EB-3 Visa Update April 2026: USCIS Processing Times What You Need to Know

USCIS processing times continue to vary significantly across visa, green card, and employment-based categories as of April 2026. Applicants navigating the system should be aware that wait times differ substantially depending on the specific petition type and the service center handling the case. For family-based petitions, I-130 filings for green card holders face particularly long waits of up to 35 months. This extended timeline means family members may spend years in limbo before a decision is rendered on their eligibility to immigrate. On the employment-based side, PERM labor certifications are adding over 16 months to overall green card timelines before an I-140 petition can even be filed. For EB-3 applicants — including skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers — this stacking of delays creates compounding uncertainty around when a priority date becomes current and when adjustment of status can be completed. These delays have real consequences for applicants and their families, affecting major life decisions such as career planning, housing, and family reunification. Understanding current processing benchmarks is essential for setting realistic expectations and planning next steps in the immigration journey. Applicants are encouraged to monitor their case status through the USCIS online portal and consult the most recent processing time estimates published on the official USCIS website for their specific form type and filing location.