Green Card Wait Time Calculator
Estimate your employment-based green card wait time based on your country of birth and EB category. Uses the latest April 2026 Visa Bulletin data from the U.S. Department of State.
* April dates are H1BScope projections based on historical movement. Verify with official Visa Bulletin.
| Category | India | China | Rest of World |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Mar 2023 | Mar 2023 | Current |
| EB-2 | Oct 2013 | Oct 2021 | Current |
| EB-3 | Dec 2013 | Jun 2021 | Current |
Calculate Your Green Card Wait Time
Your chargeability is typically your country of birth, not citizenship.
Your priority date is when your PERM or I-140 was filed. If "not yet filed", we'll estimate from today.
Your Estimated Wait Time
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Compare With Other Countries
Priority Date Movement (2020-2026)
What This Means For You
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Understanding Employment-Based Green Card Categories
EB-1: Priority Workers
- EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability (self-petition)
- EB-1B: Outstanding Researchers/Professors
- EB-1C: Multinational Managers/Executives
No PERM labor certification required
EB-2: Advanced Degree
- Master's degree or higher, OR
- Bachelor's + 5 years progressive experience
- EB-2 NIW: National Interest Waiver (self-petition)
PERM required (except NIW)
EB-3: Skilled Workers
- Professionals: Bachelor's degree required
- Skilled Workers: 2+ years training/experience
- Other Workers: Unskilled (limited to 10K/year)
PERM required for all categories
Why Are Wait Times So Long for India and China?
The employment-based green card system has a 7% per-country cap, meaning no single country can receive more than 7% of the ~140,000 annual EB green cards. This translates to roughly 9,800 visas per country per year.
The India Backlog Problem
India has the longest green card backlog because:
- High demand from IT and tech workers
- Limited to ~9,800 visas/year across ALL EB categories
- Current EB-2 India priority date: September 2013 (12+ years backlog)
- New filers may wait 20-30+ years at current rates
By contrast, applicants from "Rest of World" countries (like UK, Canada, Australia, most European and African nations) typically see "Current" dates, meaning they can file for adjustment of status immediately after I-140 approval.
What is a Priority Date?
Your priority date is your "place in line" for a green card. It determines when you become eligible to file for adjustment of status (I-485) or immigrant visa processing.
For PERM-based cases (most EB-2/EB-3)
Priority date = Date PERM application was filed with DOL
For non-PERM cases (EB-1, EB-2 NIW)
Priority date = Date I-140 petition was filed with USCIS
You can file I-485 (Adjustment of Status) when your priority date is earlier than the "Final Action Date" in the monthly Visa Bulletin for your category and country.
Strategies to Reduce Your Wait Time
1. Consider EB-2 NIW
The National Interest Waiver allows self-petitioning without employer sponsorship. No PERM required. However, you still face the same EB-2 priority date backlog.
2. EB-1 Qualification
If you qualify for EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-1B (outstanding researcher), these categories move faster than EB-2/EB-3 and don't require PERM.
3. Dual Filing (EB-2 + EB-3)
Some attorneys recommend filing both EB-2 and EB-3 petitions. Occasionally EB-3 moves faster, and you can use whichever becomes current first.
4. Priority Date Portability
If your I-140 is approved for 180+ days, you can retain your priority date even if you change employers. This is called "priority date porting."
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the EB-2 green card wait for Indians?
As of April 2026, the EB-2 India Final Action Date is October 1, 2013, representing approximately 12+ years of backlog. Based on historical movement rates of ~5 months per year, new filers today can expect wait times of 20-30 years or more. This makes it one of the longest immigration backlogs in the world.
What is the difference between EB-2 and EB-3 wait times?
For India, EB-2 and EB-3 have similar backlogs (both around 12-13 years behind). EB-3 sometimes moves slightly faster because there's more visa spillover from other categories. For China, EB-3 has a slightly longer backlog (~5 years) compared to EB-2 (~4.5 years). For Rest of World, both are typically "Current" with no wait.
Should I downgrade from EB-2 to EB-3?
"Downgrading" to EB-3 can sometimes be strategic if EB-3 dates are moving faster. Your attorney can file both an EB-2 and EB-3 petition (dual filing), allowing you to use whichever becomes current first. You'll retain your original priority date when porting between categories.
What is EB-2 NIW and does it have faster processing?
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) allows you to self-petition without an employer sponsor or PERM labor certification. However, NIW uses the same EB-2 priority dates, so the backlog is identical. The advantage is flexibility - you don't need employer sponsorship and can file while working for any employer or even unemployed.
Can my priority date be ported to a new employer?
Yes! If your I-140 has been approved and you've maintained valid status, you can "port" your priority date to a new employer's green card petition. This is especially valuable for those with old priority dates. You'll need to start a new PERM and I-140 with the new employer, but your original priority date carries over.
How often do visa bulletin dates change?
The U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin monthly, usually around the 15th of each month for the following month. Dates can move forward, stay the same, or occasionally retrogress (move backward) if demand exceeds supply. It's important to monitor the bulletin regularly, especially near fiscal year end (September).
What's the difference between "Final Action Date" and "Dates for Filing"?
The Visa Bulletin has two charts: Final Action Dates determine when your visa can be issued (or I-485 approved). Dates for Filing determine when you can submit your I-485 application. USCIS announces each month which chart to use. Filing early provides benefits like work authorization (EAD) and travel permits (Advance Parole).
Will legislation fix the green card backlog?
Several bills have been proposed to eliminate or raise the per-country cap, including the EAGLE Act and Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act. However, none have passed as of 2026. Any legislative change would significantly impact wait times, but the political landscape remains uncertain. Plan based on current law rather than anticipated changes.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates only and is for informational purposes. Actual green card wait times depend on many factors including visa bulletin movements, USCIS processing times, and legislative changes. Priority dates can move forward, remain static, or retrogress unpredictably. This tool does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for guidance on your specific situation. H1BScope is not affiliated with USCIS or the Department of State.