USCIS backlogs are creating longer processing times for applications
Due to an increasing backlog, non-citizens waiting for visa or employment authorization are now waiting much longer for their applications to be processed.
If you are concerned about the processing time of your visa application, call us today at +1 844 290 6312. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and even assist in your application to expedite.
USCIS backlogs
Due to Covid-19, many embassies and immigration officers were forced to shut down for months in order to prevent the spread of the disease. As a result of this closure, many visa and work permit applications were left pending causing a backlog to grow. The backlog of pending applications continues to this day with an estimated 1.5 million employment authorization applications waiting to be processed.
Due to the long queue for processing, applicants for a work permit are now expected to wait 9-12 months for their application to be processed. Under federal law, these applications should not take more than 180 days to process. As a consequence of the increased waiting times, application backlogs have now increased further.
Delays in immigration systems exacerbating the U.S.’s labor shortage
In recent years, the United States has started to be affected by a labor shortage which many believe to be due to the lack of immigrant labor. It is estimated that there are over a million immigrants in the United States who have been waiting for their visas, green cards, and work permits to be processed. Many of these immigrants could fill the 10.9 million available jobs in the United States if only approved to legally work.
While these immigrants wait for their applications to be approved, many individuals have been forced out of jobs due to their work authorization expiring. To make ends meet, many people are dipping into savings to cover the costs of both immigration and day-to-day expenses while they wait.
Attempts by USCIS to improve the situation
USCIS is aware that their ever-increasing backlog and waiting times have become unreasonable. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ur Jaddou recently stated that the organization has taken steps to help improves the situation by implementing “new policy and operational improves to reduce both the number of pending cases and overall processing times” which include longer validity periods for certain visas and automatic extensions for certain visas.
However, it remains to be seen if these policy changes will cut down on the backlog and provide applicants will quicker processing times.
How can IAS help me?
One of the many reasons why some visa work permits and visas take longer to process is the lack of proper supporting evidence and mistakes made in the application. Here at IAS, our dedicated team of immigration experts thoroughly check each application before it is sent off to make sure that your application is completed to the highest standard and can quickly be processed.
To learn more about the services we can offer you, contact us today at +1 844 290 6312 or leave us a message online and we’ll get back to you.
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Last modified on March 22nd, 2022 at 5:38 am
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