)
15 – 18.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before April 16, 2025.
USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) prioritizes processing of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, when the Department of State Visa Bulletin shows an immigrant visa is available. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly, lists available immigrant visas by priority date. We use the visa bulletin to determine the current visa categories and priority dates. SCOPS has prioritized our adjudications so we can focus on cases with visas available and can move related Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) to the National Benefits Center. This prioritization supports the USCIS-wide effort to use all employment-based visas available during the fiscal year. It does not affect premium processed petitions, which we will manage in the associated time frame for premium processing service.
Multinational executive or manager (E13)
27.5 – 29.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before May 08, 2024.
USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) prioritizes processing of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, when the Department of State Visa Bulletin shows an immigrant visa is available. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly, lists available immigrant visas by priority date. We use the visa bulletin to determine the current visa categories and priority dates. SCOPS has prioritized our adjudications so we can focus on cases with visas available and can move related Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) to the National Benefits Center. This prioritization supports the USCIS-wide effort to use all employment-based visas available during the fiscal year. It does not affect premium processed petitions, which we will manage in the associated time frame for premium processing service.
Advanced degree or exceptional ability (E21)
3 – 6.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before April 07, 2026.
USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) prioritizes processing of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, when the Department of State Visa Bulletin shows an immigrant visa is available. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly, lists available immigrant visas by priority date. We use the visa bulletin to determine the current visa categories and priority dates. SCOPS has prioritized our adjudications so we can focus on cases with visas available and can move related Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) to the National Benefits Center. This prioritization supports the USCIS-wide effort to use all employment-based visas available during the fiscal year. It does not affect premium processed petitions, which we will manage in the associated time frame for premium processing service.
Skilled worker or professional (E31; E32)
4 – 8 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before February 28, 2026.
USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) prioritizes processing of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, when the Department of State Visa Bulletin shows an immigrant visa is available. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly, lists available immigrant visas by priority date. We use the visa bulletin to determine the current visa categories and priority dates. SCOPS has prioritized our adjudications so we can focus on cases with visas available and can move related Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) to the National Benefits Center. This prioritization supports the USCIS-wide effort to use all employment-based visas available during the fiscal year. It does not affect premium processed petitions, which we will manage in the associated time frame for premium processing service.
Unskilled worker (EW3)
9 – 15 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before July 27, 2025.
USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) prioritizes processing of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, when the Department of State Visa Bulletin shows an immigrant visa is available. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly, lists available immigrant visas by priority date. We use the visa bulletin to determine the current visa categories and priority dates. SCOPS has prioritized our adjudications so we can focus on cases with visas available and can move related Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) to the National Benefits Center. This prioritization supports the USCIS-wide effort to use all employment-based visas available during the fiscal year. It does not affect premium processed petitions, which we will manage in the associated time frame for premium processing service.
Advanced degree or exceptional ability requesting a National Interest Waiver (NIW)
30 – 33 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before January 27, 2024.
USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) prioritizes processing of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, when the Department of State Visa Bulletin shows an immigrant visa is available. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly, lists available immigrant visas by priority date. We use the visa bulletin to determine the current visa categories and priority dates. SCOPS has prioritized our adjudications so we can focus on cases with visas available and can move related Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) to the National Benefits Center. This prioritization supports the USCIS-wide effort to use all employment-based visas available during the fiscal year. It does not affect premium processed petitions, which we will manage in the associated time frame for premium processing service.
Schedule A Nurses
25.5 – 26.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before August 07, 2024.
USCIS Service Center Operations (SCOPS) prioritizes processing of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, when the Department of State Visa Bulletin shows an immigrant visa is available. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly, lists available immigrant visas by priority date. We use the visa bulletin to determine the current visa categories and priority dates. SCOPS has prioritized our adjudications so we can focus on cases with visas available and can move related Applications to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) to the National Benefits Center. This prioritization supports the USCIS-wide effort to use all employment-based visas available during the fiscal year. It does not affect premium processed petitions, which we will manage in the associated time frame for premium processing service.
In plain English
- The months range means: USCIS finished 80% of its recent I-140 cases at this office within that time. It's a reference point — some cases finish sooner, some later.
- "Case inquiry possible…" means: if USCIS received your case on or before that date, your wait is already longer than normal and you can officially ask USCIS about it (it's called an e-Request, and it's free).
- The chart below shows how the posted wait has moved over time — orange = our weekly captures; gray = archival history.
Track this I-140 wait at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)
Get the old value, new value, and trend when USCIS changes this time.
Trend
Latest published wait
35.5 months
As of Oct 12, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture
Stable
No change since Oct 5, 2026
Processing time (months)
View 22 exact readings
- Oct 12, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture35.5 months
- Oct 5, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture35.5 months
- Sep 28, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture35.5 months
- Sep 21, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture35.5 months
- Sep 8, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture34.5 months
- Aug 31, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture34.5 months
- Aug 24, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture34.5 months
- Aug 18, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture34.5 months
- Aug 13, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture33 months
- Jul 22, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture33 months
- Jun 24, 2026 · archival history32.5 months
- May 23, 2026 · archival history30.5 months
- Apr 22, 2026 · archival history28.5 months
- Mar 17, 2026 · archival history26.5 months
- Feb 19, 2026 · archival history25.5 months
- Jan 15, 2026 · archival history25 months
- Dec 19, 2025 · archival history24.5 months
- Dec 9, 2025 · archival history23.5 months
- Oct 22, 2025 · archival history21 months
- Sep 30, 2025 · archival history19 months
- Sep 19, 2025 · archival history19 months
- Sep 6, 2025 · archival history19 months
The national I-140 line
Cases waiting
184,209
nationwide (FY2026 Q2)
The line is
stable
+2.1% since FY2025 Q4
What that usually means
Intake and decisions roughly even — no clear pressure either way.
From USCIS's official quarterly report. See the full outlook and methodology →
Is your case delayed?
Enter your receipt date — the comparison happens in your browser.
The calculation runs in your browser — we don't store your date or any case details.
Related forms
Other USCIS forms commonly tracked in the same process — listed for reference, not as guidance on what to file.
Frequently asked questions
How long does I-140 take at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)?
Per USCIS data captured October 19, 2026, I-140 at Service Center Operations (SCOPS) takes 32.5 – 35.5 months (80% of cases complete within that time).
When can I ask USCIS about my case?
Under the current data, USCIS accepts a I-140 case inquiry at Service Center Operations (SCOPS) if your receipt date is on or before November 13, 2023. Use USCIS's e-Request tool.
Is this time a guarantee?
No. It is the time within which USCIS completed 80% of similar cases over the past six months. Every case is different; some take longer.
Check your case status at USCIS Case Status Online · Official source: USCIS Case Processing Times