U.S. Immigration

The estimated duration of the green card application process ranges from a couple of weeks to several years. This greatly depends on where you apply from (family immigration, work, investment, etc.) and your country of origin.

1. Categories of Green Cards

Immediate Relative to the U.S citizens: This category refers to the spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 years of age. The processing takes about 12 months to 18 months.

Family Preference: Bro and sisters and married or grown-up children of a US citizen or green card holder. This may require 2 to 15 years or even more, this is depending on the backlogs and also the demands in your country.

Employment-Based Green Cards

• EB-1: The quite extraordinary talent or international executives; the processing time is 8 to 18 months.
• EB-2 and EB-3: As an advanced degree specialist, a worker or professionals - 1 to more than 5 years mainly those who are Indian nationals or China nationals.

Investor Green Card (EB-5): The filed amount is 800,000to1,050,000, a number of full-time jobs to be created is not less than 10, and the period to have the process complete is 2 to 4 years.

Asylum Based: In this category the applicant can apply green card after a year of getting the asylum. Another 1 to 2 years of time are used on post substantive approval.

Diversity Visa Lottery – If selected, this takes 1-2 years.

2. Location of Application

Adjustment of Status (inside the U.S.): Generally faster and simpler if you’re already legally residing in the United States.

Consular Processing (outside the U.S.): Can involve longer delays due to visa interview scheduling and administrative processing at U.S. embassies or consulates.

3. Other Influencing Factors

• Country of origin: The countries where there is high demand on visa (e.g. India, China, Mexico or the Philippines) may take longer to be processed because of the per-country limits of visas.
• USCIS and NVC processing: It depends on the type of forms, their service centers, and the general load.
• Priority date and visa bulletin: In a few categories, mainly those under the family preference and under employment-based visas, the applicants are required to wait until the priority date is current.

Wait times vary, but the right strategy makes a difference.

At UOM, we break down the process clearly, helping you understand your wait time and how to manage it. Whether you're applying through family, employment, investment, or other categories, our licensed U.S. immigration attorneys provide tailored strategies to keep your case moving and avoid unnecessary delays.

When you complete the process of studying in the US in an F-1 visa, you cannot be entitled to a green card. But students find a way to obtain green cards after graduating by changing legal status, which is the most popular one:

Employment-Based Green Card

The studies will enable you to work with OPT or the STEM OPT extension. In case you get hired by a company in the US at this period, chances are that they will sponsor you in obtaining a green card under either of the following categories:

• EB-2 (for people with advanced degrees or those with significant abilities)
• EB-3 (for qualified employees or graduates holding a minimally 3-year degree with 2 years of experience)
• H-1B visa (Visa that presupposes the intent of becoming a green card holder; the one usually used by employers to fill the gap between F-1 visa and the green card).

Notice: Sponsorship needs a labor certification from PERM and a multi-procedural journey (Form I-140 and Form I-485).

Family Sponsored Green Card

Marriage-by-a-U.S-Citizen: Amongst the quickest methods through which a student may acquire a green card. After they have married, the American spouse can then submit Form I-130 and the student would be allowed to simultaneously submit Form I-485 in case he is in the U.S.

Family-Based Green Card: A U.S citizen or an individual with a green card may also sponsor your relatives. The processing time differs regarding the relationship and the status of the sponsor.

Other Options

EB-5 Investor Green Card: In case you or your family is able to invest 800,000 dollars (in a Targeted Employment Area) or one million five hundred dollars (standard investment) in an American business which employs people as full-time workers, you may be eligible to seek EB-5 visa. The visa gives a conditional green card, which may be made permanent in future.

National Interest Waiver (NIW) or EB-1 Extraordinary Ability: This is for the exceptionally high achieving students or researchers who can demonstrate that work of theirs leads to benefit of the U.S.

Asylum: You can seek asylum in the US in case you fear persecution in your native land, and in a case of an allowed asylum, seek a green card a year afterward.

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: As long as you are a citizen of a qualified country with low rates of U.S. immigration you are eligible to enter the DV Lottery and win a chance at a green card.

Important Considerations

• F-1 is not a dual intent visa: You must maintain the intent to return home during your studies. Any green card plan must be pursued carefully to avoid violating status.
• Visa Retrogression: Some green card categories (especially EB-2 and EB-3) may have wait times due to country-based quotas.
• Seek Legal Counsel: Because of the complexity, it's strongly recommended to consult with an experienced immigration attorney to plan the most effective route.

Not Sure What Comes After Your F-1 Visa?

At UOM, we help international students explore long-term immigration options beyond graduation — from employer-sponsored green cards to family-based paths, EB-5 investment, and even self-petition.

