There are various routes to getting a Green Card for the USA, involving differing timescales and eligibility requirements.

Employment-based categories like EB-1 for extraordinary ability and EB-5 for investors often provide quicker approval than other routes. Family sponsorship can also lead to a green card, with spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of US citizens typically having the shortest wait times. The Diversity Visa Lottery is another option, though selection is random.

Processing times also vary, and government backlogs may slow certain categories. Some employment-based cases allow premium processing, which speeds up initial approvals but does not guarantee immediate residency.

Regardless of your route, to avoid delays in application processing, such as requests for further information, you will need to provide strong supporting evidence of your eligibility.

 

What is a Green Card?

 

A Green Card will allow you, as a non-US national, to settle in the USA on a permanent basis. It evidences the authorization granted by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)  for non-US citizens to settle in the United States indefinitely with lawful permanent resident status.

A Green Card will allow you to live, work and study in the US indefinitely, as well as travel in and out of the country, without having to seek further immigration approvals. It will also provide you with a pathway to US citizenship.

 

Fastest Green Card Pathways

 

There is no instant way to get a green card, but some routes are significantly faster than others. The time it takes depends on eligibility, visa availability, government processing and whether the applicant meets all the necessary requirements without delays. Many green card categories, including those based on employment and family sponsorship, can take years due to backlogs and visa limits. Some categories offer priority processing, while others face years-long backlogs.

The following are the main routes offering the fastest path to a green card.

 

Green Card Category	Processing Time	Who Qualifies?	Faster processing?
EB-1 (Extraordinary Ability, Executives, Researchers)	8–18 months	Highly skilled individuals, researchers, executives	No labor certification required, priority processing available
Marriage-Based Green Card (US Citizen Spouse)	12–18 months	Spouses of US citizens	Immediate relatives do not wait for a visa number
EB-5 Investor Green Card	12–24 months	Investors with $800,000+ in a US business	Direct green card path if investment meets job creation rules
Green Card Through Military	Varies, often expedited	Spouses and immediate family of active-duty military	USCIS prioritizes military family cases
Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery)	1–2 years	Selected applicants from underrepresented countries	No employer or family sponsor required, direct processing if selected
EB-2 & EB-3 Employment-Based Green Cards	2–10+ years	Skilled workers, professionals with advanced degrees	Requires labor certification (PERM), often has long wait times
Family-Sponsored Green Cards (Except Spouses of US Citizens)	Several years to decades	Siblings, children, and extended family of US citizens or green card holders	Limited visa availability, priority date backlogs

 

 

Employment-based Green Card

 

Within the employment-based green card category, multiple subcategories of workers can apply for lawful permanent residence. In some cases, their spouses and children may also qualify for a green card.

The main categories are as follows:

 

• First preference immigrant worker (EB-1) – for priority workers who have an extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, demonstrated through sustained national or international acclaim; or they are an outstanding professor or researcher; or a multinational manager or executive who meets certain criteria.
• Second preference immigrant worker (EB-2) – for those who are a member of a profession that requires an advanced degree; or have exceptional ability in the sciences, arts or business; or are seeking a national interest waiver. You may be eligible for an interest waiver where you are a physician who agrees to work full-time in clinical practice in a designated underserved area for a specified period of time.
• Third preference immigrant worker (EB-3) – for skilled, unskilled and professional workers, namely skilled workers whereby your job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience; or an unskilled worker meaning you will perform unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience; or a professional whereby your job requires at least a US bachelor’s degree, or a foreign equivalent, and you are a member of the profession.
• There are also employment-based categories for special workers (EB-4), including media professionals, as well as religious workers and ministers; and a category for the immigrant investor (EB-5).

 

One of the fastest routes to a green card is the EB-1 green card, which is available to individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers. This category does not require labor certification (PERM), making it quicker than many other employment-based options (such as EB-2 and EB-3 which do require PERM labor certification with additional processing time). Processing typically takes between 8 to 18 months, depending on individual circumstances and service center workload.

The EB-5 immigrant investor green card is another fast-track option, available to individuals who invest at least $800,000 if the investment is in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). If the investment is outside of a TEA, the minimum investment is $1,050,000. This process typically takes 12 to 24 months, with priority given to investments in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs). Although the EB-5 visa offers a direct route to a green card, applicants must ensure their investment meets all program requirements to avoid delays or denials.

