US immigration application backlog in 2025: 11.3 million applications

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has just announced a record figure: 11.3 million US immigration applications are pending in the backlog – the highest level ever recorded.

This figure is not merely a dry statistic; it reflects the reality of millions of people living in uncertain waiting states, from families longing for reunion to professionals seeking career opportunities in the United States.

This 2025 US immigration backlog directly affects almost all migration categories. Applicants face wait times years longer than expected, whether for family sponsorship, employment-based routes, green card renewals, visa applications or work permits. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the causes, impacts and measures being implemented to resolve this crisis.

Overview of the USCIS application backlog

According to official data from the USCIS for the 2025 fiscal year (from 01/10/2024 to 30/09/2025), the application processing status is as follows:

• 7,082,007 applications newly submitted
• 5,178,216 applications approved
• 531,296 applications refused
• 11,316,574 applications pending (backlog)
• 5,805,658 applications completed

This figure of 11.3 million pending applications does not include another serious issue: “frontlog” – a term referring to applications that have been received but not yet opened or officially entered into the processing system. For the first time in over a year, USCIS reported over 34,000 applications in this state, creating a severe bottleneck across almost all immigration categories.

Causes of the record backlog

Several factors contribute to the current backlog crisis. First, immigration applications surged after the COVID-19 pandemic as immigration operations resumed. In addition, staffing shortages at USCIS combined with complex manual processing procedures have slowed approval rates.

A paper filing system accumulated over many years also poses a major burden. As new applications are continuously submitted before older ones are processed, the backlog worsens. This results in prolonged waiting times, sometimes reaching several years for certain application types.

Federal government reform measures

Recognising the severity of the issue, the new administration has implemented reform measures to accelerate processing times and reduce the 2025 US immigration application backlog.

Application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology

One of the most notable changes is expanding the use of AI systems in application assessment. When the system scans all required documents and verifies the accuracy of the information, part of the approval process can be automated. This is particularly effective for files with IOE (Immigration Online Entry) numbers – applications submitted and stored fully online.

IOE applications are processed significantly faster than traditional paper files. Digitisation not only saves time but also reduces human error, while enabling more transparent tracking of progress.

Workload redistribution

USCIS has implemented a policy of transferring files from overloaded service centres to those with lighter workloads. For IOE-coded files, this distribution happens much faster and more efficiently than shipping cumbersome paper files between centres.

This strategy helps balance the workload, make full use of available resources, and shorten waiting times for applicants.

Shortening I-140 processing times

The most noticeable change is in the processing time for Form I-140 (employment-based permanent residency petition). Previously, the average approval time for this type of application was 10-15 months. Today, this figure has dropped to 3-5 months for the majority of cases. However, note that not all files are processed this quickly, as exceptions remain depending on the complexity of the file.

New bottleneck at the National Visa Center (NVC)

Although shortening I-140 processing times is good news, it has unintentionally created a new problem: overcrowding at the National Visa Center (NVC), as the number of petitions I-140 approved surges 3-5 times per month, files transferred to the NVC for the next step (submitting Form DS-260) also increase accordingly, exceeding its handling capacity.

System upgrades and service disruptions

The situation is further complicated as the US Department of State has recently undergone a large-scale visa system upgrade. This process has led to comprehensive changes in interface, procedures, and occasional temporary service disruptions. Applicants must familiarise themselves with the new system while facing uncertainty during this transition.

Four different DS-260 processing scenarios

In recent months, the NVC’s DS-260 processing system has undergone four changes, creating different scenarios for newly approved I-140 petitions:

• Scenario 1: The NVC sends a DS-260 case number notification letter along with visa fee information for each applicant. The system allows payment and completion of Form DS-260 immediately. This is the ideal situation – applicants can proceed with the next steps without obstacles.
• Scenario 2: The NVC sends a DS-260 case number notification letter without attaching visa fee information. However, the system still allows payment and completion of Form DS-260. Although slightly unusual, applicants can still complete the process.
• Scenario 3: The NVC sends a DS-260 case number notification letter without fee information, and the system does not allow payment or completion of Form DS-260. Applicants are left in a state of “waiting” without knowing for how long. This is currently a very common situation.
• Scenario 4: The NVC has not sent a DS-260 case number notification letter at all, even though more than 30 days have passed since I-140 approval. Applicants can only continue to wait with no way to accelerate progress.

