Jurisdiction: San Antonio Field Office (USCIS) & Texas Service Center (SRC) Last Updated: January 2026

Introduction

Navigating the U.S. immigration system is a marathon, not a sprint. For residents of San Antonio, Texas, local procedures at the specific USCIS Field Office on Highway 281 and the Immigration Court on Dolorosa Street can significantly impact the timeline and success of a case.

This comprehensive guide addresses the five most critical pillars of the immigration journey: Processing Times, Legal Costs, Biometrics Procedures, Medical Exams, and Interview Preparation. This document is designed to be exhaustive, providing not just the “what,” but the “why” and “how” behind each step.

(Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Timelines and fees are subject to change by USCIS and private practitioners.)

Part 1: Immigration Processing Times in Texas

One of the most frequent frustrations for applicants is the unpredictability of “the wait.” Processing times are not uniform; they depend entirely on where your file is physically located and what category you fall under.

1. The Two “Texases”: Service Center vs. Field Office

To understand your timeline, you must first understand where your file is.

  • The Texas Service Center (SRC): Located in Irving, Texas, this is a massive processing factory. It handles the initial stages of many petitions (like the I-140 for workers or I-130 for relatives) and humanitarian cases. It is notorious for fluctuating backlogs.

  • The San Antonio Field Office (SNA): Located at 20760 North U.S. Highway 281. This is where your file moves when it is ready for an interview or final adjudication.

2. Current 2025 Processing Estimates (San Antonio Context)

Family-Based Adjustment of Status (I-485)

  • Immediate Relatives (Spouses of US Citizens):

    • Timeline: 8 to 14 months.

    • Analysis: San Antonio has recently been waiving interviews for “clean” marriage cases (where evidence is strong). If your interview is waived, you might see approval closer to the 8-month mark. If an interview is required, expect 12+ months.

  • F2A (Spouses of Green Card Holders):

    • Timeline: 20 to 36 months.

    • Reason for Delay: Unlike citizens, Green Card holders must wait for a “visa number” to become available. Even if the I-485 is filed, USCIS cannot approve it until the Priority Date is current in the Visa Bulletin.

Employment-Based Adjustment (I-485)

  • Timeline: 7 to 12 months.

  • San Antonio Specifics: The local office is generally efficient with employment cases (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3). Many of these are adjudicated without an interview, meaning the speed largely depends on how fast the National Benefits Center (NBC) transfers the file to San Antonio.

Naturalization (N-400)

  • Timeline: 5 to 8 months.

  • San Antonio Trend: San Antonio is currently one of the faster offices in the country for citizenship. It is not uncommon for an applicant to apply in January and be sworn in by August.

Advanced Parole / Travel Documents (I-131)

  • Timeline: 4 to 8 months.

  • Note: Historically, this took longer. USCIS is pushing to bundle these with Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to reduce the backlog, but they are increasingly “decoupling” them, meaning you might get your work permit months before your travel permit.

3. Why is my case stuck at the Texas Service Center (SRC)?

If your receipt number starts with “SRC,” your case is at the Texas Service Center.

  • Asylum Claims: SRC handles a massive volume of I-589s.

  • Employment Petitions (I-140): Unless you pay for Premium Processing ($2,805), regular I-140s at SRC can languish for 8–10 months.

  • Pro-Tip: If your case is outside the “Normal Processing Time” posted on the USCIS website, you can submit an “e-Request.” However, SRC is famous for sending generic “we are busy” responses.

4. “Writ of Mandamus”: The Nuclear Option

If your case has been pending in San Antonio or at the Texas Service Center for an unreasonable amount of time (generally 2+ years for adjustment, 1+ year for EADs), you can file a federal lawsuit called a Writ of Mandamus.

  • Effect: This forces USCIS to make a decision (approve or deny) typically within 60 days.

  • San Antonio Federal Court: The Western District of Texas is generally fair regarding these lawsuits, often prompting USCIS to “voluntarily” adjudicate the case to avoid litigation.

Part 2: Immigration Lawyer Costs in San Antonio

Legal fees in San Antonio are generally lower than in coastal cities (like NYC or LA) but higher than in rural Texas areas. Costs vary based on the attorney’s experience (Board Certified attorneys charge more), the complexity of the case, and the fee structure.

1. Consultation Fees

  • Average: $100 – $200.

  • Free Consultations? Some high-volume firms offer free consults, but be wary: these are often sales pitches. A paid consultation usually guarantees you are speaking to a licensed attorney who reviews your specific documents, rather than a paralegal or intake specialist.

