AAO Processing Times Report for February 2016

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) has released its AAO processing times report for February of 2016 [link]. The AAO is the highest administrative review agency for immigration matters under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Petitioners and applicants for certain immigration benefits may appeal a negative or adverse decision to the AAO.

The office that first issued the unfavorable decision will conduct an “initial field review” of the appeal. This initial field review should be completed within 45 days. If it does not render a favorable decision, it will forward the appeal to the AAO. The AAO processing times news release explains that appellants may contact the USCIS to “inquire about a case if, within 75 days of filing an appeal, USCIS has not sent any of the following:”

An approval notice;
A request for evidence;
A Notice of Transfer to the AAO;
Any other correspondence or action from the field office.

However, the AAO will not be able to provide case status information on appeals where the initial field review is pending.

The following are the AAO processing times as of February 1, 2016:

With the exception of appeals concerning the Form I-129F or the Form N-600 (7 months), appellants should expect the AAO to render decisions on appeals within 6 months of being forwarded the case.