EB-1 Visa Processing Time and Application: How Long Does it Take in 2025?

If you’re an individual with extraordinary ability in your field, the EB-1 visa could be your path to permanent residency in the U.S. But if you’re planning to apply for an EB-1 visa, it’s important to understand the entire process from beginning to end—as well as how long that process is actually going to take.

If you want to effectively prepare for your application and set realistic expectations for the process, understanding EB-1 visa processing times is a must. Whether you’re just starting the process or are almost ready to file your petition (or anything in between!), understanding the timeline of each step will help you plan ahead, avoid unnecessary delays, and get a better understanding of when your visa may get approved.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about EB-1 visa processing times, including how long the visa application process takes from beginning to end, a step-by-step breakdown of the visa application process (and how long each step takes), and insights on how to check current processing times for EB-1 visas.

How Long Is the Processing Time for the EB-1 Visa?

EB-1 visa processing time refers to how long it takes U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to review your EB-1 petition and make a decision. The process officially starts when your petition is submitted by your U.S. employer or sponsor using Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. (Note: self-petitioning is allowed in the EB-1A category.)

Once USCIS receives the form and additional required supporting documents from the petitioner, they can begin the review process. While processing times may vary, typical processing times for the EB-1 visa are as follows:

• Regular Processing: Regular processing can take, on average, anywhere between 1 to 2 years, depending on the service center and application backlogs.
• Premium Processing: There is a way to expedite visa processing via the premium processing options. For an additional $2,805 fee (as of 2025), you get a priority date and can expect a response to your EB-1A or EB-1B application within 15 business days. For the EB-1C visa, responses arrive within 45 business days. If you’re on a tight deadline and have the budget to cover the additional costs, this can be a valuable way to shorten the process.

EB-1 Visa Timeline: Breakdown From Application to Processing Time

It’s helpful to know how long USCIS may take to process your EB-1 visa application. But total EB-1 visa processing times include more than just the USCIS review. The entire process includes multiple steps before and after, and in order to get a clear understanding of the total timeline, it’s important to understand what those steps are and how long they may take.

Let’s take a look at a phase-by-phase breakdown of the entire process, as well as how long you can expect each step to take:

Phase 1: Case Building (6-18 months)

Before you apply, you need to ensure you meet the EB-1 eligibility criteria. To meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll need to provide evidence of extraordinary ability or achievement in your field, which may include:

• Evidence of national or international acclaim (for example, prestigious awards)
• Proof of membership in industry-related fields that demand outstanding achievement in their members
• Published materials about you in a professional or major trade publication, newspaper, magazine, or other major media
• Evidence of significant contributions to and/or noteworthy success in your field
• Evidence of leadership positions within your industry
• High salary
• Significant recognition and/or distinguished reputation within your field
• Published scholarly articles

Gathering this evidence can take a long time, especially when you consider that the more evidence you can include, the stronger your petition will be. As such, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time (which, on average, can fall between 6 and 18 months) to pull it all together.

Phase 2: Case Preparation (2-4 months)

Once you’ve gathered all of your evidence, it’s time to start actually preparing your EB-1 petition. This includes:

• Preparing the Form I-140 Petition (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers)
• Gathering letters of recommendation to support your petition (between three and 10 letters)
• Organizing and presenting evidence of extraordinary ability/extraordinary achievement

Preparing your petition and presenting your case in a comprehensive, compelling way takes time. Typically, you can expect to take anywhere between two and four months preparing your petition.

At this point in the process, you may want to consider working with an immigration attorney. Working with an experienced EB-1 lawyer can help ensure your petition is organized, thorough, and presented in a way that increases your chances of approval. Partnering with an attorney can also shorten the case preparation timeline, allowing you to move more quickly through the visa application process.

Phase 3: USCIS Processing (6-12 months or 15 business days)

Once your petition is submitted, USCIS will begin processing your EB-1 visa application. As mentioned, that can take as few as 15 business days (if you opt for premium processing) or as long as two-plus years (for regular processing).