2. Flat Fees vs. Hourly

Most immigration cases in San Antonio are billed as Flat Fees. You pay a set amount regardless of how many hours the lawyer works.

  • Why? It provides certainty for the client.

  • Exceptions: Removal Defense (Deportation) and complex Federal Litigation are sometimes billed hourly or in “stages.”

3. Fee Ranges by Case Type (San Antonio Market Rates 2025)

Family-Based Green Cards

  • Adjustment of Status (One-Step for Spouse):

    • Legal Fee: $3,000 – $5,500.

    • What it covers: Forms I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131, I-864, and attendance at the interview.

  • Consular Processing (Spouse outside US):

    • Legal Fee: $3,500 – $6,000.

    • Breakdown: Usually split into two payments (Stage 1: Petition, Stage 2: National Visa Center).

  • Fiancé Visa (K-1):

    • Legal Fee: $2,500 – $4,000.

    • Warning: This is only for the visa. You must pay another fee later for the Green Card after marriage.

Humanitarian Cases

  • VAWA (Abuse Victim): $3,000 – $6,000.

  • U Visa (Crime Victim): $2,500 – $4,500.

  • Asylum (Affirmative): $4,000 – $7,000.

Deportation Defense (Immigration Court)

  • Bond Hearing: $1,500 – $3,000.

  • Master Calendar & Individual Hearing: $6,000 – $15,000+.

  • Note: These are the most expensive cases because they involve trial preparation, witnesses, and hours of court time at the Dolorosa Street court.

Employment-Based

  • H-1B Visa: $2,500 – $4,000 (usually paid by employer).

  • EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver): $5,000 – $10,000.

  • PERM Labor Certification: $4,000 – $7,000.

4. The “Hidden” Costs

When budgeting, remember that the “Legal Fee” is just for the lawyer. You must also pay:

  • USCIS Filing Fees: E.g., $1,440 for the Green Card, $675 for the petition. These checks go to the government.

  • Translations: Birth certificates from Mexico/Honduras/etc. must be translated. ($20-$50 per page).

  • Medical Exam: $200-$600 (paid to doctor).

  • Mailing: FedEx/UPS costs ($50-$100).

Part 3: What Happens After Biometrics?

The Biometrics appointment (fingerprinting) feels like a big milestone, but it is often followed by… silence. Here is exactly what is happening in the background during the “Silent Period.”

1. The Appointment Itself

  • Location: In San Antonio, this is usually at the Application Support Center (ASC) on SE Loop 410 (near Rigsby), not the Field Office on 281.

  • Codes:

    • Code 1: 10 fingerprints only.

    • Code 2: Index finger, photo, and signature (for Green Cards/EADs).

    • Code 3: Full 10 prints, photo, signature, and index press (the “everything” package).

2. Step 1: The FBI Background Check (24-48 Hours)

Immediately after your prints are taken, they are digitally sent to the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).

  • No Hit: If you have no criminal record, the FBI sends a “Clear” response to USCIS almost instantly (often within minutes or hours).

  • Hit: If you have an arrest record, the FBI sends the “RAP Sheet” to USCIS. This does not mean automatic denial, but it forces a human officer to review your file manually, which slows things down.

3. Step 2: “Case Was Updated to Show Fingerprints Were Taken”

You will see this status online. It simply means the digital handshake between the ASC and the Service Center was successful.

  • Myth: “This means my interview is coming soon.”

  • Reality: No. It just means the background check phase is initiated. You could sit in this status for 6 months.

4. Step 3: The Fork in the Road

After Biometrics, your case splits into two parallel tracks:

  • Track A (The Work Permit): The National Benefits Center (NBC) reviews the I-765. Since they have your photo and prints, they can adjudicate this independently of your Green Card.

    • Timeline: Expect approval 1–5 months after biometrics.

  • Track B (The Green Card): The main file waits for “Ready to Schedule for an Interview.”

    • Timeline: This status can appear 3–10 months after biometrics.

5. What is a “Second Biometrics” Notice?

Sometimes, 15 months pass and you haven’t been interviewed. You might get a second appointment notice.

  • Why? FBI fingerprint clearances are generally valid for 15 months. If USCIS is too slow and the clearance expires, you have to go get fingerprinted again. It is annoying, but it is a good sign that they are finally looking at your file.

Part 4: Immigration Medical Exam (San Antonio Specifics)

Every Green Card applicant must prove they are not “inadmissible on health-related grounds.” This requires Form I-693.

1. Who can perform the exam?

You cannot go to your family doctor. You must go to a USCIS Designated Civil Surgeon.

  • Finding One: Use the “Find a Doctor” tool on USCIS.gov. In San Antonio, there are high concentrations of Civil Surgeons in the Medical Center (78229) and Stone Oak (78258).

