A green card allows a non-U.S. citizen to gain permanent residence in the United States. A green card is also sometimes referred to as a permanent resident card. Many people from outside the United States want a green card because it would allow them to live and work (lawfully) anywhere in the United States and qualify for U.S. citizenship after three or five years.

Every year, the U.S. government issues more than a million green cards. Most are given to family members of U.S. citizens and current green card holders, followed by workers from other countries seeking employment in the United States as the next biggest group of recipients.

The processing time for a permanent resident card is anywhere from a few months to many years, depending on the type of green card you’re applying for and where you’re applying from.

APPLYING FROM WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

For spouses and immediate relatives (parents and minor children) of U.S. citizens applying from within the United States through adjustment of status, the wait is currently 12-22 months. For spouses of U.S. green card holders, other relatives of U.S. citizens, and employment-based green cards, the wait can be much longer, typically two years or more.

Let Boundless help you get started on your adjustment of status application today!

APPLYING FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

For spouses and immediate relatives (parents and minor children) of U.S. citizens applying from outside the United States via consular processing, the wait is currently 9-13 months. All other green card categories are subject to country caps, and wait times vary dramatically.

For spouses of U.S. green card holders applying from outside the United States, the wait is currently – months.