I-821D DACA Renewal Processing Times 2026 — Current Wait by Service Center | USVisaStack

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⚠️ Not legal advice. Processing times change frequently. Always verify at USCIS.gov. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case.

Last updated: July 22, 2026. Data refreshed weekly from USCIS.gov processing-time pages. USVisaStack is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of Labor, or the Department of State.

I-821D Processing Times by Service Center

Service Center	Category	Processing Range	Data Date
No data available — check USCIS.gov

Source: USCIS.gov. Data updated regularly.

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About I-821D — Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Form I-821D is used for: DACA. Processing times vary by USCIS service center and petition volume.

Premium processing (Form I-907) is available for many I-821D petitions — it guarantees a decision within 15 business days for an additional fee (currently $2,965).

What Is Form I-821D and Who Files It?

Form I-821D is the request for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — a prosecutorial discretion policy that defers removal action for eligible individuals who were brought to the United States as children. DACA is not a visa, not a lawful immigration status, and does not provide a path to a green card on its own. It is a renewable 2-year deferral that allows recipients to live and work in the US without fear of removal during the deferral period.

Eligibility requires meeting several criteria: having entered the US before age 16, having lived continuously in the US since June 15, 2007, being under 31 years old as of June 15, 2012, being currently enrolled in school or having graduated, and having no disqualifying criminal history. I-821D must always be filed with Form I-765 (EAD request) concurrently.

DACA status is currently subject to ongoing litigation. Monitor USCIS.gov for any program status changes or court-ordered suspensions that may affect your renewal timeline or eligibility.

What the I-821D Processing Time Means in Practice

DACA decisions are administrative — no in-person interview is required for renewals in good standing. USCIS adjudicates renewals through background checks and review of the application package. During processing, prior DACA status and work authorization generally continue under "pending renewal" provisions if the renewal was filed before expiration.

Processing time is affected by USCIS workload and any policy changes under current or future administrations. File early — at least 120 days before your current DACA expires — to ensure your work authorization does not lapse during processing.

What to Do While Your DACA Renewal Is Pending

File at least 120 days before expiration: This buffer provides time for processing and prevents any gap in your work authorization or DACA status.
Keep your address current: File AR-11 if you move. All USCIS notices are mailed, and your biometrics appointment will go to the address on file.
Do not travel internationally without approved advance parole: Departing the US without an approved I-131 (advance parole) terminates DACA status — even with a pending renewal.
Monitor USCIS.gov for program updates: DACA is subject to ongoing litigation and administrative changes. Check uscis.gov/daca regularly for any policy developments that could affect your status or renewal eligibility.
File I-131 concurrently if you plan to travel: Advance parole processing for DACA recipients takes 4–7 months. File I-131 with your I-821D renewal and do not make travel plans until advance parole is approved and in hand.

DACA and Travel: What You Need to Know

Traveling outside the United States without approved advance parole (Form I-131) terminates DACA status. This applies even to brief trips — a single day outside US borders counts. With DACA advance parole approved, travel is permitted for humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes.

Advance parole for DACA recipients takes 4–7 months to process. Always file Form I-131 concurrently with your I-821D renewal. Do not book or plan any international travel until your advance parole document is approved and physically in your possession. Traveling on a pending advance parole application — one that has not yet been approved — does not protect your DACA status.

If you travel abroad with advance parole and an immigration officer at the border questions your return, having your complete DACA documentation (EAD card, I-821D approval notice, I-131 advance parole document) available helps facilitate reentry.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does I-821D DACA renewal processing take in 2026?

As of April 2026, I-821D DACA renewal processing takes 4–10 months at most USCIS lockbox locations. Processing times vary significantly by service center and current case volume. Renewal applications filed with a prior DACA approval in good standing typically process faster (4–6 months) than initial requests. USCIS has been processing DACA renewals more consistently since the 2023 injunction reinstating the program. Check current times at usvisastack.ai/processing-times/i-821d. Note: Always file at least 120 days before your current DACA expires to avoid a lapse in work authorization.

Can I work with pending DACA?

While your DACA renewal is pending and you have not received a new EAD, you cannot work without employment authorization. If your prior DACA has expired and you have a pending renewal, you may be able to continue working under the "pending renewal" provision if: the renewal was filed before the prior DACA expired, and your EAD category code still covers your current employment. If your DACA has been expired for more than one year, you may not qualify for pending renewal work authorization. Consult a immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative before assuming you can work while renewal is pending.

What is the I-821D DACA filing fee?

As of April 2026: $495 base fee for I-821D (DACA request). An additional $85 biometric services fee applies (total: $580). Fee waivers are available for applicants with household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines — use Form I-912 to request a fee waiver. The I-765 (work permit) is typically filed concurrently with I-821D for $520 additional, for a total of $1,100 when requesting both DACA status and work authorization together.

What happens if my DACA renewal is denied?

If your DACA renewal is denied, you will receive a denial notice explaining the reason. Common reasons for denial include: failure to maintain continuous residence in the US, prior criminal history that did not appear in the initial request, changes in the law since your prior approval, or insufficient documentation. You cannot appeal a DACA denial — but you may request reconsideration or file a new initial request if circumstances change. A denial does not necessarily mean you must leave the US — consult an immigration attorney before taking any action. DACA denial may also affect your work authorization if you have pending I-765.

Can I travel abroad with DACA?

Traveling abroad with DACA is only possible if you have an approved Advance Parole (Form I-131) before departing the US. DACA recipients who travel without advance parole generally lose their DACA status upon departure — the act of leaving US territory triggers an end to DACA. With advance parole, you can travel for humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes and return to the US without abandoning your DACA. File I-131 concurrently with your I-821D renewal and await approval before making any travel plans. Advance parole processing for DACA typically takes 4–7 months.

I-821D Processing Time — Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals 2026