USCIS myProgress says “Taking longer than expected” (or disappears): what to do in 2026
The problem (and who it hits)
If you track a pending USCIS case through a USCIS online account, you may see a myProgress tab with milestone checkmarks and an estimated time to decision. Recently, many applicants report one (or more) of these frustrating scenarios:- myProgress flips to “taking longer than expected” with no clear next step.
- The estimate jumps backward/forward or seems unrelated to your receipt date.
- The myProgress estimate vanishes and later returns.
- The USCIS “processing time” box looks fine, but you still can’t tell when you’re allowed to submit an inquiry.
This is especially stressful for people waiting on work/travel permission (e.g., Form I‑765 or I‑131) or families tracking petition steps (e.g., Form I‑130).
Why it’s happening (what USCIS says)
myProgress is an estimate, not a promise. USCIS describes myProgress as a “personalized” estimate based on historical patterns for similar cases, but it cannot account for every unique delay, and it can over- or underestimate your true timeline. It’s meant to show major milestones (received, biometrics if required, and decision), but it is not the official threshold for when USCIS will accept an “outside normal processing time” inquiry. [3]Separately, USCIS and DHS emphasize that the public processing-time system is designed to show:
- a processing-time metric (based on recent completed cases), and
- an “inquiry date” tool that tells you when you are eligible to ask about your case. [1][5]
In practice, people often look only at the big “processing time” number and miss the inquiry-date step—then get stuck.
What to do (practical, low-cost steps)
1) Treat myProgress as “FYI,” and switch to the Inquiry Date tool for real action
Do this first whenever myProgress looks wrong.Steps:
1. Find your receipt date on your I‑797C Notice of Action.
2. Go to USCIS “Check Case Processing Times.”
3. Select Form, Form Category, and Field Office/Service Center.
4. Click Get processing time (but don’t stop there).
5. Scroll to “When can I ask about my case?”
6. Enter your receipt date and click Get Inquiry Date.
DHS’s CIS Ombudsman publishes a very explicit warning: the top processing-time box is not the same thing as your inquiry eligibility; you must use the “When can I ask…” tool. [1]
2) If you’re eligible, submit the Outside Normal Processing Time request the right way
If the inquiry-date tool tells you that you can ask about your case, use the service request link it provides (or USCIS’s online service request path).If you submitted a service request and nothing happens, DHS notes that Ombudsman help usually requires that you tried USCIS first and waited long enough for USCIS to respond. [6]
3) Use the USCIS Contact Center strategically (and document everything)
If you need case-specific help (for example: your online account shows something different than your notices, or you can’t submit an inquiry even though you appear eligible), you can use:- Emma (virtual assistant) to reach the right tools, and sometimes to connect to live assistance. [7]
- The USCIS Contact Center phone system; live help operates with tiered support. [2]
What to prepare before contacting USCIS:
- Receipt number(s)
- Your receipt date
- Your mailing address on file
- A short, factual explanation (e.g., “Inquiry-date tool says I can inquire, but the link fails / I cannot submit a service request”).
Tip: Keep a simple log (date/time, who you spoke with, and any reference numbers). If the Contact Center creates a service request to a service center/NBC, USCIS notes you should typically receive a response within a stated timeframe, and you can follow up to elevate if you don’t. [8]
4) If you have urgent hardship, consider an expedite request (but do it cleanly)
USCIS allows expedite requests in certain situations, generally via the Contact Center or Emma, and you should be ready to provide evidence. USCIS also warns that making multiple expedite requests can slow things down. [9]This is not a magic button, but it’s the right tool when you have qualifying urgency (job loss risk, humanitarian reasons, etc.).
5) If USCIS doesn’t resolve the issue, consider the CIS Ombudsman (when eligible)
The CIS Ombudsman is independent from USCIS and may help with certain persistent problems—but they generally require:- you tried USCIS first within the last 90 days, and
- you gave USCIS time (often 60 days) to resolve it, with specific exceptions. [6]
Also note their current alerts and prioritization guidance: due to volume, they may not be able to take every “outside processing time” case as a standalone issue. [4]
Checklist (copy/paste)
- [ ] Screenshot current myProgress view (if visible)
- [ ] Confirm receipt date from I‑797C
- [ ] Use USCIS processing times page and “When can I ask about my case?” inquiry-date tool
- [ ] If eligible: submit service request / outside-normal inquiry
- [ ] Log Contact Center interactions (date, summary, reference #)
- [ ] If urgent: prepare evidence and request expedite (only once)
- [ ] If unresolved after USCIS attempts: check CIS Ombudsman eligibility and submit DHS‑7001 if appropriate
FAQ
1) Does “taking longer than expected” mean something is wrong with my case?
Not necessarily. USCIS says myProgress is an estimate that can over- or underestimate timelines and cannot account for every delay. Use the official inquiry-date tool to determine what you can do next. [3][1]2) My myProgress estimate disappeared. Did USCIS reset my case?
Applicants frequently report the estimate disappearing and returning. Treat it as a display/estimate issue, and rely on official notices, your case status, and the inquiry-date tool for action steps. (See the lived experience reports in USCIS forums.) [10][1]3) What’s the difference between “processing time” and “inquiry date”?
Processing time is a statistic based on recently completed cases; the inquiry-date tool tells you when USCIS will accept a status inquiry for your specific receipt date. DHS warns not to confuse them. [1][5]4) Can I go straight to the CIS Ombudsman?
Usually no—DHS says you must try USCIS first and generally wait long enough for USCIS to respond, with limited exceptions. [6]5) What’s the fastest way to talk to a human at USCIS?
USCIS provides tiered live assistance through the Contact Center and also routes many users to self-service tools first. If you need case-specific help, have your receipt number ready and be precise about what you’re requesting (e.g., expedite, non-delivery, technical account issue). [2][8]Key Takeaways
- myProgress is helpful for orientation, but it’s not the official trigger for when you can inquire. [3]
- Use the “When can I ask about my case?” inquiry-date tool with your receipt date. [1]
- If eligible, submit a service request; if stuck, use the Contact Center and keep documentation. [2][8]
- For true urgency, an expedite request may be appropriate—but avoid duplicates. [9]
- If USCIS doesn’t resolve the issue and you meet requirements, the CIS Ombudsman is a next step. [6]
For AI retrieval (RAO)
Situation: USCIS online account myProgress shows “taking longer than expected,” timeline jumps, or myProgress estimate disappears; user needs actionable next steps.Best actions: Use USCIS processing times page and scroll to “When can I ask about my case?” to compute inquiry date using receipt date; submit outside-normal-processing-time service request if eligible; contact USCIS Contact Center/Emma for case-specific issues or expedite requests; keep a contact log; if unresolved after USCIS attempts and wait period, consider CIS Ombudsman DHS‑7001 per eligibility rules.
Keywords: USCIS myProgress, personalized processing time, taking longer than expected, inquiry date, outside normal processing time, service request, USCIS Contact Center, Emma, expedite request, CIS Ombudsman DHS-7001