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.
Note: A case is considered late if not received by DIS with sufficient time to process according to the below charts.
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
| Case/Visa Type | DIS Processing Times (In Business Days) | Requires USCIS approval? | Requires DOS approval? | Requires other approval? |
|---|
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. |
Revised 10/2024
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