Green Card Wait Time Estimator
Select your visa category and country of chargeability to see estimated wait times based on the Department of State monthly visa bulletin. This tool provides general estimates only and does not account for individual case circumstances.
Estimated Wait
How Green Card Wait Times Work
The US immigration system places annual caps on most green card categories, with per-country limits of 7% per category. When demand exceeds supply, a queue forms based on your priority date — the date your petition was filed or labor certification was filed.
Each month, the Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, which shows the cutoff dates for each category and country. If your priority date is earlier than the cutoff date, a visa number is available and you can proceed with your application.
Understanding the Categories
| Category | Annual Cap | Typical Wait (ROW) |
|---|---|---|
| Family (total) | 226,000 | 1-23 years |
| Employment (total) | 140,000 | 0-15+ years |
| EB-1 Priority Worker | 40,040 | 0-2 years |
| EB-2 Advanced Degree | 40,040 | 0-5+ years |
| EB-3 Skilled Worker | 40,040 | 0-7+ years |