2. The Costs (Not covered by insurance)

Insurance (Blue Cross, Aetna, etc.) generally does not cover the “Immigration Physical” portion, though they might cover the vaccinations if you get them at a pharmacy beforehand.

  • Price Range in San Antonio: $250 – $600.

  • Pro-Tip: Call at least 3 doctors. Prices vary wildly. A clinic on Fredericksburg Road might charge $300, while a boutique clinic in The Dominion charges $750 for the exact same form.

3. Required Vaccinations (2025/2026 Season)

You must have proof of the following, or the doctor will administer them (and charge you):

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) – usually 2 doses.

  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis).

  • Varicella (Chickenpox) – “History” of having the disease is no longer enough; you need the shot or a blood test (titer) proving immunity.

  • COVID-19: You must have the current formulation.

  • Influenza: Required only during flu season (Oct 1 – March 31). If you have your exam on April 2, you don’t need it.

4. “Class A” vs. “Class B” Conditions

  • Class A (Inadmissible): Active Tuberculosis (TB), untreated Gonorrhea/Syphilis, or “Physical/Mental Disorder with Associated Harmful Behavior” (this includes current alcohol abuse/DWI issues).

    • Result: You cannot get a Green Card until this is treated or waived.

  • Class B (Admissible): Latent TB (not contagious), treated diabetes, treated hypertension.

    • Result: These are noted on the form but do not block your Green Card.

5. The “Sealed Envelope” Rule

The doctor will give you:

  1. A copy for your records (Keep this!).

  2. A sealed envelope for USCIS.

  • CRITICAL: Do NOT open the sealed envelope. If the seal is broken, USCIS will reject it, and you will have to pay for a new exam.

  • Validity: As of 2024 policy changes, I-693 forms effectively do not expire as long as they were signed after Nov 1, 2023, but always check with your lawyer as this policy can revert.

Part 5: Immigration Interview Checklist

If you are called for an interview at the San Antonio Field Office (281 North), preparation is the difference between approval and a “Request for Evidence” (RFE).

1. General Checklist (Everyone)

  • [ ] Interview Notice: The original letter (I-797C).

  • [ ] Photo ID: Unexpired Passport, Driver’s License, or EAD card.

  • [ ] I-693 Medical: The sealed envelope (if you didn’t mail it with the initial application).

  • [ ] Originals: Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Divorce Decrees (for all past marriages).

    • Note: You submitted copies; now you must show the original to the officer.

  • [ ] New Evidence: Any documents that have changed since you filed (e.g., new tax return, new pay stub).

2. Marriage-Based Checklist (The “Bona Fide” Proof)

You must prove the marriage is real, not just for papers.

  • [ ] Joint Bank Statements: Printouts for the last 6-12 months showing both names and active usage (grocery shopping, rent payments). A dormant account with $100 in it is suspicious.

  • [ ] Lease/Mortgage: Showing both names.

  • [ ] Utility Bills: Electric (CPS Energy), Water (SAWS), Internet.

  • [ ] Photos: Create a small album (20-30 photos).

    • Mix it up: Wedding photos, vacation photos, “boring” photos on the couch, photos with family members.

    • Caption them: “Christmas 2024 with Grandma in New Braunfels.”

  • [ ] Insurance: Car insurance (listing both as drivers), Health insurance, Life insurance.

  • [ ] Taxes: IRS Tax Return Transcripts for the most recent year filed jointly.

3. Employment-Based Checklist

  • [ ] Employment Verification Letter: A fresh letter from the employer (dated within 30 days) confirming you are still employed (or have a job offer), your title, and salary.

  • [ ] Pay Stubs: Last 3 months.

  • [ ] Degree/Diplomas: The original university diplomas.

  • [ ] H-1B Approval Notices: All previous I-797s to prove you maintained status.

4. “Red Flag” Preparation

If any of these apply, discuss with your lawyer before walking into the building:

  • Arrests: Bring the Certified Disposition from the court (even if charges were dropped).

  • Child Support: If the petitioner or beneficiary has children not living with them, bring proof that child support payments are current.

  • Previous Marriages: If the divorce was finalized only weeks before the new marriage, be ready to explain.

5. The “Stokes” Interview (The Nightmare Scenario)

If the officer doubts your marriage, you may be separated and interviewed individually. They will compare answers to questions like:

  • “What side of the bed do you sleep on?”

  • “What did you eat for dinner last night?”

  • “When was your spouse’s last period?”

  • “What color is the shower curtain?”

  • Preparation: Review the small details of your household before the interview.