The process for employment-sponsored petitions is not overly different from family-sponsored petitions. The visa bulletin lists the different employment-based preference categories and current cut-off dates for each category.

However, the wait times for employment-based immigrant visas are nowhere near as long as family-sponsored petitions. That said, employment-based petitions require a lot more work and documentation from you and your sponsoring employer.

 

Family-based Green Card

 

You may be eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence where you are the immediate relative of a US citizen, ie; the spouse, unmarried child under the age of 21, or parent where the US. citizen is aged over 21, and that relative is prepared to file a petition on your behalf to sponsor you.

US immigration law also allows certain foreign nationals who are other family members of US citizens, or relatives of lawful permanent residents, to apply for a green card on the basis of specific family relationships.

These are based on the following five immigrant preference categories:

 

• First preference (F1) – unmarried sons and daughters, 21 years of age and older, of US citizens
• Second preference (F2A) – spouses and children, unmarried and under 21 years of age, of lawful permanent residents
• Second preference (F2B) – unmarried sons and daughters, 21 years of age and older, of lawful permanent residents
• Third preference (F3) – married sons and daughters of US citizens, and
• Fourth preference (F4) – brothers and sisters of US citizens, if the US citizen is 21 years of age and older.

 

Another option is the marriage-based green card for spouses of US citizens. This process is often one of the quickest family-sponsored pathways because immediate relatives of US citizens do not need to wait for a visa number. If applying from within the US, processing takes around 12 to 18 months, while applicants applying from abroad may face slightly longer wait times due to consular processing.

However, US immigration law sets a limit on the total number of immigrant visa numbers that are assigned in each preference category every year, as well as the number that can be given out to foreign nationals from a particular country. Family-sponsored green cards for siblings or adult children of US citizens can take decades due to limited visa availability.

Official visa bulletins provide timing guidelines for foreign nationals seeking to apply for lawful permanent residency. In this way you can check when best to apply, and whether visas are still available, or if there is a backlog for applicants from your particular country.

There are, however, some petition types that are immediately eligible for immigrant visa numbers, in particular, the spouse, children or parents of US citizens are eligible without a wait. As such, these immediate relatives have the least barriers in their path to obtaining a green card.

It is also important to note that the preference type alone does not make one path faster than another. A number of factors play a role in the wait time for an immigrant visa number, such as the number of petitions filed under each preference category and the national origin of the applicant. In reality then, in some cases the wait time may be just a matter of a few months, but in others it can run into several years.

Please note, most extended family members such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins, do not qualify for a family-sponsored green card.

For those connected to the US military, green card processing can often be expedited. Spouses and immediate family members of active-duty service members receive priority processing, reducing wait times compared to other family-sponsored categories.

 

Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery

 

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program is a lottery-style draw administered by the Department of State, open to natives of countries with historically low rates of immigration to the USA. Selected applicants from eligible countries can receive a green card in one to two years, provided they meet all requirements and follow the correct steps promptly. However, this process is entirely based on random selection, making it an unpredictable route.

Enrollment into the Green Card Lottery is open to those originating from a qualifying country, where fewer than 50,000 natives in various visa categories immigrated to the United States during the previous 5-year period.

Each entrant must also meet the education or work experience requirement by having either completed at least a US. high school education, or its foreign equivalent, or obtained 2 years work experience within the past 5 years in an occupation that requires at least 2 years of training or experience.

In the event that you are lucky enough to be selected for a visa under the DV program, an immigrant visa number will be immediately available, thus creating a speedy path to permanent residency. However, being successfully selected for a diversity visa does not guarantee you will be granted lawful permanent residence.

You must still meet the strict eligibility requirements to go on to qualify for a visa, in particular, you must not have a history of criminal activity or US immigration violations. You must also provide proof that you will be able to support yourself, as well as any family members applying with you.

Please note, when applying for a visa under the DV program there is a limited timeframe each year to enter.

 

Need assistance?

 

While no green card is issued instantly, careful planning, strong documentation, and understanding processing times can help avoid unnecessary delays. Some categories allow premium processing, which speeds up certain steps but does not guarantee an immediate green card. NNU Immigration’s specialist US immigration attorneys can help with all Green Card applications, including advice on eligibility and the application process.

