Green Card Waiting Time by Country: A quick Guide if Stuck in Line Forever
Obtaining a Green Card is a significant milestone for individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States. However, the waiting period varies greatly depending on several factors, including the applicant’s country of origin, visa category, and the annual visa quota. If you are the working professional and understanding the Green Card backlog and processing time is crucial for prospective immigrants.
Key Takeaways
- Green Card waiting time varies by country due to per-country limits and demand.
- The backlog affects specific countries more severely, including India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines.
- Family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories have different wait times.
- Visa Bulletin updates from the U.S. Department of State provide insight into priority dates.
- Strategies such as employment-based adjustments or investment visas can sometimes expedite the process.
Understanding Green Card Waiting Times
The Green Card process is subject to strict quotas, with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) imposing numerical limits on family-sponsored and employment-based visas. Each country is restricted to no more than 7% of the total available visas per year, which leads to backlogs for applicants from high-demand nations.
Top 20 Green Card Waiting Time by Country, The waiting times are based on the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin and are subject to change.
| Rank | Country | Category | Waiting Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 20+ years | High demand and limited visa numbers cause extreme backlogs for Mexican nationals in family-sponsored categories. |
| 2 | Philippines | F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 20+ years | The Philippines has a high number of applicants in family-sponsored categories, leading to decades-long waits. |
| 3 | India | EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals) | 10+ years | Employment-based green card applicants from India face long waits due to the 7% per-country cap and high demand. |
| 4 | China | EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders, Exceptional Ability) | 5+ years | Chinese nationals in employment-based categories experience delays due to high demand and the per-country limit. |
| 5 | Mexico | F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Residents) | 15+ years | Family-sponsored applicants from Mexico face significant backlogs due to high demand and limited visa availability. |
| 6 | India | EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders, Exceptional Ability) | 10+ years | Indian nationals in the EB-2 category face long waits due to the high number of applicants and the per-country cap. |
| 7 | Philippines | F4 (Siblings of Adult U.S. Citizens) | 20+ years | The F4 category for Filipino applicants has one of the longest waiting times due to high demand and limited visa numbers. |
| 8 | Dominican Republic | F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 15+ years | Family-sponsored applicants from the Dominican Republic face long waits due to high demand and limited visa availability. |
| 9 | Vietnam | F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 10+ years | Vietnamese nationals in the F3 category experience significant backlogs due to high demand. |
| 10 | India | EB-1 (Priority Workers) | 2+ years | Even the EB-1 category, which is for priority workers, has started to see delays for Indian nationals due to high demand. |
| 11 | China | EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals) | 5+ years | Chinese nationals in the EB-3 category face delays due to high demand and the per-country cap. |
| 12 | Mexico | F4 (Siblings of Adult U.S. Citizens) | 20+ years | The F4 category for Mexican nationals has one of the longest waiting times due to high demand and limited visa numbers. |
| 13 | El Salvador | F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Residents) | 10+ years | Family-sponsored applicants from El Salvador face long waits due to high demand and limited visa availability. |
| 14 | Guatemala | F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 10+ years | Guatemalan nationals in the F1 category experience significant backlogs due to high demand. |
| 15 | Bangladesh | F4 (Siblings of Adult U.S. Citizens) | 15+ years | The F4 category for Bangladeshi applicants has long waiting times due to high demand and limited visa numbers. |
| 16 | Pakistan | F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 10+ years | Pakistani nationals in the F3 category face significant backlogs due to high demand. |
| 17 | South Korea | F4 (Siblings of Adult U.S. Citizens) | 10+ years | South Korean nationals in the F4 category experience delays due to high demand and limited visa numbers. |
| 18 | Colombia | F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Residents) | 10+ years | Family-sponsored applicants from Colombia face long waits due to high demand and limited visa availability. |
| 19 | Haiti | F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 10+ years | Haitian nationals in the F1 category experience significant backlogs due to high demand. |
| 20 | Nigeria | F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) | 5+ years | Nigerian nationals in the F2A category face delays due to high demand and limited visa availability. |
Key Notes:
- Per-Country Cap: U.S. immigration law limits the number of green cards issued to nationals of any single country to 7% of the total annual limit, causing backlogs for high-demand countries.
