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If you have applied for permanent residence in the United States or if you plan to do so, you may want to know how long it takes for the Green Card to arrive after the interview. In this article we will briefly review the most important points you should know if you want to live and work in the US. requesting the green card (or green card). In addition, we will explain the time you must wait from when you enter your request until you receive a response from it.
The most advisable thing is to ask for advice from a good immigration lawyer, however, if you know some concepts related to the topic and understand the basic procedure to start the management, everything will be easier for you.
What is the green card?
The green card or Permanent Residence is an immigration status with which you can live and work in the United States legally. If you obtain this card you will be registered in the USA according to the immigration laws established by this country.
The process you must follow to obtain the green card is not easy, but if you get it you will have many advantages and benefits. In addition, after a while you can choose to apply for United States citizenship.
Ways to apply for the green card
There are several ways to apply for the Permanent Residence card. However, the steps to follow to start this process vary according to the situation of each person.
Although there are others, the most common ways to apply for the green card are the following:
By Family link
One of the most common ways to initiate a United States Permanent Residence application is through a family bond. Immigration laws allow US citizens and those with permanent residence in the US to apply to foreign relatives. Obviously, there are restrictions that are related to the type of relationship, the age of the applicant, among others.
Through an employer
Employers may apply for foreign employees who are living inside or outside the United States territory and who meet any of the conditions to be eligible:
- Skilled Professionals or Workers Not Available in the USA.
- Professionals with Advanced Degrees or People with Exceptional Skill
- Special Immigrants, such as religious workers or some doctors
By refugee status
Under the United States Immigration Law, people who suffer persecution due to their nationality, race, religion or belonging to a political or social opinion group can obtain refugee or asylum status.
Participating in the Diversity Visa Lottery
The United States government grants 50,000 visas annually through which Permanent Residents obtain people who come from countries with low immigration rates to the USA. This procedure is known as the Visa Lottery.
General procedure to apply for the green card
The procedure to follow to request a Green Card differs according to the situation of each person. However, here are the general steps that most green card applicants must complete:
- Someone files an immigrant petition and that person is known as a “sponsor”. In some cases the applicant for Permanent Residence may file the petition himself (self-petition).
- If there is a visa available for the category of the interested party, after USCIS approves your immigrant petition, you must submit the Green Card application.
- Present an appointment for the collection of biometric data, fingerprints, photographs and signature.
- Present yourself for an interview.
- Answer is received on the decision of the request.
Total Processing Time For a Green Card
Green card processing times may vary from case to case, depending on the eligibility category and a number of other factors. Based on historical data offered by the USCIS, the average time for a green card from start to finish is about 11 months for applications based on family ties and job offer. Asylum and refugee cases are generally faster, from 6.9 to 8.9 months respectively.
However, those numbers correspond to how long it takes the USCIS to process the green card application (Form I-485), not necessarily how long it takes for your green card to arrive in the mail. Depending on the category of eligibility, the applicant may need to wait several months or years for an immigrant visa to be available, since the USCIS cannot issue a green card until there is a visa number attached to it.
What to do if you change your residence before receiving your green card?
When a green card applicant moves at any time during the review process, it is the applicant’s responsibility to inform the USCIS of the address change. Updating your address in the USCIS system should not have any effect on the processing time but not complying with the USCIS update of a change of residence may cause worse problems. As soon as you move, call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 to update your address.
Keep in mind that if the USCIS sends your green card to the wrong address because you did not offer them the updated address, you will have to apply for a new green card and pay a $ 455 application fee. Not only is it expensive, but it will take 4.5 to 11.5 months to process the replacement request and send a new green card.
What to do if your green card is delayed?
If you have not received your green card in an appropriate time (90-120 days for immigrants who recently entered the United States, or 60 days for immigrants requesting a status adjustment), the first step is to call the Contact Center of the USCIS If the Contact Center is not able to assist you, your second option is to contact the USCIS officer who completed your green card interview. The last option is to schedule an INFOPASS meeting with an immigration officer at the local USCIS office.
A delayed green card can be a bad sign that something is wrong with your request. If you have not yet hired an immigration lawyer to represent you, this is a good time to at least consult with a lawyer. Even if you do not need the services of a lawyer, they can offer advice on how to fix what stops your green card.
How to Order a Replacement Green Card?
Whether you need a replacement green card because yours never arrived in the mail or arrived with errors, you can request a replacement card with Form I-90 , Application to Replace a Permanent Resident Card. This form can also be used to replace lost, stolen, destroyed and mutilated green cards. If you need a replacement card because you never received your green card in the mail, you will need to attach a copy of Form I-797 , Notice of Action, to the USCIS form that granted your green card approval.
