# USCIS Immigration Processing Times MCP — H-1B & Visa Data (`andrew_avina/uscis-intelligence-mcp`) Actor Get current USCIS immigration processing times and H-1B employer approval data via a fully MCP-compatible server. Track wait times for I-485 (green card), N-400 (citizenship), H-1B, I-130, I-765, and 50+ other forms across all USCIS service centers. Works directly with Claude ... - **URL**: https://apify.com/andrew\_avina/uscis-intelligence-mcp.md - **Developed by:** [Andrew Avina](https://apify.com/andrew_avina) (community) - **Categories:** MCP servers, Business - **Stats:** 1 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing $3.00 / 1,000 result item returneds This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## USCIS Immigration Intelligence MCP — Processing Times & H-1B Data Get current **USCIS immigration processing times** and **H-1B employer approval data** via a fully MCP-compatible server. Track wait times for I-485 (green card), N-400 (citizenship), H-1B, I-130, I-765, and 50+ other forms across all USCIS service centers. Works directly with Claude Desktop, Cursor, GPT-4 plugins, and any MCP client. No API key required. --- ### What This Actor Does USCIS publishes current processing times for every form type through a live JSON API. This actor fetches that data, normalises it into clean per-form-per-office records, and makes it queryable through an MCP server. It also downloads and caches the USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub CSV (FY2023), enabling queries about top H-1B sponsors, approval rates, and denial rates by company. **In batch mode**, the actor fetches all processing time data and pushes it to the Apify dataset along with the top H-1B employers you configure. **In MCP server mode**, the actor starts a lightweight HTTP server on port 4321 and stays alive for up to 24 hours. Your AI assistant can call any of the 4 MCP tools in real time. --- ### Data Sources | Source | Endpoint | Auth | Update Frequency | |--------|---------|------|-----------------| | USCIS Processing Times API | `https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/api/processingTimes.json` | None | Weekly | | USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub | `https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/data/H-1B_FY2023_Employer_Data_Hub.csv` | None | Annual (FY) | --- ### MCP Tools #### `get_processing_times` Query current processing times for a specific form type, office, and/or visa subtype. ```json { "name": "get_processing_times", "arguments": { "form_type": "I-485", "office": "NBC", "subtype": "Employment-Based" } } ```` Returns records with: `form_type`, `form_name`, `office`, `office_code`, `subtype`, `processing_months` (midpoint), `min_months`, `max_months`, `last_updated`, `source`. **Available form types:** I-90, I-129, I-129F, I-130, I-131, I-140, I-290B, I-360, I-485, I-485J, I-526, I-539, I-600, I-601A, I-687, I-730, I-751, I-765, I-800, I-821D, I-829, I-914, I-918, N-336, N-400, N-600, N-600K **Service center codes:** NBC, TSC, NSC, CSC, VSC, MSC, IOE #### `list_all_forms` Get a summary of all USCIS forms with current processing time data — average, min, and max months across all service centers. ```json { "name": "list_all_forms", "arguments": {} } ``` Returns one record per form type with: average processing months, min/max range, number of offices handling that form, and a list of applicable subtypes. #### `compare_service_centers` Compare processing times for the same form across all USCIS service centers, sorted fastest to slowest. ```json { "name": "compare_service_centers", "arguments": { "form_type": "I-765" } } ``` Useful for understanding geographic processing disparities. USCIS does not allow applicants to choose a service center (assignment is automatic based on location), but attorneys can advise clients based on where their case will route. #### `get_h1b_employers` Top H-1B sponsoring employers from the USCIS FY2023 Employer Data Hub, sorted by initial approvals. ```json { "name": "get_h1b_employers", "arguments": { "limit": 50, "state": "CA" } } ``` Returns: `employer_name`, `initial_approvals`, `initial_denials`, `continuing_approvals`, `continuing_denials`, `total_approvals`, `approval_rate_pct`, `state`, `city`, `naics_code`. Filter by `state` (e.g. CA, NY, TX, WA) or `query` for partial employer name match. *** ### Input Parameters (Batch Mode) | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|------|---------|-------------| | `formType` | string | `""` | USCIS form number (e.g. I-485, N-400) | | `office` | string | `""` | Service center code/name | | `subtype` | string | `""` | Visa category / petition subtype | | `h1bLimit` | integer | `25` | Number of H-1B employers to include | | `serveMcp` | boolean | `false` | Start MCP server on port 4321 | *** ### Output Record Schema #### Processing Time Record ```json { "form_type": "I-485", "form_name": "Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status", "office": "National