How long until my green card?
Tell us how far you have got. We chain PWD, PERM, I-140, the Visa Bulletin and I-485 together and estimate each step from the latest DOL data and bulletin.
At today’s pace, PWD to green card takes about
26 months
Before any Visa Bulletin wait: countries with a backlog add that on top.
Your estimate, step by step
What the estimate assumes
- PWD: about 3 months at DOL’s current pace (September 30, 2026).
- Recruitment to PERM filing: usually 2 to 4 months, set by your employer and attorney.
- PERM review: the same model as the home page, from DOL’s latest numbers.
- I-140: about 3.7 months median for regular processing (USCIS historical median, fiscal 2026); 15 business days with premium.
- Priority date: the November 2026 final action date, projected at its average pace over the past 24 months. Dates can move forward or back.
- I-485: filed once the date is current and the I-140 is approved; about 5 to 14 months to decide.
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Questions people ask
How accurate is this timeline?
Each later step is less certain than the one before. PWD and PERM use DOL’s latest data; how fast the Visa Bulletin moves depends on yearly visa numbers and demand and can change sharply. Read the result as a range, and ask your attorney about your own case.
Why are the India and China waits so long?
No single country can use more than 7% of the employment-based green cards in a year. Countries with many applicants build long lines, so the same category has much earlier dates for India and China.
Can I file I-140 and I-485 together?
Yes, if your priority date is current for filing that month (concurrent filing). If it is not, you file I-485 once your date becomes current.