You will also need to include a copy of your identity card issued by the government which must have your name, date of birth, signature and a photograph. As long as the USCIS has mailed the card 30 days before or more, it has been returned for not being able to deliver, and you have not moved from the address you offered, there will be no charge for this service. Unfortunately, if you moved and did not update your address with the USCIS, you will have to pay the $ 455 fee.
If you received your green card but there are errors with the card (that is, your name is misspelled or your date of birth is not correct), you will need to attach evidence to prove that the information is incorrect, such as a certificate of birth or identity card issued by the government. You will also need to return the green card so that the USCIS can verify the error. If the error is due to your failure (for example, a bad writing on your application), unfortunately you will have to pay the filing fee of $ 455. If the error is on the part of the USCIS and you can prove it (simply include a copy of your application that shows that you entered the information correctly), the introductory fee will be exempt.
In any case, the USCIS takes an average of 7 months to process Form I-90 and issue a replacement green card. During this time, your only proof of permanent resident status will be the I-551 stamp on your passport.
I 485 Processing Time
After filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, and related forms, your I-485 processing time can take anywhere from 8-14 months.
| CALIFORNIA | Fastest Approved Case | Raise USCIS SR Date |
|---|---|---|
| Employment-based adjustment applications | Receipt: 25 Mar, 19 Approved in 8 month 26 days |
07 Feb, 16 Slowest case approval in 3 year 10 month |
| VERMONT | Fastest Approved Case | Raise USCIS SR Date |
|---|---|---|
| Based on an approved T Visa | Receipt: 24 Sep, 18 Approved in 1 year 2 month |
21 Mar, 18 Slowest case approval in 1 year 9 month |
| Based on an approved U Visa | Receipt: 25 Mar, 19 Approved in 8 month 26 days |
15 Mar, 18 Slowest case approval in 1 year 9 month |
| TEXAS | Fastest Approved Case | Raise USCIS SR Date |
|---|---|---|
| Based on grant of asylum more than 1 year ago | Receipt: 22 Jan, 19 Approved in 10 month 28 days |
07 Feb, 18 Slowest case approval in 1 year 10 month |
| Employment-based adjustment applications | Receipt: 25 Mar, 19 Approved in 8 month 26 days |
06 May, 18 Slowest case approval in 1 year 7 month |
| NEBRASKA | Fastest Approved Case | Raise USCIS SR Date |
|---|---|---|
| Under HRIFA, Indochinese Adjustment Act, Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act, or NACARA | Receipt: 21 Jun, 18 Approved in 1 year 5 month |
11 May, 04 Slowest case approval in 15 year 7 month |
| Based on grant of asylum more than 1 year ago | Receipt: 22 Jul, 19 Approved in 4 month 27 days |
12 Feb, 18 Slowest case approval in 1 year 10 month |
| Employment-based adjustment applications | Receipt: 25 Mar, 19 Approved in 8 month 26 days |
06 May, 18 Slowest case approval in 1 year 7 month |
| Based on refugee admission more than 1 year ago | Receipt: 25 Mar, 19 Approved in 8 month 26 days |
06 Nov, 18 Slowest case approval in 1 year 1 month |
I485 approval time
After filing Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, and related forms, your I-485 processing time can take anywhere from 8-14 months. The basis of your adjustment of status (e.g. family, employment, asylum, etc.) will be a significant factor. This is an approximation.
How long after Biometrics to get Work Permit
Typically what happens when you file for naturalization is you get a biometrics appointment about 2 weeks after your case has been received, and then they do a background check. Eventually, you get set for an interview. Most interviews are taking about 5 or 6 months to get scheduled. Receipt of Green Card 1-4 weeks.
Applicant receives I-551 green card from the USCIS 1 to 2 weeks after approval of the adjustment of status.
How long does it take to get a green card after Biometrics?
It depends on the type of application. It can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months.
How long does it take EAD Card to arrive after Approval
The USCIS takes approximately 90 days to issue a new EAD card, from the date of original filing. In some case, it may take more or less time.
How long to receive Green Card after Interview
The immigration service interview (USCIS) is the last step in applying for Permanent Residency in the United States. Usually, that day they don’t tell you if your request will be approved or denied because the officer must submit the documents and forms you submitted for review.
Although there is no fixed deadline to respond, after a few days, usually two weeks, USCIS will notify you if your residence was approved or not. If you wish, you can check the status of your case online.
If your green card is approved you should receive a welcome packet in the mail approximately 30 days after approval. Your card will be mailed shortly after the welcome package.
Now that you know how long it takes for the green card to arrive after the interview, you can take the necessary measures if you do not receive a response within the stipulated deadlines.