Our team of licensed U.S. immigration attorneys will guide you through every step, ensuring your transition from student to permanent resident is clear, compliant, and aligned with your future goals.

Investment to get a green card in the U.S with a EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is either 800,000 United States dollars or 1,050,000 depending on where you want to do the project.

Investment Amounts

• $1,050,000: The amount is the normal amount required by the majority of the EB-5 projects all over the U.S.
• 800,000: You can receive up to this lesser amount when you make your investment in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) such as an area that is either a rural area or a high unemployment (150 percent or higher than the national average) one.

Requirements Beyond the Investment

All the requirements of EB-5 program have to be satisfied by your investment in order to get a green card:

• Job Creation: The investment has to create or retain at least 10 full time jobs to U.S. labourers.
• At Risk Investment: You need to actively invest in some business with your money; leave it doing nothing in a bank. Profit or returns are not guaranteed.
• Legal Source of Funds: You are to demonstrate that your funds derived out of the investment activity were obtained lawfully (wages, company revenue, sale of an asset, inheritance, etc.). Besides, you will have to invest your money in some new business activity.

Family Benefits

EB-5 program grants unmarried children under 21 and your spouse the right to enjoy green card as the derivative beneficiaries.

Confused about EB-5 investment rules and options?

At UOM, we take the EB-5 in steps and with confidence, beginning with what project is most suitable to the expectations of UOM and ending up with your source of funds and the USCIS forms.

Our U.S. attorneys are licensed with experienced advisors who make the process of getting a green card much easier, safer and with full compliance to the government.

EB-5 program is a good measure to attain a green card through investment in a US business which meets some requirements and creates employment. Here is what goes on step by step:

Investment Requirements

In order to qualify under the EB-5 scheme, you have to:

• You can invest 1.05 million dollars in a U.S company or 800,000 dollars in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) which can either be a rural area or area that has high unemployment.
• The risk must be that of investment meaning that there are no chances of retrieving it. Money has to have legitimate origins such as a job, a business or an inheritance.

Job Creation Requirement

You will need to create or maintain no fewer than 10 full-time positions to qualified U.S. people within the span of around two years as a result of your investment.

Such workers should be:

• U.S. citizens
• Green-card holders (legitimate lasting inhabitants)
• Or immigrants who are officially allowed to work in the U.S.

Application

The EB-5 process starts by submitting Form I-526 or I-526E to the USCIS to demonstrate that the investment fulfilled all the demands of the program.

When your petition is granted, you plus your qualifying family members (your spouse and unmarried children under 21) can be able to file a request of a 2-year conditional green card.

Removal of Conditions: 

Before your 2-year green card expires, you must file Form I-829 during the 90-day window prior to expiration.

In your petition, you shall have to establish that:

• Your investment stayed in a risky situation and was maintained all through the 2-year term.
• You were a job creator (or would be by the time of the completion of the survey).

In case of approval of I-829, you will get a 10-year permanent green card, and you are no longer under the EB-5 conditions.

Path to Citizenship

Five years after acquiring the status of a permanent resident, you will have the right to apply to U.S. naturalization, but, of course, there should be full compliance with other requirements (e.g., physical presence, good moral character).

Important Considerations

EB-5 Visa Quota: EB-5 visas are subject to an annual quota cap, which can lead to delays—especially for applicants from high-demand countries.

TEA Status: The project must be located in an area that is a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) in order to get the reduced amount to invest in at $800,000. Before, every time please confirm TEA designation with USCIS.

Other expenses: Apart from your investment, you will have legal, government filing, and administrative fees- at least when investing under a Regional Center.

Making Your Investment Count towards Your Future

Obtaining a green card by investment is a tactful advantage though it cannot do without professional guidance.

At UOM, we guide investors throughout the process of the EB-5. We offer personalized services, as well as advice, with licensed U.S. attorneys and experienced advisors, guaranteeing that all actions are straight and in line with your future plans.

To apply for a green card (lawful permanent residence) in the U.S., follow these basic steps:

The Marriage Must Be Legally Valid

You have to be legally married in a place according to the laws of the given place of marriage.

• The U.S. immigration law is familiar with both homosexual and heterosexual unions.
• Domestic partnerships or civil unions are never satisfactory as a basis of immigration.

File Form I-130 to Establish the Relationship

USCIS demands form I -130, which is signed by the U.S citizen or green card holder spouse (the petitioner), to prove that the marriage between the two individuals was valid and genuine.

Required documents include:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or green card status (passport, birth certificate, green card)
• A valid marriage certificate
• A fact of an actual relationship exists (e.g. joint accounts, leases and photos, travel history)

If the Foreign Spouse is in the U.S.: Adjustment of Status

When the foreign spouse is already present in the U.S., he/she can request to have his/her status adjusted thus receiving a green card without having to leave the U.S.

