I-821 processing time
Application for Temporary Protected Status
From USCIS data captured August 31, 2026
Typical wait
6.5 – 30 months
Across 1 office(s); the ranges overlap too much to single out a faster one.
Offices
1
process this form
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Is your I-821 case delayed?
Compare your receipt date against your office's normal time.
Every office, fastest to slowest
| Office | Category | Current time | Case inquiry possible for receipts on/before |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | El Salvador Initial | 25 – 30 months | March 05, 2024 |
| El Salvador Re-registration | 17.5 – 18 months | March 03, 2025 | |
| Somalia Initial | 20 – 20.5 months | January 05, 2025 | |
| Sudan Initial | 6.5 – 7 months | February 24, 2026 | |
| Sudan Re-registration | 17 – 17.5 months | April 10, 2025 | |
| Ukraine Initial | 22 – 25.5 months | July 31, 2024 | |
| Ukraine Re-registration | 18 – 18.5 months | February 23, 2025 |
National context
Historical median by fiscal year
This is the national median for completed cases—not the current office-level 80% time shown above. The two measures are not directly comparable.
| Classification | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To request or reregister for TPS | 4.1 | 10.2 | 11.8 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 11.9 |
* FY2026 is partial: Oct. 1, 2025–May 31, 2026.
Filing on your own?
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The national I-821 line
Cases waiting
574,448
nationwide (FY2026 Q2)
The line is
shrinking
-51.1% since FY2025 Q4
What that usually means
More decisions than applications — pressure toward shorter waits.
From USCIS's official quarterly report. See the full outlook and methodology →
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 Form I-821 take in 2026?
Per USCIS data captured August 31, 2026, I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) takes 6.5 – 30 months across 1 office(s).
Which office is fastest for I-821?
The posted ranges overlap too much to single out a faster office — they all fall within 6.5 – 30 months.
What does this processing time mean?
USCIS calculates it as the time in which 80% of adjudicated cases were completed over the past six months. It is a reference point, not a promise about any individual case.
How often is this page updated?
Arrive Legal captures USCIS-published data weekly and archives every capture to show trends over time.
Official source: USCIS Case Processing Times. See our methodology.