It is critical to understand the process and timelines involved when applying for a green card in the United States. Depending on the type of employment-based green card application being submitted, processing times can vary. One of the employment-based categories is known as EB-2 , which covers people with advanced degrees, exceptional talents, or skills in a certain area. To obtain this type of green card, you will first need to file a PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) application with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The average PERM application processing time for an EB-2 green card is 6–9 months at minimum from filing it with the DOL until a decision is made on whether to approve or deny the labor certification. In some cases, there may be delays due to backlogs at specific regional centers or due to requests by USCIS Immigration Officers, such as audits or investigation requests. It can take longer depending on the volume of applications received by the Department of Labor. Once the PERM certification has been approved, you can file your I-140 visa petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which can take an additional 15 days if filed under premium processing, or over 8 months. If you are filing for an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) green card, then the PERM stage is not required and you can directly file Form I-140. Overall, given that both the DOL and USCIS processing times are involved, an EB-2 visa typically takes over 12 months from start to finish. It is important to note that timelines may vary depending on individual cases and circumstances. Therefore, if you plan on applying for this type of visa, it is best to consult with a qualified DC-based immigration lawyer who can provide more accurate timelines and advice. This will help ensure that your visa application is processed in the most efficient manner possible. If you have questions relating to immigration, we would be happy to review your case, guide you through the necessary legal procedures , and answer any questions you may have regarding your application.
When you apply for a work permit in the United States, the process typically includes submitting biometrics such as fingerprints. By providing your biometrics, the U.S. government can ensure that you can be securely identified when you enter and leave the country. Once this step is taken, how long it takes to get a work permit after biometrics depends on several factors, including your type of application and the processing times at USCIS. Generally speaking, if you have submitted all required documents and forms, you can expect to receive your work permit more than six weeks from the date you submit your biometrics. The actual wait time depends on how busy USCIS is and how quickly they process applications. First, the length of time required to receive your work permit will depend on whether or not you have already obtained legal status in the United States. If so, then your application will be processed more quickly than if you are applying from abroad with no existing permission to live and work in the U.S. Individuals who have previously obtained permission from USCIS may have their applications prioritized over those applying for the first time. Finally, longer wait times can occur due to backlogs at USCIS processing centers or if particular visas become oversubscribed by applicants during certain times of the year (especially around holidays when people may take vacations to visit family living overseas). In these cases, some applicants might experience delays lasting several months or even up to a year before receiving word about their applications for permits allowing them to remain in the U.S. past their initial visa expiration date! Overall, how long it takes an applicant to receive their work permit after submitting biometrics depends on multiple factors, including their current legal status within the U.S. as well as any immediate backlogs in processing centers or increased volumes of applications at certain times of the year. For up-to-date information regarding current wait times and estimated delays when applying for different types of visas or if you have questions relating to immigration, we would be happy to review your case, guide you through the necessary legal procedures , and address any inquiries you may have about your application.
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