Is Premium Processing Worth It for the EB-1 Visa?

As mentioned, premium processing can dramatically reduce the timeline for EB-1 visa processing. But it does come with an additional fee of $2,805. 

Whether premium processing is “worth it” will depend on your specific case and requirements. If you want or need to expedite visa processing for any reason (for example, a hard deadline for when you need approval) and aren’t concerned about EB-1 visa costs, then paying the additional fee for premium processing likely makes sense. However, if you’re working with a limited budget and/or aren’t in a rush for your visa to get approved, regular processing, which is a more cost-effective option, could be the way to go.

How to Check EB-1 Visa Processing Time in 2025

EB-1 visa processing times are constantly changing. To estimate how long your EB-1 visa might take, use the official USCIS Processing Times tool. This tool will give you a general idea of processing times based on your visa type and the service center handling your case.

To use the tool, fill out each field as below:

• Form: Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers)
• Form Category: either Extraordinary ability (E11), Outstanding professor or researcher (E12), or Multinational executive or manager (E13)
• Service Center: If you’ve already filed your EB-1 petition, you can find your service center listed on your receipt notice (Form I-797). If you haven’t filed yet, you can select either service center (Texas or Nebraska) from the dropdown. This will give you a general idea of the current estimated EB-1 visa processing time for each location.

Start Your EB-1 Visa Process with Confidence

Navigating the EB-1 visa process can be complex. But partnering with an experienced EB-1 visa lawyer for legal advice and support can help you better understand the process, avoid delays, and ensure that your petition is as strong as it can be before filing. At Manifest Law, we’re here to walk you through the entire EB-1 visa process and help you make your dreams of permanent residency in the U.S. a reality.

Ready to get started? Schedule a consultation with Manifest Law today and take the first step toward securing your EB-1 visa.

FAQs about EB-1 Visa Processing Time

What factors influence EB-1 visa processing time?

A variety of factors can impact processing times for the EB-1 visa, including the complexity of your case, the quality of your petition, current USCIS wait times, and whether you opt for premium processing. A Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, which requires additional documentation, can also cause additional delays. Working with an experienced immigration lawyer to prepare your petition can help you minimize potential delays and optimize the application process.

Is processing time different for EB-1A vs. EB-1B visas?

No, the processing time is generally the same for both EB-1A (individuals with extraordinary ability) and EB-1B (outstanding professors and researchers) petitions. Both categories are processed using Form I-140 and follow the same typical timeline: 6-12 months for regular processing, or 15 business days with premium processing. However, the complexity of your case or the strength of supporting evidence may impact processing time for your specific petition.

Can I file for an EB-1 visa without a lawyer?

Yes, it is possible to file for an EB-1 visa without a lawyer. You or your employer can submit Form I-140 to petition for EB-1 status. However, because of the complexity of the EB-1 visa requirements and the importance of a well-supported application, many applicants choose to work with an experienced immigration attorney to increase their chances of approval and minimize the potential for delays and/or denials. 

Can an EB-1 visa lead to a green card?

Yes, the EB-1 visa is an immigrant petition, meaning it leads directly to permanent residency (or, in other words, a green card). Once your EB-1 visa petition is approved (and provided you meet all the necessary requirements and your application is successfully processed), you are on your way to obtaining permanent residency in the U.S. After the I-140 approval, you will need to either (1) apply for adjustment of status in the United States (Form I-485); or (2) apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad (Form DS-260

What about EB-1 visa processing for dependents?

If you’re planning on bringing your family with you to the U.S., once your EB-1 application is approved, your spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 need to go through the same process of either (1) applying for adjustment of status in the United States (Form I-485); or (2) applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad (Form DS-260.

Your dependents do not need separate I-140 petitions. Your approved I-140 will form the basis of the entire family’s green card applications. However, each family member will need their own separate I-485 or DS-260, depending on which process they choose. It is also possible to have some people applying inside the U.S. while others process through the consulate abroad.