As of January 2019, USCIS National Benefits Center (NBC) has been experiencing long delays in adjudicating Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization and Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. According to the NBC, I-765 applications that have pending I-485 adjustment of status applications have a processing time between 4 to 6 months. All other I-765 applications are reporting a processing time between 6.5 to 8 months while I-131 applications are experiencing a 4-6 month processing range. However, immigration attorneys who have filed concurrent I-765 and I-131 applications with the NBC have reported that such combined applications are experiencing processing times between 6-12 months.
Form I-765 and I-131 applications are eligible for expedited processing if they meet at least one USCIS expedition. These exceptions include, but are not limited to severe financial loss, emergency situations, and humanitarian reasons. To avail of expedited processing, such request should include documentation regarding the basis for the request beyond a single letter without providing supporting documentation for the applications to be expedited.