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How long does it take to get a green card?

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The time to obtain a green card varies significantly depending on the category and your country of birth.

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21): Generally 12-18 months, as these categories have no annual numerical limits.

Family preference categories: Can range from 2 to 20+ years depending on the relationship and country of origin. Filipino and Mexican applicants often face the longest wait times.

Employment-based: EB-1 (priority workers) may take 1-2 years. EB-2 and EB-3 can range from 2-10+ years, particularly for applicants born in India and China.

Diversity visa lottery: If selected, processing typically takes about 1 year.

Processing times change frequently. Check the USCIS Visa Bulletin for the most current wait times for your specific category.