After approval, how long until I receive the green card?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. Once the I-140 petition for EB-2 NIW is approved, the time to receive a green card depends on the path you take and on factors that change over time.

If you are already in the United States in a compatible status, you may apply for adjustment of status. If you are outside the country, your case proceeds through consular processing, subject to the consulate’s schedule and interview availability. In both cases, caseload volume, location, and USCIS priorities all affect how long the process takes.

• Inside the U.S.: adjustment of status application.
• Outside the U.S.: consular processing through the embassy or consulate.
• Backlog, location, and administrative policies all affect the timeline.

Because processing times vary and are updated frequently, the safest approach is to check current processing times on the USCIS website and be cautious of any promise of a guaranteed timeline or outcome.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.