Green Card Priority Dates and Waiting Times

1. What is the Green Card priority date?


Green Card priority date is the date when an individual first expresses an intent to immigrate to the United States. This date determines the order in which the individual can file an application to become a permanent resident.

2. How does the Green Card priority date determine my wait time?


The Green Card priority date is the date that USCIS officially determines that your I-140 petition is eligible for consideration. This date is used by the US Department of State to determine when you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in the United States. The earlier your priority date, the earlier you will be able to apply for a Green Card. As the demand for Green Cards exceeds the number of available spots, there can be long waits before a priority date becomes current and you are able to apply for a Green Card.

3. How long does it take to get a Green Card after the priority date is current?


It typically takes several months for someone to receive a Green Card after their priority date is current. The exact amount of time will vary depending on the type of Green Card being requested and the individual’s country of origin.

4. How do I check my Green Card priority date?


You can check your Green Card priority date by consulting the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, which contains the priority dates for all types of permanent residency visas. You can also contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to inquire about your specific case and to obtain an approximate timeline for when you may expect to receive your Green Card.

5. What is the current Green Card priority date?


The priority date for all countries is March 8th, 2020.

6. How much longer will I have to wait for a green card if my priority date is not yet current?


It is impossible to answer this question definitively without knowing more specifics about your particular case. In general, however, the amount of time it takes to receive a green card depends on the visa type and processing times at the USCIS. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to check the Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State for your priority date’s current status and projected availability.

7. How does where I live affect my Green Card wait time?


The wait time for a Green Card can vary depending on where you live. Your wait time can depend on the country in which you were born, the country from which you applied, and even the visa category you applied in. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) divides the world into different geographic regions. Each region has a different priority-date-cutoff when it comes to Green Card applications. Priority-date-cutoff means that USCIS will only process applications with a certain date or earlier. To find out the current priority-date-cutoff in your region, check the Visa Bulletin published by USCIS. Generally, applicants from countries with lower immigration rates to the United States will have shorter wait times than those from countries with higher immigration rates.

8. How does family-based immigration affect my Green Card wait time?


Family-based immigration can affect Green Card wait times depending on the visa category. Family-based categories generally have higher wait times than employment-based categories, but some family-based categories have shorter wait times. Generally speaking, the wait time for a family-based Green Card is usually longer than the wait time for an employment-based Green Card. However, this can vary significantly depending on the visa category and the country of origin.

9. How does employment-based immigration affect my Green Card wait time?


Employment-based immigration affects Green Card wait time based on a variety of factors. Primarily, the wait time will depend on the individual’s nationality, the priority date, and the current visa availability. Generally speaking, individuals from certain countries with a backlog in their home country may experience longer wait times for their Green Card application to be processed. Additionally, if the priority date for an individual’s application is not current, they may experience a longer wait time. Finally, visa availability can affect the wait time for Green Card approval as well, as the annual available green cards are divided among different categories.

10. How is the Green Card priority date determined?


The Green Card priority date is determined by the date the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives a properly filed immigrant petition. The priority date is usually the date when the application was properly filed. This priority date is important because it is the date used to determine when a person may be eligible to apply for a Green Card.

11. What is the difference between immediate relative visa and family-sponsored immigrant visa categories and how do they affect my Green Card wait time?


Immediate relative visa categories allow eligible family members of U.S. citizens to become lawful permanent residents (LPRs) without having to wait for a visa to become available, while family-sponsored immigrant visas require applicants to wait for an available visa before they can immigrate. Immediate relative visa categories include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older. Family-sponsored immigrant visa categories include unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and spouses and children of LPRs.

The wait time for a Green Card will depend on the category chosen by the applicant and the country from which they are applying. Generally, applicants in the immediate relative visa category have a shorter wait time than those in the family-sponsored immigrant visa categories, since the immediate relative visas do not require applicants to wait for an available visa number.

12. What is the Visa Bulletin and how can it help me estimate my Green Card wait time?


The Visa Bulletin is a publication from the U.S. Department of State that provides up-to-date information on visa availability each month for individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States. The bulletin includes the priority date cutoff for the current month, which can be used to estimate how long it will take for a particular individual to receive their Green Card. The priority date cutoff is the date on which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received an individual’s visa application. Individuals whose priority date is earlier than the cutoff date can expect their Green Card in the near future, while those with a later priority date may have to wait longer.

13. Is there any way to expedite my Green Card application process?


The USCIS website states that it is not possible to expedite the process of obtaining a Green Card. The processing time for filing a Green Card application varies depending on the type of application and other factors such as backlogs and the applicant’s individual circumstances.

14. What factors can delay my Green Card application process?


There are many factors that can delay the Green Card application process, including:
– Incomplete or inaccurate application materials
– Unclear or missing supporting documents
– Overdue fees
– Lack of a valid passport
– Multiple applications with the same immigration office
– Immigration office backlogs
– Criminal background checks

15. What impact do visa retrogressions have on my Green Card wait time?


Visa retrogressions can significantly increase the amount of time it takes to receive a Green Card. When retrogressions occur, the visas that are allocated to certain countries and categories for a certain year are completely used up before that year is over. This means that visa applications for those countries and categories will have to wait until more visas are allocated at the start of the next fiscal year. As a result, the wait time for a Green Card can be extended by several months or years, depending on the severity of the retrogression.

16. Are there any steps I can take to reduce my Green Card wait time?


Yes, there are a few steps you can take to reduce your Green Card wait time:

-Apply for an immigrant visa through a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the U.S.

-Join the U.S. Armed Forces

-Obtain a green card through a family member who is a permanent resident or U.S. citizen

-Obtain a green card through employment

-File for an expedited processing of your application

17. Are there any additional fees associated with expediting the Green Card application process?


Yes, additional fees associated with expediting the Green Card application process may include government filing fees, immigrant visa application processing fees, biometrics fees, and any optional services you may choose to purchase.

18. How often is the Visa Bulletin updated and by whom?


The Visa Bulletin is updated every month by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

19. Is there any way to find out where I am in the waiting list for a Green Card?


Yes. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides an online tool to view the current status of your green card application. This tool is available through the USCIS website.

20. What details do I need to provide in order to update my Green Card priority date?


To update your Green Card priority date, you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, alien registration number (also known as A-number), supporting documents, and a payment for the applicable fees.