How Long Does the Green Card Process Take?

You’ve been waiting. And waiting.

Every month, you check the Visa Bulletin. Every day, you wonder if today’s the day you’ll hear back from USCIS.

But how long does the green card process take in South Carolina? And what’s slowing things down?

The timeline depends on your category, your country of birth, and where USCIS processes your case.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card?

Family-based green cards and employment-based green cards follow completely different timelines.

Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (Fastest Track)

If you’re the spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen, you’re considered an “immediate relative.” This is the fastest green card category because visas are always available.

Current timeline for immediate relatives:

• Form I-130 processing: 10 to 15 months
• Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): 8 to 18 months
• Total time: 12 to 27 months

Many immediate relatives can file Form I-130 and Form I-485 together (concurrent filing), which speeds up the process.

If you’re already in the United States legally and qualify for concurrent filing, you could receive your green card in less than a year.

Family Preference Categories (Longer Waits)

If you don’t qualify as an immediate relative, you fall into a family preference category. These categories have annual limits, which creates waiting periods.

F2A (Spouses and children of green card holders):

• I-130 processing: Up to 35 months
• Visa Bulletin wait: Additional months or years
• Total time: 2 to 4+ years

F1, F3, F4 (Other family relationships):

• Total time: 5 to 20+ years depending on category and country

Family preference categories must wait for their “priority date” to become current according to the monthly Visa Bulletin. Your priority date is established when your I-130 petition is filed.

How Long Does the Green Card Process Take for Employment-Based Cases?

Employment-based green cards vary dramatically depending on your category and country of birth.

EB-1 (Priority Workers)

EB-1 includes extraordinary ability individuals, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives.

Current timeline:

• Form I-140 processing: 6 to 12 months (or 15 days with premium processing)
• Form I-485 processing: 8 to 18 months
• Total time for Rest of World: 12 to 24 months
• Total time for India/China: 3 to 4+ years due to visa backlogs

EB-2 and EB-3 (Most Common Employment Categories)

Most employment-based green cards fall into EB-2 (advanced degree or exceptional ability) or EB-3 (skilled workers). These categories require PERM labor certification.

PERM labor certification timeline:

• Prevailing wage determination: 6 to 8 months
• PERM recruitment and filing: 3 to 6 months
• DOL adjudication: 6 to 16 months
• Total PERM time: 16 to 24 months

After PERM approval:

• Form I-140 processing: 6 to 12 months (or 15 days with premium processing)
• Visa Bulletin wait: Varies dramatically by country
• Form I-485 processing: 8 to 18 months

Total timeline by country:

• Rest of World: 2 to 4 years
• China: 4 to 6 years
• India: 10 to 15+ years

The massive backlog for India-born applicants is due to per-country limits. Each country is capped at 7% of total annual green cards.

What Slows Down the Green Card Process?

Several factors add months or years to your timeline:

Incomplete applications

The biggest cause of delays is filing incomplete applications. When USCIS finds missing documents, they issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). This adds 2 to 4 months to your timeline.

Country-specific backlogs

If you were born in India, China, Mexico, or the Philippines, you face longer wait times due to per-country visa limits.

Service center workload

As of 2026, USCIS faces a record backlog of over 11 million pending cases. Processing times vary by location.

Background checks and medical exams

All green card applicants undergo FBI background checks. Medical examination delays or issues with results create additional wait time.

Does the Green Card Process Take Longer in South Carolina?

South Carolina residents don’t face unique delays compared to other states, but your local USCIS field office affects your timeline.

South Carolina cases are processed by:

• Charlotte Field Office (serves North and South Carolina)
• National Benefits Center (initial processing)
• Various service centers, depending onthe  petition type

The Charlotte Field Office schedules interviews for adjustment of status applications (Form I-485). Interview wait times at this office typically range from 6 to 12 months after filing.

Can You Speed Up the Green Card Process?

While you can’t control visa availability or USCIS backlogs, you can avoid delays:

File complete applications

Submit all required documents the first time. Incomplete applications are the leading cause of RFEs and delays.

Use premium processing when available

Premium processing is available for certain I-140 petitions and guarantees a 15-day response for $2,805. This speeds up one stage but doesn’t eliminate the Visa Bulletin wait.

File concurrently when eligible

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can file Form I-130 and Form I-485 together, eliminating the wait for I-130 approval.

Apply for work authorization early

File Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document) with your I-485 application. This allows you to work legally while waiting, with approval typically in 3 to 5 months.

Respond quickly to USCIS requests

If USCIS issues an RFE, respond quickly with thorough documentation. Delayed responses add months to your case.

Keep your address updated

USCIS sends important notices by mail. Update your address within 10 days of moving using Form AR-11.

What to Expect During the Process

Understanding the major milestones helps you track progress:

• Receipt notice: 2 to 3 weeks after filing
• Biometrics appointment: 4 to 8 weeks after filing Form I-485
• Request for Evidence (if needed): 87 days to respond
• Interview notice: 4 to 6 weeks before your interview date
• Decision: Green card arrives 2 to 4 weeks after approval

Special Considerations on Marriage-Based Green Cards

USCIS scrutinizes marriage-based applications heavily to prevent fraud. You’ll need strong evidence that your marriage is genuine:

• Joint bank account statements
• Lease or mortgage agreements showing that you live together
• Photos together over time
• Insurance policies listing each other as beneficiaries
• Letters from friends and family

If you’ve been married less than two years when your green card is approved, you’ll receive a conditional green card valid for two years. You must file Form I-751 to remove the conditions.

When to Get Legal Help with Your Green Card Application

Consider working with an immigration attorney if:

• You have issues in your background (prior immigration violations, criminal history, visa denials)
• You’re applying through a family preference category with long wait times
• Your employer is sponsoring you through PERM
• You received an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny
• Your case has been pending far longer than normal processing times

An experienced immigration lawyer can help you avoid common mistakes, respond to USCIS requests effectively, and navigate complex situations.

Green Card Delays in South Carolina? Talk to a Lawyer

The green card process timeline in South Carolina ranges from 12 months for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to 10+ years for certain employment-based categories from high-demand countries. Your specific timeline depends on your immigration category, country of birth, and how complete your application is.

At Okoye Law, we help clients throughout Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and York County with immigration matters, including green card applications.

Whether you’re just starting the green card process or you’ve been waiting for months with no update, contact Okoye Law today to schedule a consultation.