Key Updates on Family-Based Green Cards
If you have a qualifying family relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for a family-based green card and obtain permanent residency in the United States. Both you and your sponsor must complete specific steps, which vary depending on your individual circumstances. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys provide clear guidance to help families successfully navigate the process.
- The annual cap for family-sponsored visas is 226,000.
- Family-based green cards fall into two groups: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and the family preference categories.
- Immediate relatives receive higher priority over other family-based applicants.
Family-based immigration continues to be one of the most popular and meaningful pathways for foreign nationals seeking lawful permanent residency in the United States. However, the demand for these visas far exceeds the annual limits, making the process lengthy and sometimes complex. To help you better understand the timeline, let’s examine family-based green card processing times, the factors that influence these waits, and the procedures involved.
Annual Cap on Family-Based Visas
For fiscal year 2025, the Department of State has set the annual limit for family-sponsored visas at 226,000. While this figure may appear high, the number of applicants is often significantly greater. As a result, some applicants obtain a green card within a year or two, while others—particularly in certain categories—must wait many years, sometimes decades. The wait is largely determined by which family-based preference category the applicant falls into.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys can help you understand your place in this process and guide you in preparing a strong application.
Family-Based Green Card Processing Times in 2025
Foreign Spouse Residing in the U.S.
When a U.S. citizen sponsors a foreign spouse who is already living in the United States on a valid nonimmigrant visa, the average time to receive a green card is about 9.2 months, according to USCIS data. While waiting, applicants can typically apply for a work permit and advance parole travel documents.
Foreign Spouse Residing Abroad
If the foreign spouse is living outside the U.S., the consular processing route applies. This process currently averages 20.8 months, including the I-130 petition and consular steps. Delays are often caused by backlogs and limited appointment availability at U.S. embassies and consulates.
Other Family Member Processing Times (U.S. Citizen Sponsors)
- Unmarried adult children (21+): About 9 years
- Married children (any age): About 14 years
- Siblings: Up to 18 years (with even longer waits for applicants from high-demand countries like India, Mexico, and the Philippines)
Family-Based Petitions for Permanent Residents
For green card holders sponsoring their spouse or children, processing times depend on the Visa Bulletin’s Final Action Date.
- As of April 2025, the average wait times are:
- 39 months for spouses and children
- 9 years for unmarried adult sons and daughters (21+)
Once the I-130 petition is approved, applicants must wait for their priority date to become current before filing for adjustment of status (inside the U.S.) or completing consular processing (outside the U.S.).
I-130 Petition Processing Times
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens enjoy a unique advantage—green cards are available right away. This allows for concurrent filing of Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), provided the beneficiary is already in the U.S. on a valid visa.
For immediate relatives living abroad, concurrent filing is not available. Applicants must wait until the I-130 petition is approved and the priority date becomes current before proceeding through the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing.
As of early 2025, USCIS data shows that I-130 petitions for immediate relatives take about 14.8 months to process.
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
Those who are not classified as immediate relatives must apply under the Family-Sponsored Preference Categories, each with its own annual limits:
- Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of U.S. citizens, plus their minor children. Cap: 23,400 visas.
- Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, children under 21, and unmarried adult children of permanent residents. Cap: 114,200 visas. Of these, 77% go to spouses and minor children (F2A), and the remainder to unmarried adult children (F2B).
- Family Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, plus their children under 21. Cap: 23,400 visas.
- Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (21+), along with their spouses and children under 21. Cap: 65,000 visas.
Immediate Relative Green Cards: The Fastest Route
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21) benefit from two major advantages:
- No annual limit on the number of visas issued.
- No waiting line—once the I-130 petition is approved, the green card becomes immediately available.
This makes the immediate relative category the fastest and most efficient route to U.S. permanent residency.
Family-Based Green Card Processing Timeline (2025 Data)
If the sponsor is a U.S. citizen:
- Spouses, Parents, Children (in U.S.): 9.2 months
- Spouses, Parents, Children (outside U.S.): 20.8 months
- Unmarried Adult Sons/Daughters (F1): 8 years
- Married Sons/Daughters (F3): 14 years
- Siblings (F4): 18 years
If the sponsor is a green card holder:
- Spouse or Children (F2A): 3 years
- Unmarried Adult Sons/Daughters (F2B): 9 years
(Data current as of April 2025)
Fastest Options for Siblings of U.S. Citizens
Since siblings fall under the lowest priority category, their wait times are the longest. However, alternative immigration routes—such as employment-based visas—may provide faster opportunities to reunite with family in the U.S. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys can review your options and recommend the most effective strategy.