- Priority Dates: The waiting time is based on the applicant’s priority date (when the petition was filed) and the category they fall under.
- Visa Bulletin: The U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that updates waiting times for each category and country.
Factors Influencing Green Card Waiting Time by Country
1. Country of Origin
Countries with a high number of applicants face longer wait times due to the per-country cap. Nationals from India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines typically experience extensive delays in both employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
2. Visa Category
The waiting time depends on the type of Green Card application. Family-sponsored preference categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4) and employment-based preference categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5) each have different processing times.
3. Priority Dates and the Visa Bulletin
The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, determines when a Green Card application can proceed based on the applicant’s priority date. When demand exceeds supply, priority dates retrogress, causing further delays.
4. Annual Visa Quotas
The U.S. allocates approximately 140,000 employment-based Green Cards annually and a separate quota for family-sponsored applicants. If demand surpasses availability, applications roll over to the following years, exacerbating the backlog.
Green Card Waiting Time by Country
India
- Employment-based Green Card applicants, particularly in EB-2 and EB-3 categories, face waiting times of over a decade due to an overwhelming number of petitions.
- Family-sponsored applicants in the F4 category may experience 15+ years of delays.
China
- EB-5 investor visa applicants from China endure long wait times due to oversubscription.
- Employment-based EB-2 and EB-3 applicants also experience multi-year delays.
Mexico
- Family-based applications, particularly F1, F2B, and F3 categories, suffer from significant backlogs.
- Employment-based Green Cards see fewer delays compared to India and China.
Philippines
- Family-sponsored applications, particularly in the F3 and F4 categories, face prolonged waiting periods exceeding a decade.
- Employment-based Green Card processing is relatively quicker than India and China.
Other Countries
- Applicants from countries with lower Green Card demand generally experience faster processing.
- European, African, and some South American applicants face significantly shorter wait times in most categories.
Strategies to Reduce Green Card Waiting Time by Country
1. Employment-Based Adjustments
Switching from a family-sponsored to an employment-based category, such as EB-1 for highly skilled individuals, can reduce waiting times for certain applicants.
2. Investment-Based Green Card (EB-5)
Investing a minimum of $800,000 in a U.S. enterprise that creates jobs can provide a faster route to a Green Card for eligible investors.
3. National Interest Waiver (NIW)
EB-2 applicants can request a National Interest Waiver (NIW) to bypass labor certification, potentially speeding up the process.
4. Employer-Sponsored Applications
Professionals working in specialized fields may secure employer sponsorship under the EB-1 or EB-2 categories, reducing wait times in some cases.
5. Family-Based Sponsorship in Faster Categories
Immediate relatives (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens) receive priority and are not subject to per-country limits.
FAQs about Green Card Waiting Time by Country
Why do Green Card waiting times vary by country?
Green Card waiting times differ due to the per-country cap, demand exceeding available visas, and category-specific restrictions.
How can I check my Green Card priority date?
Applicants can monitor the U.S. Visa Bulletin released monthly by the Department of State to track priority date movements.
Which countries face the longest Green Card wait times?
India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines experience the longest delays due to high application volumes and visa oversubscription.
Can I expedite my Green Card application?
Certain categories, such as EB-1 or EB-5, offer faster processing options. Employers and investment-based petitions can also help reduce wait times.
What happens if my priority date retrogresses?
If demand surpasses available visas, priority dates move backward, delaying processing. Applicants must wait until their priority date becomes current again.
Conclusion
Understanding green card backlog by country times by country helps applicants make informed decisions about their immigration journey. While backlogs continue to affect many individuals, strategic approaches such as employment-based adjustments, investment opportunities, and staying updated on Visa Bulletin changes can help applicants navigate the process more efficiently. Green Card Waiting Time by Country and by exploring alternative pathways and ensuring timely documentation, prospective immigrants can optimize their chances of securing permanent residency in the U.S.
