The date on the calendar circled the six-month anniversary of the interview. Elena didn't check the portal. She didn't want to see the same word again. She spent the morning cleaning the apartment, trying to scrub away the stagnant energy of the last half-year.
| Visa Category | Typical AP Duration (Median) | % Resolved Within 6 Months | |---------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------| | B-1/B-2 (Tourist/Business) | 45–75 days | ~85% | | F-1 / J-1 (Student/Exchange) | 30–60 days | ~90% | | H-1B / L-1 (Work Visas) | 90–150 days | ~70% | | K-1 (Fiancé(e)) | 100–180 days | ~65% | | Green Card (Immigrant Visa) | 120–200 days | ~55% |
According to the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, the majority of administrative processing cases are resolved within of the visa interview. When cases exceed this, they rarely drag on indefinitely. The date on the calendar circled the six-month
While a small percentage of cases may take longer due to specific security clearances or complex background checks, data and official sources confirm that a 6-month timeline covers the vast majority of resolutions.
Are you currently waiting on a specific , or has your case already passed the 180-day mark? She spent the morning cleaning the apartment, trying
If a case stays in "Administrative Processing" status on the CEAC tracker for more than 6 months, it is often due to highly specific, complex legal issues or missing documentation that the applicant has yet to provide. Tips for Applicants in Processing
If you hear “most AP is resolved within 6 months (verified),” here’s how to use (and not use) that information: While a small percentage of cases may take
If you work in sensitive fields like AI, nuclear physics, or biotech, your clearance may take the full 6 months due to export control reviews.