Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) offers a path to permanent residency for children who can’t reunify with their parents due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. It’s a two-step process that involves both state juvenile courts and federal immigration authorities.

If you’re exploring SIJS, one of your biggest questions is probably about timing. How long are Special Immigrant Juvenile Status taking to approve?

The answer isn’t simple, and the waiting can feel overwhelming when a young person’s future hangs in the balance. But with Gillespie Law Group, LLC guiding you through every step, you can feel confident knowing your case is being handled with care, experience and urgency.

Below, we’ll walk you through current Special Immigrant Juvenile Status processing times, explain what’s causing delays and help you understand what to expect at each step. We’ll also show you how working with a lawyer for SIJS in Illinois can protect your family and potentially help avoid costly mistakes that could set your case back even further.

For more information or personalized guidance regarding your situation, contact us today.

How Long Do SIJS Cases Take to Process Right Now?

As of 2025, the USCIS officially states they generally process SIJS cases within 180 days, but many families report significantly longer wait times in practice.

The National Benefits Center, which handles most SIJS cases, has been experiencing substantial delays due to increased filings and staffing challenges. While USCIS posts estimated processing times on their website, these ranges often underestimate actual wait times. USCIS reported over 34,000 “unopened cases” in early 2025 — applications that haven’t even been entered into their processing system yet.

It’s important to understand that these timeframes reflect only the first step in your immigration journey. SIJS approval allows you to apply for a green card, but that process involves additional waiting periods and requirements that we’ll discuss below.

Why Are SIJS Cases Taking So Long?

There is a backlog for SIJS applications that has grown significantly over the past several years. Several factors contribute to these extended processing times, and understanding them can help manage expectations and planning.

Here’s why your SIJS case may be delayed:

  • Staffing Shortages: Limited United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) staff are dedicated to reviewing I-360 petitions. Each SIJS case requires careful review of juvenile court orders, evidence of abuse, neglect or abandonment, and documentation proving that reunification with parents is not viable. This thorough review process takes time.
  • Documentation Problems: Incomplete juvenile court orders, missing translations or insufficient evidence of the required findings frequently cause delays. When USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), it can add three to six months to your case timeline.
  • State Court Variations: The complexity of state juvenile court systems creates variations in how SIJS-related orders are written and processed. Some courts move quickly on SIJS findings, while others have lengthy dockets that delay the initial court orders needed before filing with USCIS.
  • Policy and Resource Changes: Current events in 2025, including policy discussions around immigration reform and resource allocation, continue to impact processing capacity. While USCIS has made efforts to address backlogs, the demand for SIJS continues to outpace processing capabilities.

Here’s What Happens While SIJS Is Pending

During the months your I-360 petition is pending, your child’s immigration status remains unchanged from what it was before filing.

Important change as of June 2025: USCIS rescinded the policy of automatically considering deferred action for special immigrant juveniles with an approved Form I-360 when an immigrant visa number is not immediately available. This means approved SIJS beneficiaries no longer automatically receive protection from deportation or work authorization while waiting for visa availability.

Your child cannot travel internationally while the petition is pending without risking abandonment of their case. They also cannot apply for work authorization based solely on a pending I-360.

It’s crucial to keep USCIS informed of any address changes and respond promptly to any requests for additional evidence. Missing correspondence can significantly delay your case or even result in denial.

From SIJS Approval to Green Card: What to Expect

You can get a green card after SIJS approval. However, this step involves additional waiting periods that many families don’t anticipate.

SIJS beneficiaries are subject to the same per-country limits that affect other family-based immigration categories. This means that depending on your child’s country of birth, there may be additional delays before a visa number becomes available.

Children from countries with high immigration demand, such as Mexico, India, China and the Philippines, may face longer waits than those from other countries. The State Department publishes monthly visa bulletins that indicate current availability and movement of priority dates.

The green card application process itself (Form I-485 if applying within the United States) typically takes eight to 12 months from filing to approval, though this varies by USCIS field office.

However, due to the June 2025 policy change, approved SIJS beneficiaries can no longer automatically apply for work authorization and travel permission while waiting for visa availability unless they separately request and receive deferred action, which is no longer automatic.

What if a Child Turns 21 Before SIJS Is Approved?

Fortunately, one of the most significant advantages of SIJS is its built-in protection against “aging out.” Unlike many other immigration benefits, SIJS includes specific provisions that protect young people who turn 21 during the lengthy processing times.

However, timing matters. The juvenile court findings (predicate order) must be obtained while the child is still under 21 years old, and the I-360 petition must be filed before their 21st birthday. These deadlines are strict, which makes early legal consultation especially important for older teens.

Once these steps are completed on time, the protection extends through the entire process, including the eventual green card application.

How Legal Help Can Change Your SIJS Journey

Many families wonder, “Can a lawyer help speed up my SIJS case?” While attorneys cannot bypass normal processing times, experienced legal counsel provides crucial advantages throughout the SIJS process that can prevent delays and improve outcomes.

Here’s how legal representation helps:

  • Drafting Precise Court Orders: An attorney familiar with SIJS can help draft juvenile court orders that meet USCIS requirements, reducing the likelihood of RFEs or denials. They understand the specific language needed in court findings and can work with state court judges to ensure orders contain all necessary elements.
  • Handling Complications: Legal representation becomes particularly valuable when cases face missing documentation, complex family circumstances or prior immigration violations. Attorneys can also request the case be expedited in appropriate circumstances, such as medical emergencies or other compelling situations.
  • Navigating Dual Legal Systems: Perhaps most importantly, legal counsel helps navigate the intersection between state juvenile court proceedings and federal immigration law. This dual expertise prevents costly mistakes that could derail a case or create future complications.

Learn more about our Special Immigrant Juvenile Status legal services and how we can help guide your family through this complex process.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in Illinois: What Makes Our State Unique

Illinois has developed systems and procedures that generally work favorably for SIJS cases.

Illinois has a unified court system, so judges across the state handle SIJS cases consistently. However, timing can still vary depending on which county you’re in and how busy that court is. One advantage Illinois offers is that it allows SIJS court orders for children up to age 21, unlike some states that cut off at age 18.

Sometimes adoption proceedings can provide the findings you need for SIJS eligibility, which can be especially helpful for stepparent adoptions or when relatives want to formalize their relationship with a child. Illinois’s child welfare system also keeps detailed records about abuse, neglect and why reunification isn’t possible — exactly what USCIS wants to see in SIJS cases.

If adoption is not a good option, guardianship and parental allocation are two other options in Illinois. The majority of SIJS predicate orders in Illinois are entered through guardianship cases.

The bottom line? While every case is different, Illinois’s laws and court systems generally support families pursuing SIJS.

Get Help Navigating SIJS Delays — Talk to an Illinois Immigration Lawyer Today

The SIJS process takes patience and careful planning. While the delays create uncertainty, understanding what’s ahead helps you prepare for each step of the journey.

Working with a Special Immigrant Juvenile Status attorney who understands both Illinois family law and federal immigration requirements can make the difference between a successful case and years of additional delays.

At Gillespie Law Group, LLC, we’ve helped many families navigate SIJS cases from start to finish. We understand how urgent this feels, and we work hard to position your case for the best possible outcome.

Don’t wait to get legal help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help secure your child’s future.