ISSS Deadlines & Processing Times
ISSS kindly asks that immigration processing requests are made with plenty of time to spare, as government processing times are unchangeable and unpredictable. Please utilize the resources provided in the Immigration section of our site to see what documents are necessary for various processes.
- To minimize processing times, please send complete applications with all required documents attached.
- ISSS internal processing times will vary depending on application volume.
- If the application is not submitted to ISSS in a timely fashion, ISSS cannot guarantee that the application will be processed and/or filed in a timely manner or at the requested time.
If you are looking for USCIS Processing Times, please visit the USCIS Website.
General Documents
Document Type
Submission Deadline
Processing Times
Social Security Number
3 business days in advance
Available next business day
Invitation Letter
A week in advance
3-5 business days
Student Status Verification Letter
A week in advance
3-5 business days
F-1 Student Status
Document Type
Submission Deadline
Processing Times
Initial Admission I-20
Upon receipt of ISSS I-20 application email
3 weeks after receipt of completed application (longer during peak times)
Dependent I-20
A week in advance
5 business days
Extension/Revision I-20
At least 30 days prior to current I-20 end date
3-5 business days
OPT I-20
Varies depending on pre or post completion
3-5 business days
CPT I-20
At least 2 weeks before job start date
3-5 business days
Return from Departure/Withdrawal I-20
2 months before your return
3 weeks
ELP I-20
N/A
5 business days
J-1 Student Status
Document Type
Submission Deadline
Processing Times
Initial Admission DS-2019
Upon receipt of ISSS J-1 application email
3 weeks after receipt of completed application (longer during peak times)
Dependent DS-2019
A week in advance
5 business days
Extension/Revision DS-2019
At least 30 days prior to DS-2019 end date
3-5 business days
Academic Training
Before completing studies or the DS-2019 end date, whichever is earlier
3-5 business days
J-1 Scholar Status
Document Type
Submission Deadline
Processing Times
DS-2019
3-4 months in advance (submitted by Hosting Department)
3 weeks
J-1 Scholar Transfer
4-6 weeks in advance (processed on specific date that scholar is “released” from prior institution)
3 weeks
Extension/Revision DS-2019
45 days prior to DS-2019 end date (submitted by Hosting Department)
3 weeks
H-1B Employee
Document Type
Submission Deadline
Processing Times
Any H-1B
6-7 months in advance, but AT LEAST 90 days, before status expiration date/start of employment (submitted by Hiring Department)
6-12 weeks (including Department of Labor prevailing wage and LCA processing before filing petition with USCIS)
*Please Note: Premium Processing Fee expedites only H-1B processing at USCIS. Please allow additional time for the notice to arrive.
Permanent Residency
The hiring department should consult ISSS prior to making a decision to sponsor their employees for permanent residency.
Below are the processing times from the different sources regarding Permanent Residency Applications:
Department of Labor Processing Time for PERM Applications
4-10 months – may take longer, especially if selected for an audit (not uncommon at present)
USCIS I-140 Processing Time for All PR cases
6-18 months
The employee is responsible for filing I-485 or consular processing