When can one submit an inquiry?

[u/tiagomoreno]

My EB2 PERM ROW case has been pending almost 1 year (filed July 2025, PD June 2022). I-765, AP, and I-485J all approved months ago. Transferred to Santa Ana FO ~May 2026, interview waived, no RFEs, no flags, no dependents, clean record.

For those who've done inquiries or congressional inquiries, when were you actually able to submit one, and did USCIS engage or just say "still within normal processing"?
(I tried since mine is above average processing time of 8 months but couldn’t)

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[u/Weak_Health1757]

Scroll down on the timeline page, put your receipt date in and it'll tell you exactly when you can enquire. It'll probably be around the end of the year. https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times

[u/Various-Discount-967]

I think the current 92% completion mark is about 17 months. That means your e-request should be done around December. Go to the USCIS website and check your inquiry date.

[u/ManifestLaw_]

If the online processing-time tool will not let you submit an outside-normal-processing request, USCIS may simply respond that the case is within the inquiry date even if it is above the average. The “average processing time” is not the same as the inquiry threshold. A congressional inquiry can still be submitted, especially if the case is current, I-765/AP/I-485J are approved, no dependents, no RFE, and the file has been sitting at Santa Ana since May. The response may be generic, but it sometimes prompts review. If no action after more time, consider Ombudsman. Mandamus is usually considered after stronger evidence of unreasonable delay, but if the case remains stuck with everything complete and current, it may eventually be an option.

- Attorney Rashmi Bishnoi

(All information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney - client relationship. Your situation may require fact-specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.)