- USCIS has paused pending applications since April 27, 2026, to conduct renewed FBI security screenings.
- The hold utilizes existing fingerprints on file, so applicants generally do not need new biometrics appointments.
- Major forms affected include I-485 adjustments and N-400 naturalizations filed before the new vetting date.
(UNITED STATES) — USCIS cases appear to be moving slower after a new vetting hold began on April 27, 2026, with lawyers reporting that pending applications are being paused while officers re-submit fingerprints for renewed FBI security checks.
The change surfaced in an AILA alert circulated after attorneys reported holds at USCIS field offices and asylum offices nationwide. USCIS has not published a broad public notice describing the hold. Agency comments reported by attorneys indicate the new process uses fingerprints already on file. Applicants are not being asked to appear for new biometrics because of this step alone.
The reported USCIS Vetting Hold affects several major case types. That includes Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, naturalization cases filed on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and asylum matters. Officers are re-submitting fingerprints if the prior FBI check was completed before April 27, 2026.
One possible exception involves naturalization applicants who already have oath ceremonies scheduled. Attorneys say those cases may be allowed to proceed. USCIS has not confirmed that exemption publicly. The practical result is uncertainty for applicants who were expecting approval notices, interview decisions, or oath scheduling this week.
USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said the agency expanded access to federal criminal databases and instructed officers to re-submit fingerprints except in cases headed for denial. The agency described the delays as brief and said they should be resolved shortly. USCIS has not released a case count or a timetable.
This hold is separate from the adjudication pause tied to certain travel ban countries earlier in January 2026. It also arrives amid broader screening changes that USCIS has described in recent vetting guidance, including tighter biometric policies and shorter validity periods for some employment authorization documents.
Processing times shown by USCIS remain estimates, not guarantees. As of April 2026, the official tool at
More on Asylum
| Form / Case Type | Typical USCIS Estimate as of April 2026 | Effect of April 27 vetting hold |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-485 adjustment of status | Usually varies by field office and category, often 8 to 14 months | Pending cases may pause while fingerprints are re-submitted |
| Form N-400 naturalization | Usually varies by field office, often 6 to 12 months | Pending decisions may pause; oath-ceremony exemptions remain unconfirmed |
| Affirmative asylum cases | Timelines vary widely by office and interview scheduling | Field and asylum office adjudications may pause during re-vetting |
Several factors can extend a case even without the new hold. USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence, schedule an interview, or wait for background checks to clear. Local field office workload also matters. Posted processing times are estimates only, and individual cases vary by form category, office, and case history.
⏱️ Processing Time: USCIS processing times are estimates as of April 2026. Check the official tool at Applicants do not need to file a new form because of the hold. USCIS is using existing fingerprints already collected in the case. That point matters because missed appointments and duplicate filings create new delays. Filing a second application will not speed up security re-vetting.
The most useful step is basic case maintenance:
1. Check case status through a USCIS online account at Address updates matter immediately. Noncitizens generally must report an address change within 10 days. USCIS prefers the online change-of-address tool for pending cases. Paper updates remain possible through Form AR-11. Asylum applicants should also update the asylum or field office handling the case.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Do not assume mail forwarding through the Postal Service updates USCIS records. USCIS notices go to the address in its own system.
Expedite requests remain available in limited situations, but the standard is unchanged. USCIS generally considers expedite requests for severe financial loss, emergencies, urgent humanitarian reasons, nonprofit cultural interests, government interests, or clear USCIS error. A vetting hold by itself does not create an expedite approval. A request has a better chance when it includes documents showing a near-term deadline, medical urgency, or major financial harm.
Fees also remain the same unless USCIS announces otherwise. As of April 2026, examples include Form I-485 $1,225, which includes biometrics, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative $625, Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization $410, and Form N-400 $760. USCIS posts the current schedule at
? Current Fee: Verify every fee before filing at AILA members report the hold may reach almost all pending cases, and some lawyers say newly filed matters are also waiting behind older cases that need re-vetting first. A federal court in Maryland recently ruled against a related adjudication pause for some plaintiffs, which adds legal pressure around these broad processing freezes. USCIS has not said whether this new hold will be narrowed, lifted, or formalized in a public notice.
Applicants with pending cases should log in to , use the correct fee listed at
? Official Resources: Download forms at . Fees and processing times are subject to change, always verify current information at
Learn TodayVetting HoldA temporary pause in the processing of an application while additional security screenings or background checks are conducted.AILAThe American Immigration Lawyers Association, a national association of attorneys who practice and teach immigration law.BiometricsThe collection of physical characteristics, such as fingerprints and photographs, used for identity verification and background checks.AdjudicationThe formal legal process by which a government official reviews and makes a final decision on an immigration application.
