“How long does it take to get a green card?” is one of the most searched immigration questions in 2025. The honest answer is: it depends—on your category, country of origin, and method of application.
1. Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens
Immediate relatives (spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21) are not subject to annual caps and typically have the shortest wait times.
- USCIS processing: ~10–18 months overall from filing to card issuance.
- No waiting for visa numbers makes this the fastest path.
2. Family Preference Categories
These categories are subject to visa caps and queues:
- F1 (unmarried adult children): 7+ years
- F2A (spouses/children of green card holders): 2–3 years
- F2B (unmarried adult children of green card holders): 6–10+ years
- F3 (married children): 12–14+ years
- F4 (siblings): 14–20+ years or more, especially for high‑demand countries.
Country caps mean nationals of Mexico, India, China, and the Philippines often face longer waits than others.
3. Employment‑Based Wait Times
Employment categories vary:
- EB‑1: ~12–24 months but can be longer for oversubscribed nationals.
- EB‑2/EB‑3: Several years—often 3–7+ depending on country and priority dates.
- EB‑5 investors: ~18–36+ months with complexity and document review.
Employer‑sponsored green cards have seen average waits of about 3.4 years in some reports.
4. Refugee and Asylee Adjustment
Refugees and asylees may apply one year after status grant and often receive green cards within ~12–24 months after filing.
Why Wait Times Vary
Wait times are influenced by:
- Annual visa caps and per‑country limits
- Backlogs at USCIS, National Visa Center, and consulates
- Priority date movement in the Visa Bulletin
Some family categories can see waits exceeding a decade due to quotas.
Conclusion
Green card wait times in 2025 range from under two years for immediate relatives to many years or even decades for certain family preference or employment categories, especially for applicants from high‑demand countries.
