Which Green Card Approval is Fastest?

If you’re considering moving to the United States, the green card is one of the most sought-after immigration documents. It grants you permanent resident status, allowing you to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. However, obtaining a green card is not a quick process. With different visa categories, each comes with its own processing times. So, if you’re looking for the fastest route to a green card, what’s the quickest option?

In this blog, we’ll break down the different types of green card approvals and explore which are the fastest, depending on your unique situation.

What is a Green Card?

Before diving into the details, let’s first clarify what a green card is. Officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, a green card is an identification card that shows a foreign national has been granted authorization to live and work permanently in the U.S. There are several pathways to obtaining a green card, and each route has varying timelines for approval.

Green Card Categories: How They Differ

There are five main categories for obtaining a U.S. green card:

1. Family-Based Green Card: Sponsored by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative.

2. Employment-Based Green Card: Sponsored by a U.S. employer for foreign workers with specialized skills.

3. Green Card Through Asylum or Refugee Status: For those who have been granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S.

4. Diversity Visa Lottery: A random lottery for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.

5. Other Categories: Special programs like the EB-5 investor visa or through special provisions for certain individuals.

Let’s now focus on which of these categories tend to have the fastest approval processes.

Fastest Green Card Approval Pathways

1. Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen (Family-Based)

The immediate relative category is often considered one of the fastest green card processes. This category includes:

• Spouses of U.S. citizens

• Unmarried children (under 21) of U.S. citizens

• Parents of U.S. citizens (if the citizen is 21 or older)

Why is this process so fast? Immediate relatives are not subject to the annual green card caps that apply to other family-based categories. As a result, processing times are typically shorter. The average processing time for an immediate relative green card can range from 12 months to 18 months, depending on the applicant’s location and whether they are applying inside or outside the U.S.

2. Employment-Based Green Cards (EB-1)

When it comes to employment-based green cards, the EB-1 category tends to have the fastest processing times. The EB-1 category is reserved for individuals who have extraordinary skills in their field. This includes:

• Individuals with extraordinary abilities in arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics

• Outstanding professors and researchers

• Multinational executives and managers

Since this category requires applicants to show exceptional abilities, it is generally faster to process compared to other employment-based green card options like EB-2 and EB-3, which may require additional labor certification processes.

EB-1 applicants often experience processing times of 6 months to 1 year, but this can vary depending on factors such as the applicant’s nationality, priority date, and service center handling the case.

3. Green Card Through Asylum or Refugee Status

For individuals granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S., the green card process can be relatively fast. After one year of holding asylum or refugee status, individuals can apply for a green card. Once the application is filed, it can take 6 months to 18 months to process, making it one of the faster routes to permanent residency for those in this category.

It’s important to note that this process is contingent on the applicant maintaining their asylum or refugee status and fulfilling all the necessary requirements during the application.

4. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery, also known as the Green Card Lottery, is another option, but it comes with an element of uncertainty. Each year, the U.S. government issues a set number of green cards to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. The lottery process itself can take time, and winners must go through an interview and further background checks.

While the lottery process can technically be quicker, the odds of winning the lottery are quite low, and the timeline can vary. If selected, it can take anywhere from 1 year to 2 years to complete the entire process.

5. EB-5 Investor Visa

For individuals with significant financial resources, the EB-5 Investor Visa can be one of the fastest ways to get a green card. This program allows individuals to obtain permanent residency by investing a minimum of $900,000 in a U.S. business that creates jobs for American workers.

EB-5 applicants typically face processing times of around 12 months to 18 months, but due to high demand and the complex nature of the application, there may be delays.

What Slows Down Green Card Processing?

While certain green card categories have faster approval times, there are factors that can delay processing:

1. Country of Origin: Some countries, like India and China, have high demand for green cards, leading to backlogs. For example, applicants from these countries may experience longer wait times in categories like EB-2 and EB-3.

2. Service Center Backlogs: USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) has different service centers, and some centers may have processing backlogs that delay approval times.

3. Completeness of the Application: Incomplete or incorrect applications can delay processing. It’s essential to double-check all forms and supporting documents before submission.

4. Security Clearances: Applicants are subject to background checks, and issues here can delay the process.

Conclusion: The Fastest Path Depends on Your Situation

In summary, the fastest green card approval is generally through the Immediate Relative category for family members of U.S. citizens, followed by the EB-1 Employment-Based category for individuals with extraordinary abilities. Asylum or refugee status holders may also find relatively quick processing times.

However, it’s important to remember that the fastest route depends on your specific situation, including your eligibility, country of origin, and the category you are applying under. Each case is unique, so it’s essential to consult with an immigration attorney to ensure you’re following the best path for your green card application.