I-765 at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)
Application for Employment Authorization
From USCIS data captured October 19, 2026
Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)]
6.5 – 10 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before December 28, 2025.
Based on being an L-2 spouse of an L-1 nonimmigrant [(a)(18)]
18 – 28 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before June 24, 2024.
Based on being admitted as a Refugee [(a)(3)]
18.5 – 21.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before January 06, 2025.
Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)]
2.5 – 17 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before May 31, 2025.
Based on being an H-4 spouse of an H-1B nonimmigrant (Standalone; not filed with I-539 H4) [(c)(26)]
17.5 – 19 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before March 24, 2025.
Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student [(c)(3)]
5 – 6.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before April 16, 2026.
Based on an approved, concurrently filed, I-821D [(c)(33)]
No posted time
Consistent with the July 16, 2021 order from the Southern District of Texas that prohibits DHS from granting initial DACA requests, USCIS has suspended calculations of processing times for initial DACA requests. https://www.uscis.gov/DACADecisionStateofTexas
Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] -renewal/replacement
18.5 – 21.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before January 10, 2025.
USCIS posts 1 processing time for any service center location that processes requests for an Employment Authorization Document based on a pending asylum application. We keep these requests in an electronic system that allows us generally to process adjudication-ready cases in the order USCIS receives them, regardless of where the case is pending or where the adjudicator is.
Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] – Initial Application
1 – 4 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before September 24, 2026.
USCIS posts 1 processing time for any service center location that processes requests for an initial Employment Authorization Document based on a pending asylum application. We keep these requests in an electronic system that allows us generally to process adjudication-ready cases in the order USCIS receives them, regardless of where the case is pending or where the adjudicator is.
Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)]
12.5 – 16 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before June 28, 2025.
Based on TPS for El Salvador [(c)(19), (a)(12)]
18.5 – 19.5 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before March 19, 2025.
All other applications for employment authorization
16 – 19 months
Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before March 23, 2025.
In plain English
- The months range means: USCIS finished 80% of its recent I-765 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-765 wait at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)
Get the old value, new value, and trend when USCIS changes this time.
Trend
Latest published wait
10 months
As of Oct 12, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture
Stable
No change since Oct 5, 2026
Processing time (months)
View 20 exact readings
- Oct 12, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture10 months
- Oct 5, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture10 months
- Sep 28, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture10 months
- Sep 21, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture10 months
- Sep 8, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture10 months
- Aug 31, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture10 months
- Aug 24, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture10 months
- Aug 18, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture10 months
- Aug 13, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9.5 months
- Jul 22, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9.5 months
- Jun 24, 2026 · archival history9 months
- May 23, 2026 · archival history8.5 months
- Apr 22, 2026 · archival history8.5 months
- Mar 17, 2026 · archival history8 months
- Feb 19, 2026 · archival history7.5 months
- Jan 15, 2026 · archival history7.5 months
- Dec 19, 2025 · archival history7.5 months
- Dec 9, 2025 · archival history7.5 months
- Oct 22, 2025 · archival history7 months
- Sep 30, 2025 · archival history7 months
The national I-765 line
Cases waiting
1,917,467
nationwide (FY2026 Q2)
The line is
growing
+13.0% since FY2025 Q4
What that usually means
More applications than decisions — pressure toward longer waits.
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-765 take at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)?
Per USCIS data captured October 19, 2026, I-765 at Service Center Operations (SCOPS) takes 6.5 – 10 months (80% of cases complete within that time).
When can I ask USCIS about my case?
Under the current data, USCIS accepts a I-765 case inquiry at Service Center Operations (SCOPS) if your receipt date is on or before December 28, 2025. 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