Main forms to file:

• Form I-485: Application for permanent residence
• Form I-864: Affidavit of Support (financial sponsorship)
• Form I-765 (optional): Work authorization
• Form I-131 (optional): Travel permit (Advance Parole)
• Form I-693 Report of medical examination

When you are married to a U.S. citizen, you will be able to reach Form I-130 and I-485 in one pack or bundle (concurrent filing).

If the Foreign Spouse is Outside the U.S.: Consular Processing

When the foreign spouse is staying outside the country, the case will pass the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to either a U.S embassy or consulate.

Steps include:

• File Form DS-260 (immigrant visa application)
• Submit supporting civil documents and police certificates
• Attend an interview at a U.S. consulate
• Complete a medical exam with an approved doctor
• U.S. spouse must also submit Form I-864 to show financial support

Prove the Marriage is Genuine

Immigration authorities require proof that your marriage is real and not just for immigration benefits.

Examples of acceptable evidence:

• Joint bank accounts, credit cards, or insurance
• Shared lease or mortgage
• Utility bills with both names
• Travel documents, photos, messages
• Birth certificates of children (if any)

Attend the Interview and Complete a Medical Exam

• There are green card interviews that the couple would have to go (positioned at USCIS or held at a U.S embassy).
• The foreign spouse should be subjected to a medical check-up with a certified doctor.

In the course of the interviewing process, officers might inquire with specific details regarding your relating relationship, everyday life and future as a couple.

Receive Conditional or Permanent Green Card

• In case your marriage is not more than 2 years at the moment the green card is issued, the foreign distributor will be entitled to a 2-year conditional green card (CR-1).
• Before the term of the conditional card, which expires in two years, expires, you should file a Form I-751 in order to retrieve the former conditions and get a 10 year green card.

Start Your U.S. Immigration Journey with UOM

From investor and employment-based visas to study and relocation pathways, UOM delivers expert support at every stage of the U.S. immigration process. We turn complex procedures into clear, strategic steps — tailored to your goals.

A Green Card (officially called a Permanent Resident Card) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. The process involves several steps depending on your eligibility category. This guide outlines the complete process clearly and simply.

1. Determine Your Eligibility

One can apply the US Green Card under the following few ways:

Family-based: You qualify in this based on marriage to a US citizen, as a parent or unmarried child below 21 years of age of a US citizen or as a relative of a Green Card holder. The siblings and adult children of the US citizens can thus also be eligible, though they will have to wait longer.

Employment-based: You must get a job offer in the US or a strong work record in order to apply under employment-based green card. The three most common ones include EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3. You can also make the application in certain situations including like in the case of EB-1A category or under the National Interest Waiver category without an employer.

Other classes: Other classes can apply with green card are asylees and refugees, and also, some special classes such as religious workers.

2. File an Immigrant Petition

Before you apply for a Green Card, someone must generally file an immigrant petition on your behalf (unless you're self-petitioning).

Once USCIS approves the petition, you can move to the next step if a visa is available for your category.

3. Apply for a Green Card

Applications are done in two ways depending on your location:

Adjustment of Status (in the event of being in the United States)

If you are already in the United States and are able to qualify under the category of your choice, you may use form I-485, Application to Register Permanent residence or Adjust Status, in order to apply to a Green Card.

Consular Processing (assuming out-of-the-United States)

In case you are not in the United States, you can file your Green Card by Use of the Consular Processing at a U.S Embassy or U.S Consulate by filing Form DS-260 (Application for Immigrant Visa).

4. Gather Required Documents

Specific documents vary depending on your category, but typically include:

For all applicants:

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Document establishing relationship to applicant (e.g., marriage certificate)
• Green card or proof of citizenship of sponsor
• Recent passport-style photograph

For employees:

• Job offer letter
• Proof of qualifications (degrees, licenses, resume)
• Financial documents from employer (if required)

For other categories:

• You must have proof of refugee or asylum status, lottery winning notice, or religious documents.

5. Attend Biometrics and Interviews

Biometrics Appointment: After you fulfill the prerequisites, USCIS will set up a time and date to take your signature, photo, and fingerprints.

Interviews: The majority of applicants must go to an interview, which may be held in the US or on a US territory overseas. A staff member will examine your application during the interview and probe to verify your eligibility.

Planning to Immigrate to the U.S.?

UOM specializes in U.S. immigration solutions for professionals, investors, and business executives. From the beginning to the end, our qualified lawyers and knowledgeable advisors will offer precise, tactical advice, regardless of whether you are investigating pathways like L1, EB-1C, EB-3, EB-5, or F1.

With UOM at your side, take the next step toward your future in the US.