Benefits Center", "office_code": "NBC", "subtype": "Employment-Based Adjustment", "processing_months": 13.5, "min_months": 7.0, "max_months": 20.0, "last_updated": "June 15, 2024", "source": "uscis.gov" } ``` #### H-1B Employer Record ```json { "rank": 1, "employer_name": "INFOSYS LIMITED", "initial_approvals": 28467, "initial_denials": 892, "continuing_approvals": 31204, "continuing_denials": 445, "total_approvals": 59671, "approval_rate_pct": 98.5, "state": "TX", "city": "IRVING", "naics_code": "541512", "source": "uscis.gov/h1b-employer-data-hub", "fiscal_year": "FY2023" } ``` *** ### USCIS Form Reference | Form | Description | |------|-------------| | I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | | I-130 | Petition for Alien Relatives (family-based green card) | | I-140 | Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) | | I-129 | Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN) | | I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) | | I-90 | Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card | | I-131 | Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole, Re-entry Permit) | | I-539 | Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status | | I-751 | Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (conditional green card) | | I-526 | Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor (EB-5) | | I-821D | Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) | | N-400 | Application for Naturalization | | N-600 | Application for Certificate of Citizenship | *** ### Service Center Reference | Code | Full Name | Primary Jurisdiction | |------|----------|---------------------| | NBC | National Benefits Center | Domestic adjustment of status | | TSC | Texas Service Center | South-central US, some H-1B | | NSC | Nebraska Service Center | Central US, employment-based | | CSC | California Service Center | West Coast, some H-1B | | VSC | Vermont Service Center | Northeast US | | MSC | Missouri Service Center | Inland US | | IOE | USCIS Electronic Immigration System | Online-filed petitions | *** ### Example Use Cases **Q: How long is the I-485 green card wait at NBC vs. TSC?** ``` Tool: compare_service_centers form_type: I-485 ``` **Q: What is the current processing time for naturalization (N-400)?** ``` Tool: get_processing_times form_type: N-400 ``` **Q: Which tech companies sponsor the most H-1B workers in California?** ``` Tool: get_h1b_employers state: CA, limit: 25 ``` **Q: What are all the forms USCIS is currently processing and how long does each take?** ``` Tool: list_all_forms ``` **Q: How long does an I-765 EAD take at each service center?** ``` Tool: compare_service_centers form_type: I-765 ``` **Q: What is Amazon's H-1B approval rate?** ``` Tool: get_h1b_employers query: Amazon, limit: 5 ``` *** ### Use Cases by Audience **Immigration attorneys:** Give clients accurate processing time estimates by form type and service center. Track processing changes week-to-week by comparing actor runs. **HR immigration teams:** Know how long sponsored employees will wait for EAD renewals, H-1B extensions, and green cards. Plan onboarding and project staffing accordingly. **Visa applicants:** Understand whether your case is taking longer than the published processing window before filing a service request. **Researchers and journalists:** Analyze H-1B employer data for stories about labor market dependence on foreign talent, industry concentration, and approval rate disparities. **Recruiting / talent acquisition:** Identify the top H-1B sponsors in a given state or industry. Useful for competitive intelligence in tech, healthcare, consulting, and finance sectors. *** ### H-1B Data Notes - Data is from USCIS FY2023 Employer Data Hub (most recently published complete year) - "Initial" approvals/denials = new H-1B petitions - "Continuing" approvals/denials = extensions or amendments for existing H-1B holders - Approval rate is calculated as `(initial_approvals + continuing_approvals) / total_petitions` - NAICS codes identify the employer's industry sector - Large staffing firms (Infosys, Tata, Wipro, Cognizant) typically dominate by volume *** ### MCP Server Mode Set `serveMcp: true` to start the MCP server. Configure your MCP client: ```json { "mcpServers": { "uscis": { "url": "http://:4321" } } } ``` **Endpoints:** - `GET /mcp/tools` — returns all 4 tool schemas - `POST /mcp/call` — invoke a tool with `{"name": "...", "arguments": {...