# Green Card Processing Times 2026

Find out how long it takes to get a green card

## Understanding Total Green Card Wait Times

When calculating how long it will take to get your [green card](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/the-green-card-explained), you need to consider two distinct waiting periods that may apply to your case. The first is the [visa bulletin](https://www.boundless.com/blog/visa-bulletin/) waiting period—think of this as waiting in line for your number to be called. The second is the [USCIS processing time](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/uscis-processing-times)—the time it takes for USCIS to review and approve your actual green card application once you’re allowed to submit it. Some applicants, like immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, get to skip the first waiting period entirely, while others may face both wait times.

## Current Processing Times FY 2027

### Family-Based Green Card Wait Times

| Category | Initial Wait (Visa Bulletin) | USCIS Processing Time |
| -------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------- |
| Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens: | | |
| Spouses (inside the U.S.) | No wait required | 8.2 months |
| Spouses (outside U.S.) | No wait required | 14.5 months |
| Parents | No wait required | 14.5 months |
| Unmarried children under 21 | No wait required | 14.5 months |
| Family Preference Categories: | | |
| Spouses/Children of Green Card Holders (F2A) | Currently processing October 2024 | 35 months |
| Adult Children of U.S. Citizens (F1) | Currently processing Sept 2017 (longer for Mexico) | 8.2 months |
| Adult Children of Green Card Holders (F2B) | Currently processing Jan 2017 (longer for Mexico) | 35 months |
| Married Children of U.S. Citizens (F3) | Currently processing July 2012 (longer for Mexico) | 8.2 month |
| Siblings of U.S. Citizens (F4) | Processing dates vary by country: – Most countries: April 2008 – India: Oct 2006 – Mexico: April 2001 – Philippines: Jan 2008 | 8.2 month |

### Employment-Based Green Card Wait Times

| Category | General Visa Bulletin Wait | Country-Specific Backlogs | I-140 Processing Time for EB Visa | Additional I-485 Processing Time for Green Card |
| -------- | --------------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------- |
| EB-1 | Current (No Wait) | China: Since Nov 2022<br>India: Since February 2022 | 8.1 months |  |
| EB-2 | Since June 2023 | China: Since Oct 2020<br>India: Since Jan 2013 | 8.1 months |  |
| EB-3 | Since January 2023 | China: Since Nov 2020<br>India: Since April 2013 | 8.1 months |  |
| EB-4 | Unauthorized (meaning the government is currently not issuing visas in this category) | Unauthorized | 8.1 months |  |
| EB-5 | Current (No Wait) | China: Since January 2014<br>India: Since November 2019 | 71.1 months |  |

## What These Times Mean For You

Generally, getting a green card involves two main waiting periods:

1. **Visa Bulletin Wait:** This applies to most, but not all, green card applicants. The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication that lists the “cut-off” dates for different green card categories. Your “priority date” (usually when you first filed your application) needs to be earlier than the cut-off date listed in the Visa Bulletin for your category. This wait time can vary greatly depending on factors like your country of birth and the type of green card you’re applying for.
2. **USCIS Processing Time:** Once your priority date is current, you can file your green card application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS then takes time to process your application, which can also vary depending on factors like the type of green card and the workload at the USCIS service center handling your case.

### Important Exceptions:

- **Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens:** If you’re an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen (spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen over 21), you are **exempt** from the Visa Bulletin wait. You can file your green card application immediately.
- **Employment-Based Visas with PERM:** For many employment-based green cards (especially EB-2 and EB-3 categories), the PERM Labor Certification process must be completed _before_ the Visa Bulletin wait even begins. This process can take 18-24 months. Once PERM is certified, the employer files Form I-140, which establishes the priority date for the Visa Bulletin.

### In Summary:

For most people, the total wait time to get a green card is the Visa Bulletin waiting period _plus_ the USCIS processing time. However, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens don’t have to wait for a visa to become available.

## Country-Specific Wait Time Impact

Applicants from certain countries face significantly longer initial waiting periods:

- India: Particularly long waits for EB-2 and EB-3 categories
- China: Extended waits for all employment-based categories
- Mexico: Longer waits for most family preference categories
- Philippines: Extended waits for F4 (sibling) category

## Monitoring Your Wait Time

The two key resources for tracking your wait time are:

1. The monthly [visa bulletin](https://www.boundless.com/blog/visa-bulletin/): Shows which priority dates are currently being processed
2. [USCIS processing times](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/uscis-processing-times): Shows how long the agency is taking to process applications.