I-751 Processing Time 2026
I-751 — Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
Typical processing time
12–20 months
Most cases land around 16 months. Ranges vary by service center, field office, and category.
Data snapshot as of July 2026 — check the official USCIS tool for your specific office and category.
What the I-751 is
Marriage-based green cards issued before the second wedding anniversary are conditional and valid for 2 years. The I-751 removes those conditions and converts the card to a regular 10-year green card.
Who files it: Conditional residents (usually jointly with the U.S.-citizen spouse) in the 90-day window before the 2-year card expires; waiver filings are possible after divorce or abuse.
Why I-751 cases get delayed
- The I-751 is one of the slowest common forms — 1.5+ years is normal, and some cases run longer.
- Thin evidence of an ongoing shared life triggers RFEs or interviews.
- Waiver cases (filed without the spouse) get closer scrutiny and usually an interview.
Practical tips for I-751 filers
- Your receipt notice extends conditional resident status (currently by 48 months) — keep it with your expired card for work and travel.
- Keep collecting joint evidence during the entire conditional period: leases, taxes, insurance, accounts, photos.
- If you become eligible to naturalize while the I-751 is pending, you can file the N-400 — the interview is often combined.
Waiting longer than 20 months?
If your receipt date is older than the official case inquiry date for your office, you can submit an “outside normal processing time” request. See how the case inquiry date works →