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Obtaining a Green Card, or Permanent Resident Card, is one of the most important goals for thousands of people who wish to live and work permanently in the United States. But how long does the process actually take?
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there is no single timeframe for all cases. The wait time depends on various factors, such as the immigration category under which residency is requested, visa availability, the workload of immigration authorities, and whether the process is taking place inside or outside the United States.
Why does the wait time vary?
According to USCIS, people can obtain a Green Card through different paths, including family sponsorship, employment, humanitarian programs, or special categories. Each has distinct requirements and processing times.
For example, some immediate relatives of U.S. citizens usually face shorter wait times because their immigrant visas are not subject to annual limits. In contrast, family preference categories and many employment-based visas depend on annual quotas established by U.S. immigration law, which can lead to waits of several years.
If you are already in the United States...
People who are legally in the United States can apply for residency through a process known as adjustment of status by filing Form I-485 with USCIS. Processing times change constantly depending on the office handling the case and the immigration category.
The agency recommends periodically checking its official processing time tool to track the specific progress of each form and office.
If you are applying from abroad...
When the applicant is outside the United States, the process is generally carried out through consular processing. In this case, after the immigration petition is approved by USCIS, the file is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), an agency under the U.S. Department of State.
The NVC reviews the documentation, requests additional forms, and schedules the interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate when a visa becomes available. The total time can vary significantly depending on the immigration category and current demand.
Wait times for the Green Card
The time a Green Card takes depends on the immigration category and visa availability. According to USCIS and the U.S. Department of State, some cases can be resolved in months, while others can extend over several years.
1. Spouse of a U.S. citizen
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are not subject to annual visa limits, so they usually have some of the shortest wait times. Depending on the case and the authorities' workload, the process can take approximately 12 to 24 months.
2. Unmarried child over 21 of a U.S. citizen
This category is subject to annual quotas, so the wait can be considerably longer. In some countries, it can exceed 7 years, and even more in cases of high demand.
3. Sibling of a U.S. citizen
It is one of the family categories with the longest wait times due to the large number of applications and the annual visa limit. In many cases, applicants may wait more than 15 years to receive an available visa.
4. Employment-based Green Card
Workers sponsored by a U.S. company can obtain residency in a period ranging from one to several years, depending on the job category and the applicant's country of origin.
5. People with asylum or refugee status
Those who receive asylum or refugee status must generally wait at least one year after obtaining that status before they can apply for a Green Card. Subsequently, the process can take several additional months.
How long does it take for the Green Card to arrive after approval?
Once the person enters the United States with an immigrant visa and pays the corresponding fee, USCIS states that the physical Green Card can generally arrive within 90 days. If the immigrant fee is paid after entering the country, the waiting period starts from the date of payment.
It also warns that the card cannot be produced until the required payment has been made.
Both USCIS and the Department of State have online tools so that applicants can check the progress of their cases. These platforms allow users to check estimated processing times, review if there is pending documentation, and track the file during each stage of the procedure.
Although many people hope to obtain a Green Card in a matter of months, the reality is that times can vary widely depending on the immigration category and visa availability.
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