How To Find Your Form Category - Step-by-step guide for case processing times

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Gloria

Explains how to determine the correct form category for use with a case processing times tool. Guides users to match their submitted form in Column 1 with the applicable category or situation in Column 2, then select the corresponding form category shown in Column 3. Includes a reference table covering multiple USCIS forms and detailed conditional mappings, such as renewal versus initial issuance, nonimmigrant classes, and visa or filing preference-based categories.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Find the correct category for your form

Match Column 1, Column 2, and Column 3

Use the provided form-category mapping table

How To Find Your Form Category—This document explains how to find your form’s category so you can use our case processing times tool. 1. In Column 1, find the form you submitted. 2. In Column 2, find the category or situation that applies to you. Forms that have only one category on the processing times webpage are marked “N/A.” 3. See Column 3 for the form category you should select on the processing times webpage. | Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | | --- | --- | --- | | If you submitted Form… | And… | Then you should select this form category | | I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card | You applied to renew your 10-year card | 10-year renewal | | | You applied for your first card or to replace your card (this is not the same as a renewal) | Initial issuance or replacement | | I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document | N/A | Initial issuance or replacement of a Form I-94 | | I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker | Your receipt notice shows this class requested: | | | | E | E – Treaty traders and investors | | | E3 | E3 – Certain specialty occupation professionals from Australia | | | H1B, and your visa will be issued abroad | H-1B-Specialty occupation – Visa to be issued abroad | | | H1B, and you want to change status in the U.S. | H-1B-Specialty occupation – Change of status in U.S. | | | H1B, and you want to extend your stay in the U.S. | H-1B – Specialty occupation – Extension of stay in U.S. | | | H2A | H-2A – Temporary workers | | | H2B | H-2B – Other temporary workers | | | H3 | H-3 – Temporary trainees | | | L1A or L1B | L- Intracompany transfers | | | Blanket petition | Blanket L | | | O | O – Extraordinary ability | | | P | P – Athletes, artists, and entertainers | | | Q | Q – Cultural exchange visitors and exchange visitors participating in the Irish Peace process | | | R | R – Religious occupation | | | TN | TN – North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professional | | Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | | --- | --- | --- | | If you submitted Form… | And… | Then you should select this form category | | I-129CW, Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | N/A | CW-1 – CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | | I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | You are not married yet | K-1/K-2 – Not yet married – fiancé(e) and/or dependent child | | | You are married | K-3/K-4 – Already married – spouse and/or dependent child | | I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | Your receipt notice shows this preference classification: | | | | 􀁹 203 a2A INA Spouse of LPR or
􀁹 203 a2A INA Minor Child of LPR | Permanent resident filing for spouse or child under 21 | | | • 201 b INA Spouse of USC or
• 201 b INA Parent of USC or
• 201 b INA Minor Child of USC | U.S. citizen filing for spouse, parent, or child under 21 | | | • 203 a1 INA Adult Child of USC | U.S. citizen filing for unmarried son/daughter over 21 | | | • 203 a2B INA Adult Child of LPR | Permanent resident filing for unmarried son or daughter over 21 | | | • 203 a3 INA Adult Child of USC | U.S. citizen filing for a married son/daughter | | | • 203 a4 INA Sibling of USC | U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister | | I-131, Application for Travel Document | You are a refugee or asylee | Refugee or asylee applying for refugee travel document | | | You submitted Form I-131 for another reason | All other applicants for advance parole | | I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | Your receipt notice shows this Section: | | | | Alien of Extraordinary Ability, Sec. 203(b)(1)(A) | Extraordinary ability (E11) | | | Outstanding Professor or Researcher, Sec. 203(b)(1)(B) | Outstanding professor or researcher (E12) | | | Multi-national Executive or Manager, Sec. 203(b)(1)(C) | Multinational executive or manager (E13) | | | Mem of Profession w/Adv Deg, or of Exceptin’l Ability, Sec. 203(b)(2) | Advanced degree or exceptional ability (E21) | | | Skilled Worker,

FAQs

How do I find my form category using this guide?

Locate your submitted form in Column 1, find the matching category or situation in Column 2, then use Column 3 to select the form category on the processing times webpage.

What should I do if the mapping table shows “N/A” for Column 2?

Use the table’s Column 3 entry for that row. If a form only has one category on the processing times page, it is marked “N/A,” meaning there is typically no further selection needed.

Does the guide help distinguish between renewal and replacement for the same form?

Yes. For example, it differentiates between renewing a 10-year card and first-time card issuance or replacement, each with a different Column 3 category.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Gloria