DIS

DIS

Administrative Staff Title Divider

DIS Processing Time Chart

Administrative Staff

Case Processing Times

Using This Chart

To use this chart, locate the type of case or request that you filed in the leftmost column under the heading “Case/Visa Type.” The second column, “DIS Processing Time,” shows the average time it takes DIS to process that type of case. In addition, the chart indicates if other agencies or organizations are involved in the process.

DIS processing times begin when a complete request is received in our office. However, in some instances, a complete request may take longer than the printed times due to the uniqueness of the case. Please note that unless otherwise indicated, all days listed in the chart are “business” days. If you don’t hear from us before the end of the posted processing times, please reach out to DIS.

To find the day that DIS received your case, your Institute/Center's (IC) Key Contact (KC) can access the DIS Customer Portal. See About DIS Processing Times for more information on choosing a realistic start date, checking the status of a case, and other questions.

A chart showing the workflow for case processing can be found in the Poster Gallery.

Processing Times of Other Agencies

If your request requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval, select the applicable Form and Service Center from the USCIS website for average processing times.

For H-1B, O-1 and TN petitions, select Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker and see the chart below to determine the service center.
For J-1 Change of Status applications, select Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and see the chart below to determine the service center.

If your request requires Department of State (DOS) approval, refer to DOS website for information on visa appointment wait times and processing. Notify DIS if a scientist’s visa application is pending with DOS for more than 60 days.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Requests
Case/Visa Type	DIS Processing Times (In Business Days)	Requires USCIS approval?	Requires DOS approval?	Requires other approval?
New J-1: Abroad	35 days	No	Yes	No
New J-1: Transfer-In (within the U.S.)	35 days SEVIS transfers may take longer.	No	No	Yes - requires SEVIS release by current J-1 sponsor
New J-1: Change of Status (within the U.S.)	35 days	Yes – usually Vermont Service Center	No	No
Renewal J-1: Extension up to 5 years	35 days	No	No	No
Renewal J-1: Extension beyond 5 years	Submit at least 180 calendar days before J-1 expiration date	No	Yes - requires advance DOS approval	Yes – requires NIH G-7 Peer Review before DOS review. Click to learn more.
Current J-1: Transfer OUT of NIH within the U.S.)	35 days – Requires DIS to transfer in SEVIS for release to another J-1 sponsor	No	No	No
New or Renewal J-1 sponsored by ECFMG (in an NIH clinical training program	35 days	No – However, some requests require USCIS approval for a Change of Status. Determined by DIS on a case-by-case basis.	No – If Exchange Visitor is in the U.S. Yes – If the Exchange Visitor is Abroad	Yes – requires approval by ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates)
H-1B Temporary Worker Requests
Case/Visa Type	DIS Processing Times (In Business Days)	Requires USCIS approval?	Requires DOS approval?	Requires other approval?
New H-1B Abroad	60 days	Yes - usually California Service Center	Yes – requires visa from U.S. Consulate (Citizens of Canada are visa exempt)	Yes - requires Prevailing Wage determination and Department of Labor certification on Labor Condition Application (LCA) Note: Processing times will be significantly impacted if the scientist needs to apply for a waiver of the 212(e) Home Residence Requirement.
New H-1B: Portability (transfer within U.S.; switching employers)	60 days		No
New H-1B: Change of Status (within the U.S.)	60 days		No
Renewal H-1B: Extension	60 days		No
O-1 Alien of Extraordinary Ability Requests
Case/Visa Type	DIS Processing Times (In Business Days)	Requires USCIS approval?	Requires DOS approval?	Requires other approval?
New O-1: Abroad	60 Days – Contingent upon submission of all evidence for O-1 petition. The DIS processing times may be adjusted for any necessary revisions	Yes – usually Vermont Service Center	Yes – requires visa from U.S. Consulate (Citizens of Canada are visa exempt)	No
New O-1: Transfer (within U.S.; switching employers)			No	No
New O-1: Change of Status (within U.S.)			No	No
Renewal O-1: Extension			No	No
TN Professionals
Case/Visa Type	DIS Processing Times (In Business Days)	Requires USCIS approval?	Requires DOS approval?	Requires other approval?
New TN: Abroad	45 days	No	Yes – requires visa from U.S. Consulate for citizens of Mexico (Citizens of Canada are visa exempt)	No
New TN: Transfer (switching employers)	45 days	Yes – usually Vermont Service Center	Yes – if transfer, change, or extension occurs by travel (i.e. by exit and re-entry to the U.S.); requires visa from U.S. Consulate for citizens of Mexico (Citizens of Canada are visa exempt).	No
New TN: Change of Status	45 days			No
Renewal TN: Extension	45 days			No
B-1/WB Temporary Visitor Requests
Case/Visa Type	DIS Processing Times (In Business Days)	Requires USCIS approval?	Requires DOS approval?	Requires other approval?
New B-1: Abroad	35 days	No	Yes – requires visa from U.S. Consulate (Citizens of Canada are visa exempt)	No
Renewal B-1: Extension	35 days	Yes – usually Vermont Service Center	No	No
New WB: Abroad	35 days	No - Click to learn.	No	No
Renewal WB: Extension	Renewals or Extensions of WB status are not allowed.
All Other Requests
Case/Visa Type	DIS Processing Times (In Business Days)	Requires USCIS approval?	Requires DOS approval?	Requires other approval?
F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)	30 days – after submitting valid OPT approval & EAD	Yes – usually Vermont Service Center	No	Yes – requires recommendation from the school's Designated School Official (DSO)
F-1 Other	30 days – after submitting evidence of work authorization	No	No	Yes – requires approval from the school's DSO
All EAD holders	30 days – after submitting valid EAD	Yes – usually Vermont Service Center	No	No
Request for Outside Activity	30 days	No	No	May require approval by the NIH Office of Intramural Research. See form for specific instructions.
Request for Extended Absence from NIH	30 days – DIS must enter extended absence abroad in SEVISfor NIH-sponsored J-1 EVs	No	No	May require approval by the NIH Office of Intramural Research. See form for specific instructions.
Request for Dependent DS-2019
Dependent is Abroad	35 days	No	Yes, to obtain visa	No
Change of Status	35 days	Yes	No	No
NOTES	Abroad: The foreign scientist is overseas and not currently in the U.S. Change of Status: The foreign scientist is switching from one immigration classification (e.g. J-1) to another (e.g. H-1B) while remaining inside the U.S. Extension: The foreign scientist is already at NIH and continuing his/her stay. This is also known as a 'renewal'. Portability: The foreign scientist is currently in the U.S. in H-1B status with another employer and changing to NIH as the new employer. Under portability, the H-1B foreign scientist may be able to begin employment with NIH shortly after the DIS/ORS files an H-1B petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for new employment at NIH. If the foreign scientist qualifies for portability (check with DIS to determine eligibility), NIH does not have to wait for USCIS to approve the new employment, and thus the foreign scientist can transfer or "port" his/her current H-1B to NIH. SEVIS: SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the Department of Homeland Security's internet-based database that allows for electronic transmission of information and events about J-1 Exchange Visitors. It enables NIH to issue the Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Status. Transfer: The foreign scientist is switching from one U.S. employer or sponsor to NIH.