Free immigration tool · Santos Khoury Law
Green Card Processing Time, Estimated for Your Category
Green card timelines are driven by two different clocks: USCIS processing speed and, for preference categories, the visa line published in the monthly Visa Bulletin. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens skip the line; siblings and adult children can wait many years; employment-based applicants born in India or China face their own backlogs. Pick your category and see the realistic range.
Free tool · Santos Khoury Law
Green Card Timeline Calculator
See how long your green card is likely to take based on your category, country of birth, and filing path.
100% confidential. Runs in your browser, nothing is stored or sent.
Want it done right the first time?
RFEs, missed documents, and wrong filing strategies add months, sometimes years. Our attorneys prepare family and marriage-based cases nationwide so your petition moves as fast as the system allows.
Disclaimer: Timelines shown are typical ranges based on recent government processing data and Visa Bulletin trends; they change monthly. Always check the current USCIS processing times and the Department of State Visa Bulletin for your category. This tool provides general information only and is not legal advice. Using it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Santos Khoury Law.
Questions about green card timeline calculator
How long does a marriage-based green card take?
For spouses of U.S. citizens filing inside the United States, roughly 10 to 16 months is typical; consular processing abroad runs longer. Spouses of green card holders depend on the F2A visa line, which moves in and out of being current.
Why does country of birth change the timeline?
Annual per-country limits mean applicants born in Mexico, India, China, and the Philippines wait longer in preference categories, sometimes by many years. The calculator applies those differences.
Is adjustment of status faster than consular processing?
Usually, and it comes with a work permit and travel document while the case is pending. Consular processing adds National Visa Center document collection and an interview wait at the consulate, typically four to eight extra months, but it is the right path for some applicants.
Can I speed up my green card?
File a complete case, respond to any RFE fast, and lock in your priority date early. For unreasonable delays, mandamus can compel a decision. A lawyer also helps choose the path (adjustment vs. consular) that is actually faster for your facts.
Family and marriage green card lawyers
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