If you have a specific question or require support with your application, please get in touch contact us.

This article does not constitute direct legal advice and is for informational purposes only.

 

US Green Card FAQ

 

What is the fastest way to get a green card?

The fastest way to get a green card depends on eligibility The EB-1 green card for extraordinary ability, the EB-5 investor visa, and marriage to a US citizen are among the quickest routes.

 

Can I expedite my green card application?

Certain petitions qualify for expedited processing, such as those with humanitarian reasons, national interest, or urgent business needs Premium processing is available for some employment-based visas but does not guarantee faster green card approval.

 

How long does it take to get a marriage-based green card?

If married to a US citizen and applying from inside the US, the process can take 12 to 18 months Applications from outside the US may take longer due to consular processing times.

 

Does the EB-5 investor visa offer a fast green card?

The EB-5 visa grants a green card to investors who invest at least $800,000 in a qualifying US business that creates jobs Processing times vary but can be faster than some employment-based green cards.

 

Can I get a green card through employment quickly?

EB-1 green cards for individuals with extraordinary ability, multinational executives, or outstanding professors are the fastest among employment-based categories The PERM labor certification process for EB-2 and EB-3 visas takes longer.

 

What is premium processing, and does it speed up a green card?

Premium processing is an optional service that expedites visa petition decisions for certain work visas, but it does not directly speed up green card processing.

 

Can I apply for a green card while on a temporary visa?

Many visa holders apply for adjustment of status to a green card while in the US if they qualify Certain visas, like the H-1B or L-1, allow dual intent, making the transition easier.

 

Are there any risks in trying to speed up the green card process?

Rushing the process without meeting eligibility requirements or providing complete documentation can lead to delays, requests for evidence, or denial Seeking professional advice helps avoid mistakes.

 

Can I enter the diversity visa lottery for a fast green card?

The Diversity Visa Lottery offers green cards to selected applicants from underrepresented countries, but selection is random and does not guarantee approval.

 

Does having a job offer in the US help get a green card faster?

It depends on the employer-sponsored green card category The EB-1 category is the fastest, while EB-2 and EB-3 require labor certification, which can take longer.

 

Can I apply for a green card if I have family in the US?

Immediate relatives of US citizens, such as spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21, have faster processing times compared to other family-sponsored categories.

 

How do I check my green card application status?

You can check the status of your application on the USCIS website using your receipt number Processing times vary based on visa type and service center workload.

 

Glossary

 

 

Term	Definition
Green Card	A document granting permanent residency and work authorization in the US.
Adjustment of Status (AOS)	The process of applying for a green card while already in the US without leaving the country.
Consular Processing	The process of applying for a green card through a US embassy or consulate abroad.
EB-1 Green Card	An employment-based green card for individuals with extraordinary ability, multinational executives, and outstanding professors.
EB-2 Green Card	A green card for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability, often requiring PERM labor certification.
EB-3 Green Card	A green card for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers sponsored by a US employer.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program	A green card pathway for investors who invest at least $800,000 in a US business that creates jobs.
PERM Labor Certification	A required process for most employment-based green cards that proves no qualified US workers are available for the job.
Family-Sponsored Green Card	A green card obtained through sponsorship by a US citizen or permanent resident relative.
Immediate Relative Green Card	A faster family-based green card for spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of US citizens.
Marriage-Based Green Card	A green card granted to spouses of US citizens or green card holders.
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery	A government program that grants green cards to randomly selected applicants from underrepresented countries.
Premium Processing	A paid USCIS service that speeds up visa petition processing but does not apply to green card applications.
Visa Bulletin	A monthly publication by the Department of State showing green card priority date backlogs for family and employment categories.
Priority Date	The date USCIS receives a green card petition, determining when an applicant can proceed with their case.
Affidavit of Support	A required document proving that a green card sponsor can financially support the applicant.
Request for Evidence (RFE)	A notice from USCIS asking for additional documentation to process a green card application.
Biometrics Appointment	A required fingerprinting and photo session for background checks during the green card application process.
Work Authorization (EAD)	A temporary permit allowing green card applicants to work while their case is pending.
Advance Parole	A travel document allowing green card applicants to leave and re-enter the US while their case is pending.
Dual Intent Visa	A visa that allows holders to apply for a green card while maintaining temporary status, such as H-1B and L-1 visas.