If you’ve ever wondered why it takes so long to process a marriage green card in the United States, you’re not alone. But instead of asking why it takes so long, a better question is, why does it take that long? Understanding the process can help you plan better for the wait.
Two Parts of the Green Card Process
There are two main parts to getting a green card: processing inside the U.S. and outside the U.S. The wait times depend on which one applies to you.
Who Is Involved?
Every green card process has two people: the sponsor and the beneficiary. The sponsor is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and the beneficiary is the person who wants the green card.
This post will focus on family-based petitions. No matter if the person is inside or outside the U.S., the process starts the same way.
Step 1: Filing the Petition (Form I-130)
The first step is filing Form I-130, also known as the Petition for Alien Relative. This form shows that the sponsor is related to the beneficiary. Immigration reviews the petition to make sure the relationship is real and that both the sponsor and beneficiary qualify.
The documents you need depend on the type of relationship, whether it’s a spouse, parent, child, or sibling. For example, you may need to provide birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other proof.
Once the I-130 is approved, the process continues. The next steps are different depending on whether the beneficiary is inside or outside the U.S.
If the Beneficiary is Inside the U.S.
- Biometrics Appointment: After the I-130 is approved, the beneficiary has a biometrics appointment, where fingerprints and photos are taken. The government uses this information to run a background check, which usually takes 1 to 3 months.
- Work Permit: During this time, if the beneficiary has the right to work in the U.S., they may receive a work permit. This usually takes 3 or 4 months.
- Interview: The final step is the green card interview. This is done at a local USCIS office, but the timing depends on how busy that office is. For example, in San Diego, interviews are scheduled after about 14.5 months, while in Houston, it can take up to 21.5 months. The time varies by location.
If the Beneficiary is Outside the U.S.
- National Visa Center: After the I-130 is approved, the petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC collects all the necessary documents and then sends the case to the U.S. embassy in the beneficiary’s home country.
- Embassy Interview: The interview takes place at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Just like in the U.S., the wait time for the interview depends on how busy the embassy is. Each country has different processing times, and unfortunately, these times are not posted online.
Why the Wait Times Vary
The wait times depend on many factors, like which U.S. office or embassy is handling your case and how busy they are. While U.S. processing times can be tracked more easily, it’s harder to know the timeline for embassies outside the U.S.
As always, if you would like assistance with your process, please schedule an appointment with me by calling (616) 877-9812 or by using the following link: https://marvinlawoffice.com/schedule-a-consultation/
