If you are waiting on a U visa petition, the latest USCIS data may offer some cautious encouragement: the national median time from receipt to a bona fide determination review fell to about 19.8 months in fiscal year 2026 through August 30, down from 26.3 months in fiscal year 2025. This does not mean final U visa approval now takes 19.8 months, and it does not change the legal requirements or the annual visa limit.

This information matters most to principal U visa petitioners and qualifying family members with pending Forms I-918 or I-918A. Your concern about a long silence is understandable, but the data show an operational trend—not a rule canceling pending cases.

Plain-English Explanation

A U visa is a humanitarian immigration benefit for certain victims of qualifying criminal activity who meet specific requirements, including helpfulness to law enforcement. A bona fide determination, often called a BFD, is an initial USCIS review of whether a pending petition appears complete and genuine enough for the agency to consider discretionary employment authorization and deferred action while the petition remains pending.

Think of the BFD as an early checkpoint on a long road. Reaching that checkpoint may provide temporary stability, but it is not the finish line and does not guarantee final approval. Since fiscal year 2022, USCIS has measured its historical Form I-918 processing time from receipt to the BFD review—not from filing to a final U visa decision.

The immigration practice at SanSha Law Office assists people nationwide with humanitarian immigration questions, including U visa matters.

Practical Impact

The drop from 26.3 months to 19.8 months suggests USCIS completed BFD reviews more quickly. A median is a midpoint, not a deadline or personalized prediction.

Example 1: A crime victim filed Form I-918 and later saw the national median fall below two years. That change may be encouraging, but it does not establish when this person's review will occur or whether USCIS will grant a BFD-based employment authorization document.

If uncertainty about a pending U visa petition is affecting your work, family, or safety planning, a consultation can help you understand what the published data do—and do not—say about your circumstances.

What We Know vs. What's Still Developing

We know USCIS reports a 19.8-month national historical median for Form I-918 and I-918A BFD reviews in fiscal year 2026 through August 30. The fiscal year 2025 median was 26.3 months. USCIS says historical figures may change as its systems update.

We also know a BFD is separate from final U nonimmigrant status. Federal law limits principal U visas to 10,000 per fiscal year, so final adjudication can remain much longer.

What is still developing is whether the improved median will continue as USCIS completes more cases. The agency's data do not promise the same result for every service center, receipt date, family member, or case with additional evidence or background issues.

Example 2: Two applicants may file in the same month, yet one receives a BFD-based decision sooner because the record is complete and background checks are resolved. The other may receive a request for evidence or move toward waiting-list review instead, so the national midpoint cannot explain the difference by itself.

Why Legal Strategy Still Matters

U visa cases are highly fact-specific. Eligibility can depend on the qualifying criminal activity, the harm suffered, helpfulness to a certifying agency, the law-enforcement certification, admissibility issues, family relationships, and discretionary considerations. A BFD review does not replace that full legal analysis.

Applicants may also receive different types of notices during the wait. A receipt notice, biometrics notice, request for evidence, BFD notice, employment authorization document, waiting-list notice, and final approval each mean something different. Legal review can clarify a notice without promising an outcome or timeline.

What This Could Look Like For You

• Your Form I-918 has been pending, and the online status has shown little or no recent movement.
• You received a bona fide determination notice and want to understand how it differs from final U visa approval.
• You are a qualifying family member whose Form I-918A is being reviewed with the principal petition.
• You received a request for evidence or another notice and are unsure how it affects the BFD process.

Common Misunderstanding

A 19.8-month median does not mean USCIS must approve a U visa—or even complete every BFD review—within 19.8 months. It describes the midpoint among reviews USCIS completed during the reporting period. It does not erase the annual cap, guarantee employment authorization, confer U status, or prove that a case taking longer has been denied.

Questions People Are Asking

Does a bona fide determination mean my U visa is approved?

No. A BFD is a preliminary review that may support discretionary deferred action and employment authorization while the petition remains pending; final eligibility is decided later.

Does the shorter median apply to every pending U visa case?

No. Individual timing may vary based on receipt date, completeness, background checks, requests for evidence, operational workload, and other case-specific factors.

Can the published processing number change again?

Yes. USCIS says historical processing estimates can change as systems and post-adjudicative information are updated, so applicants should rely on current official sources.

Sources

• USCIS — Historical National Median Processing Times
• USCIS Policy Manual — Bona Fide Determination Process
• USCIS — U Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide

For more information about nationwide representation, visit About SanSha Law Office or review the firm's consultation page.

If you are unsure how these changes affect your case, the immigration attorneys at SanSha Law Office can help you understand your options and plan for timely renewals.

We hope this information helps you feel more confident as you navigate the immigration process. If you have any questions or need assistance with your specific case, contact us at SanSha Law Office today at 469-777-6161. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started or for a consultation — we're ready to help you move forward.

Disclaimer

We regularly update our blog section to acquaint the community with the latest changes in Immigration policies. Please note the information in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be nor should it be construed as legal advice. We can promptly and efficiently represent clients located anywhere in the US or abroad on US Immigration Policies. If you seek further clarification, don't hesitate to contact SanSha Law Office at [email protected] or call us at 469-777-6161.