Get USCIS Improves Processing For Naturalization And Citizenship Forms

USCIS receives a large number of applications for citizenship and has a lot of backlogs, which is why it will take over 14 months for USCIS to process your application. Note that exact USCIS processing times may vary based on your location.

Why Does Getting U.S. Citizenship Take So Long? The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives many applications each year and takes time to review each one carefully. Because of the high scrutiny they have for each application, it can take many months before they finally get to yours.

Processing times for Form N-400 (officially called the “Application for Naturalization”) have decreased in 2023, averaging 6.4 months. For more up to date timelines, Boundless analyzes monthly processing times at USCIS field offices across the country. You can find our timeline estimates for Form N-400 here.

Form N-400 Processing Time In 2023 N-400 processing time is 8-10 months, depending on the field office where you file your application for naturalization, as per the processing times on USCIS website.

Individuals who wish to become U.S. citizens through naturalization submit their applications to USCIS. We determine eligibility, process the applications and, if approved, schedule the applicant for a ceremony to take the Oath of Allegiance.

If USCIS has everything it needs from you, they may also decide on your citizenship application the same day. (If you're lucky, your Oath of Allegiance ceremony may happen then, too.) Otherwise, they'll have up to 120 days after your interview to make a decision.

During the last administration, USCIS implemented many new policies designed to restrict legal immigration and delay processing. While the current administration has made some helpful changes, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to continued slowdowns.

In 2022, we began to see some progress with processing times for the I-360 petitions that were filed and pending adjudication for several months. In the first few months of 2023, we have continued to see improvements in processing times for many petitions and applications.