How long USCIS is taking on I-918 petitions for U nonimmigrant status, for victims of qualifying crimes who help law enforcement. Updated every day.
We're still collecting enough decided I-918 cases to publish our own numbers (we wait for at least 20). Until then, USCIS's published national median is 19.8 months.
USCIS national median, FY2026 for I-918: 19.8 months.
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Only 10,000 U visas can be issued to principal petitioners each year, far fewer than the number who qualify, so the full wait for final approval runs for years. USCIS's median reflects its first review, not the end of the line.
USCIS can grant deferred action and work authorization to petitioners whose cases appear bona fide or who are placed on the waiting list, long before a U visa number is available.
The petition needs Supplement B signed by a certifying agency, generally within the six months before filing. An expired or incomplete certification is a common delay.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For decisions about your own case, check USCIS's current guidance or talk to an immigration attorney.
Other forms: I-130 · I-129F · I-751 · I-730 · I-601A · N-400 · N-600 · N-600K · I-131 · I-539 · I-821 · I-129 · I-140 · I-526E · I-829 · I-360 · I-817 · I-600A · I-600 · I-800A · I-800 · I-90 · N-565 · I-102 · I-824
All USCIS processing timesUSCIS's published national median for I-918 is 19.8 months. We don't yet have enough decided I-918 cases of our own to publish a figure, so this page shows USCIS's number until we do.
Possibly, if USCIS makes a bona fide determination or places you on the waiting list and grants work authorization. Confirm the details for your case with USCIS or an immigration attorney.
Ours come from real I-918 cases we tracked from the day USCIS received them to the day they were approved or denied, over the last 12 months. USCIS's median covers its whole fiscal year and, for some forms, only one category. Neither predicts a single case exactly: your service center or field office, your category and any Request for Evidence matter more.
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