How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card?

Getting a U.S. Green Card is a major milestone—but how long it takes depends on how you apply. Processing times vary widely based on your category, country of origin, and whether your petition is employment-based, family-based, or humanitarian.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common Green Card paths—and how long each one typically takes.

1. Employment-Based Green Card (EB-2, EB-3)

Average timeline: 1 to 4+ years

If you’re being sponsored by a U.S. employer, you may qualify for a Green Card under one of these categories:

  • EB-2: For workers with advanced degrees or exceptional ability
  • EB-3: For skilled workers, professionals, and some unskilled laborers

Process steps:

  • PERM labor certification (6–12 months)
  • I-140 petition (6–12 months)
  • I-485 adjustment of status or consular processing (8–14 months)

Delays may occur if you’re from a country with a high volume of applicants (like India or China).

2. Family-Based Green Card

Average timeline: 1 to 15+ years

U.S. citizens and Green Card holders can sponsor family members under several categories:

  • Immediate relatives (spouse, parent, unmarried children under 21): ~1–2 years
  • Family preference categories (siblings, adult children): 5–15+ years depending on category and country

Important note: Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are not subject to visa caps and generally process faster.

3. Humanitarian Paths (Asylum, Refugee, VAWA, U Visa)

Average timeline: 2 to 5+ years

These include Green Cards granted through:

  • Asylum or refugee status
  • Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitions
  • Victims of crime (U visa) or human trafficking (T visa)

Wait times are longer due to high application volume and background checks. Some applicants may wait several years just to file.

4. Green Card Through Marriage

Average timeline: 10 months to 3 years

If you’re married to a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder, the timeline depends on your current location:

  • In the U.S. (adjustment of status): 10–16 months
  • Abroad (consular processing): 12–24 months

Marriages under 2 years old result in a conditional Green Card, which must later be converted to permanent.

Why Timelines Vary

Several factors affect your wait time:

  • Country of birth (due to annual caps)
  • Type of visa or category
  • Backlogs in USCIS or Department of State
  • Whether you’re applying from inside the U.S. or abroad

Need a Faster, More Reliable Path?

If you’re an employer or worker looking to move from a temporary visa (like H-2B) to a permanent solution, employment-based sponsorship under EB-3 is a proven option.

At Unlimited Labor Solutions, we help streamline the Green Card process—so you can stop worrying about renewals and start building a stable future.

Contact us to learn how long your Green Card path might take—and how to get started the right way.