Chaos and the element of “luck”

What is concerning is that processing over the past 6 months has been extremely chaotic and unpredictable. Law firms and immigration advisers can only monitor and record specific cases without being able to draw general conclusions or provide precise advice.

Some applicants whose I-140 petitions were approved 4-6 months ago fall into Scenario 3 or 4 (unable to submit DS-260). Conversely, others whose I-140 was approved just 2-3 weeks ago are fortunate enough to fall into Scenario 1 or 2 (able to proceed immediately). This appears to depend entirely on luck – whichever processing batch your file falls into at the NVC.

Although the system states that if no DS-260 case number notification is received after 30 days an inquiry can be submitted, in practice these are rarely processed because the NVC is genuinely overwhelmed. Inquiries often receive no response or only generic replies advising applicants to “continue waiting”.

Future forecast: Will the DS-260 open under Chart B?

One key analysis of the current situation relates to the proposed provisions in the Dignity Act bill. As mentioned in previous analyses, although USCIS is making efforts to process applications faster, everything remains constrained by annual visa quotas set by immigration law.

This means that regardless of how quickly the I-140 is approved, applicants must still wait until their Priority Date becomes current according to the monthly Visa Bulletin.

Potential application of Chart B for employment-based categories

Although there is no official announcement from the NVC, based on the current situation, it is highly likely that employment-based immigration categories will adopt a mechanism similar to family-sponsored categories. Specifically, Form DS-260 will only be open for filing based on Chart B (Dates for Filing) instead of Chart A (Final Action Dates).

Chart B usually precedes Chart A by a few months, sometimes up to 6-12 months depending on the country and visa category. This means applicants can start filing Form DS-260 earlier than waiting for their priority date to become current under Chart A. However, they must still wait for Chart A to be scheduled for an interview and issued their final visa.

Impact on applicants

For those falling into Scenarios 3 and 4 (unable to submit DS-260), the waiting period will be prolonged. They will need to wait patiently until:

1. The NVC opens the system to allow fee payment and DS-260 submission
2. Their Priority Date becomes current under Chart B
3. Finally, when Chart A becomes current, their interview will be scheduled

Meanwhile, those fortunate enough to fall into Scenarios 1 and 2 have already completed Form DS-260 and are awaiting the next step. This disparity creates an unwanted inequality among applicants in similar circumstances.

Advice for applicants

Amid record-high US immigration backlogs in 2025, applicants should prepare themselves for a longer journey than expected. Below are some practical recommendations:

Patience and regular monitoring

The most important thing is to remain calm and patient. The current situation is not the fault of any individual but the result of various objective factors. Regularly check your email and online account so you do not miss any important notifications from USCIS or the NVC.

Keep contact details updated

Ensure your contact information is always updated in the system. If there are changes to your address, phone number, or email, notify USCIS and the NVC immediately. Missing important notifications due to outdated contact details could result in your file being moved to the back of the queue or even cancelled.

Consult immigration experts

Given today’s complex and constantly changing environment, consulting an experienced immigration lawyer or specialist is vital. They can provide the most up-to-date information, answer questions specific to your situation, and help you make sound decisions.

Do not submit inquiries unnecessarily

Although an inquiry can be submitted after 30 days without a response, given the current NVC overload, this is rarely effective. Consult an expert before deciding to submit an inquiry to avoid wasting time and effort.

Conclusion

The 2025 US immigration backlog of 11.3 million pending applications represents an unprecedented challenge in American immigration history. Although the government has been implementing reform measures such as AI adoption, workload redistribution, and shortened processing times, the road ahead remains full of difficulties.

While shortening I-140 approval times is a positive sign, it has created a new bottleneck at the NVC. The confusion surrounding access to the DS-260 system, with four different processing scenarios over the past 6 months, indicates that the system is in a period of transition and adjustment.

For applicants, the most important thing is to prepare for a longer journey than expected, stay updated, and seek professional advice when necessary. Although green cards continue to be approved steadily, given the current massive backlog, congestion at the NVC will persist for the foreseeable future.

Information in this article is based on data and actual observations as of March 2025. The situation may change, and much of the information requires further verification. Readers should contact their application agency or immigration lawyer directly for updated information and advice tailored to their specific case.