Get Professional Guidance
The family-based green card process can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys provide trusted, step-by-step guidance to help families reunite in the United States as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Employment Sponsorship and Family-Based Green Card Processing Times (2025)
Employment Sponsorship
One potential alternative for your sibling to immigrate to the United States more quickly is through employment sponsorship. If your sibling is able to secure a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor them for a work visa, this can often be a faster pathway compared to the lengthy family-based process. To identify which employment-based visa category might be the best fit, it is strongly recommended that your sibling review their qualifications with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link.
Our immigration attorneys at Green Card Link can carefully evaluate their background and determine if they are eligible for an employment visa that could accelerate their entry into the United States.
In addition, some applicants may explore opportunities through the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program. While entry into the lottery is relatively straightforward, the selection odds remain very low due to the high number of applicants each year.
Exploring Other Family Categories
Siblings are not limited to the F4 category alone. If your parent is in the process of obtaining lawful permanent residence or U.S. citizenship, they may also be able to sponsor you under a different family preference category. This option can sometimes result in shorter wait times compared to the sibling (F4) category, which is known for extensive delays.
Green Card Waiting Times by Country
The waiting period for a green card varies widely depending on the applicant’s country of origin. Each U.S. embassy and consulate has its own processing timeline, which can be affected by political or social conditions.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries experienced significant delays due to embassy backlogs. Additionally, applicants from countries facing armed conflict often face extended processing times. The U.S. currently has no embassies or consulates in Venezuela, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, or North Korea, requiring applicants from these nations to travel to a neighboring country to attend their immigrant visa interview.
Can I Expedite the Process?
Expediting family-based green card processing is generally limited. Petitioners can help reduce delays by filing Form I-130 correctly and ensuring that all required documentation is submitted. This primarily impacts the initial I-130 petition timeline.
However, for certain applicants in the F2A category (spouses and minor children of permanent residents), there may be an opportunity to speed up the process if the petitioner naturalizes and becomes a U.S. citizen while the case is still pending. In such cases, the sponsor must notify the National Visa Center that they are now a U.S. citizen, which may allow the case to be reclassified and processed as an immediate relative petition.
Frequently Asked Questions (Family-Based Green Card Timelines)
How can I submit a service request if my case is delayed?
If you suspect your case is taking longer than normal, consult with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link. If your petition exceeds normal processing times—defined as longer than 93% of cases or 130% of the posted cycle time—USCIS provides an online link to submit an inquiry.
What factors affect processing times?
Several issues influence green card wait times, including:
- Volume of applications filed
- Case load and staffing at the USCIS service center
- Time required to respond to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
- Policy or operational changes affecting case handling
What is the I-130 processing time for siblings in 2025?
Siblings, including brothers and sisters, fall under the F4 preference category. In 2025, the wait time is approximately 17 years, as siblings are not considered “immediate relatives.” With an annual cap of 65,000 visas and hundreds of thousands of applicants, beneficiaries must wait until their priority date becomes current in the Visa Bulletin.
What is the I-130 processing time for parents in 2025?
Parents of U.S. citizens typically wait an average of 14.6 months for Form I-130 approval, according to USCIS data.
What is the green card waiting time for India?
Applicants from India should closely monitor the Visa Bulletin to determine their eligibility. The timeline depends on the family preference category (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, or F4). The “Dates for Filing” chart indicates when you can submit Form I-485, Adjustment of Status. If your category shows as “current” under the “Final Action Dates” chart, or if the cutoff date surpasses the filing date, you may proceed with the adjustment application for that month.
How long does it take for U.S. citizens petitioning parents in 2025?
The average processing time for immediate relatives ranges between 14 to 53 months. If your parents are already in the U.S., you may file Form I-485 concurrently with Form I-130.
How long does it take for U.S. citizens petitioning siblings in 2025?
The sibling green card process remains lengthy. After filing Form I-130, the applicant must wait for a visa number to become available before proceeding with Form I-485 (if inside the U.S.).
These wait times often extend for many years, making it critical to consult with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link to evaluate alternative options.
How Green Card Link Can Help
Delays in family-based green card processing are common, and even small mistakes in your petition can cause unnecessary setbacks—or even denials. Working with an experienced immigration attorney ensures that your petition is filed properly, deadlines are met, and opportunities for faster options are not overlooked.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys have extensive experience handling complex family-based green card cases. They can guide you step by step, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your application has the strongest chance of approval.
Take the first step toward reuniting with your loved ones—contact Green Card Link today to discuss your options.