}}` - `GET /health` — liveness check (also shows record counts) *** ### Error Handling All tools catch exceptions and return structured error records rather than crashing: ```json [{"_meta": {"error": "...", "fallback_tried": true}}] ``` If the USCIS processing times API is unavailable, tools return error meta-records. If the H-1B CSV fails to download (CDN issues, URL rotation), `get_h1b_employers` returns an error record with the attempted source URL. *** ### License USCIS data is in the public domain (US government work). Actor code is MIT-licensed. # Actor input Schema ## `formType` (type: `string`): USCIS form number to query. Examples: I-485 (green card adjustment), I-130 (family petition), N-400 (naturalization), I-765 (employment authorization), I-90 (green card renewal), I-140 (immigrant worker petition), I-129 (nonimmigrant worker), I-539 (extend/change status), I-751 (remove conditions), I-131 (travel document). Leave empty to return all forms. ## `office` (type: `string`): USCIS office or service center code/name. Common codes: NBC (National Benefits Center), TSC (Texas Service Center), NSC (Nebraska Service Center), CSC (California Service Center), VSC (Vermont Service Center), MSC (Missouri Service Center), IOE (online/ELIS). Leave empty for all offices. ## `subtype` (type: `string`): Petition subtype or visa category. Examples: 'Employment-Based Adjustment', 'Family-Based Adjustment', 'Asylum', 'H-1B', 'L-1A', 'O-1 Extraordinary Ability'. Case-insensitive partial match. Leave empty for all subtypes. ## `h1bLimit` (type: `integer`): Number of top H-1B sponsoring employers to include in the dataset output (by initial approvals). Default 25, max 500. ## `serveMcp` (type: `boolean`): When enabled, starts an MCP-compatible HTTP server on port 4321 instead of running a batch query. Use this to connect Claude Desktop, Cursor, or any MCP client to live USCIS data. Exposes 4 tools: get\_processing\_times, list\_all\_forms, compare\_service\_centers, get\_h1b\_employers. The actor will run continuously until stopped. ## Actor input object example ```json { "formType": "", "office": "", "subtype": "", "h1bLimit": 25, "serveMcp": false } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("andrew_avina/uscis-intelligence-mcp").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("andrew_avina/uscis-intelligence-mcp").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call andrew_avina/uscis-intelligence-mcp --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=andrew_avina/uscis-intelligence-mcp", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "USCIS Immigration Processing Times MCP — H-1B & Visa Data", "description": "Get current USCIS immigration processing times and H-1B employer approval data via a fully MCP-compatible server. Track wait times for I-485 (green card), N-400 (citizenship), H-1B, I-130, I-765, and 50+ other forms across all USCIS service centers. Works directly with Claude ...", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "7LoeD8rIlfD2rQ2Ls" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/andrew_avina~uscis-intelligence-mcp/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-andrew_avina-uscis-intelligence-mcp", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/andrew_avina~uscis-intelligence-mcp/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-andrew_avina-uscis-intelligence-mcp", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/andrew_avina~uscis-intelligence-mcp/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-andrew_avina-uscis-intelligence-mcp", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "formType": { "title": "USCIS Form Type", "type": "string", "description": "USCIS form number to query. Examples: I-485 (green card adjustment), I-130 (family petition), N-400 (naturalization), I-765 (employment authorization), I-90 (green card renewal), I-140 (immigrant worker petition), I-129 (nonimmigrant worker), I-539 (extend/change status), I-751 (remove conditions), I-131 (travel document). Leave empty to return all forms.", "default": "" }, "office": { "title": "Service Center", "type": "string", "description": "USCIS office or service center code/name. Common codes: NBC (National Benefits Center), TSC (Texas Service Center), NSC (Nebraska Service Center), CSC (California Service Center), VSC (Vermont Service Center), MSC (Missouri Service Center), IOE (online/ELIS). Leave empty for all offices.", "default": "" }, "subtype": { "title": "Visa Subtype / Category", "type": "string", "description": "Petition subtype or visa category. Examples: 'Employment-Based Adjustment', 'Family-Based Adjustment', 'Asylum', 'H-1B', 'L-1A', 'O-1 Extraordinary Ability'. Case-insensitive partial match. Leave empty for all subtypes.", "default": "" }, "h1bLimit": { "title": "H-1B Employer Limit", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 500, "type": "integer", "description": "Number of top H-1B sponsoring employers to include in the dataset output (by initial approvals). Default 25, max 500.", "default": 25 }, "serveMcp": { "title": "MCP Server Mode", "type": "boolean", "description": "When enabled, starts an MCP-compatible HTTP server on port 4321 instead of running a batch query. Use this to connect Claude Desktop, Cursor, or any MCP client to live USCIS data. Exposes 4 tools: get_processing_times, list_all_forms, compare_service_centers, get_h1b_employers. The actor will run continuously until stopped.", "default": false } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```