Several stochastic processes in queueing theory are based upon compound renewal processes . For queues in light traffic, however, the summands {Xk}and the renewal counting process {N(t)} are typically dependent on each other. Making use of recent invariance principles for such situations, we present some weak and strong approximations for the GI/G/1 queues in light and heavy traffic. Some applications are discussed including convergence rate statements or Darling–Erdös-type extreme value theorems for the processes under consideration.