One of the most common concerns clients share with us is how long it takes to get a green card. For individuals and families hoping to build a life in the United States, delays can be stressful and sometimes costly. The good news is that while the U.S. immigration system can be complex, there are several paths that tend to move faster than others.
At Big Chad Law, we work with immigrants from all backgrounds and professions. Some are joining family, others are advancing careers, and many are looking to invest or contribute to the U.S. economy. In each case, timing matters. With the right legal strategy and a properly prepared petition, it’s possible to avoid unnecessary delays and get permanent residency sooner than most people expect.
Whether you’re just beginning your immigration journey or looking to speed things up, here’s what you should know about the fastest ways to get a green card.
Read more: What are the Documents Needed to Apply for a Green Card Through Marriage
To help make this easier to digest, we’ve outlined the most common paths and how they typically compare in terms of processing speed.
| Green Card Option | Typical Applicant | Average Timeline | Why It’s Faster |
| Immediate Relative Petition | Spouse, child (under 21), or parent of U.S. citizen | 10–12 months | No annual caps or visa waitlist |
| Green Card Through Marriage | Spouse of U.S. citizen, in or outside the U.S. | 9–14 months | Concurrent filing allowed inside U.S. |
| EB-1 Employment-Based Visa | Highly accomplished professionals, executives | 12–24 months | Skips labor certification; premium processing possible |
| EB-5 Investor Visa | Investors meeting capital and job requirements | 12–18 months | Priority handling for job creation investment |
| Refugee or Asylee Adjustment | Individuals already granted protected status | 12 months after status | Eligible after one year of approved status |
| Diversity Visa (Lottery) | Selected nationals of eligible countries | Around 12 months | Streamlined if selected; no employer or sponsor needed |
U.S. citizens can petition for certain close relatives without being subject to annual visa limits. This applies to spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents. Because there’s no quota, these petitions tend to move faster than most others. In well-prepared cases, processing can take less than a year.
What makes these cases work smoothly is organization. We ensure that supporting documentation such as proof of relationship, tax returns, and lawful status is filed accurately and in full. That alone can save months.
Marriage-based green cards also fall into this category but come with unique steps. If the couple is already living in the U.S., the foreign spouse can apply for a green card while the petition is being processed. This is called concurrent filing and it reduces wait times significantly.
However, marriage petitions undergo detailed scrutiny to confirm that the relationship is legitimate. A well-prepared application backed by clear evidence like joint financial records, leases, and photos can keep things on track and avoid interview delays.
Among employment-based options, the EB-1 visa stands out for its efficiency. It’s available to individuals who are recognized for exceptional ability in areas like science, business, education, athletics, or the arts. This includes executives at multinational companies and researchers with advanced credentials.
Unlike many other work-related visas, the EB-1 category does not require a labor certification. That alone can shorten the process by several months. Premium processing is also available for some EB-1 cases, meaning a decision on the initial petition can arrive within just a couple of weeks.
We’ve helped scientists, entrepreneurs, and creatives present compelling EB-1 cases. The key is a strong record awards, leadership roles, published work and a legal team that knows how to present it effectively.
If you’re in a position to invest significant capital into a U.S.-based commercial enterprise, the EB-5 program offers a faster-than-average path to permanent residency. The minimum investment required is $800,000 if made in a targeted employment area or $1,050,000 elsewhere.
In addition to investing, the applicant must show that the funds will lead to the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs. Once this is in place, the petition can be filed and processed in a relatively short timeframe.
Because this route involves large financial commitments and close tracking by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), documentation must be exact. Our team supports EB-5 clients by reviewing source of funds, business plans, and all required forms for compliance.
Refugees and individuals who’ve been granted asylum status are eligible to apply for a green card after one year of living in the U.S. under protected status. This is one of the more predictable timelines in immigration law assuming the applicant meets the one-year requirement and maintains eligibility.
We work closely with asylees and refugees to gather all the necessary proof and submit a complete application that allows for smooth processing without gaps or delays.
Every year, the U.S. runs a lottery that provides green cards to applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. The Diversity Visa program is free to enter and doesn’t require an employer, family sponsor, or investment.
If selected, winners undergo consular processing and background checks. Although selection is rare, it’s worth applying annually if you’re eligible. We’ve helped lottery winners navigate the next steps quickly and confidently.
Choosing the right green card category is only part of the equation. Submitting a clean, well-documented application is what truly keeps your case moving. At Big Chad Law, we take the time to understand your goals, evaluate your eligibility, and build a complete case file that meets every legal requirement the first time around.
We’ve seen what happens when clients try to go it alone and run into preventable delays. A missing tax return, an expired affidavit, or poorly labeled evidence can stop your application cold. Our goal is to avoid those setbacks entirely.
There’s no shortcut to lawful permanent residency but there is a smarter way to get there. Whether you’re pursuing a green card through marriage, work, investment, or humanitarian protection, the path can be faster with the right legal plan in place.
Big Chad Law is here to guide you every step of the way. If you’re exploring your green card options and speed is a priority, let’s schedule a consultation and create a roadmap tailored to your situation.
Need help preparing your petition or evaluating the best option? Contact Big Chad Law and speak directly with an immigration attorney who can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouse, unmarried child <21, parent). Their visas are immediately available, so you can often file the I-130 and I-485 together (concurrent filing) if you’re eligible to adjust in the U.S.
Key takeaway: If you qualify as an immediate relative, you usually skip the visa-wait line via concurrent filing.
No. Premium Processing speeds certain petitions (e.g., I-140)—typically to a 15-day action window—but it does not apply to I-485 and doesn’t bypass security checks or visa-number queues. File I-485 only when a visa is available per the Visa Bulletin.
Key takeaway: Use Premium Processing to accelerate the petition decision, not the green card itself.
EB-1 is generally the fastest because no PERM labor certification is required and the I-140 can use Premium Processing—but final speed depends on visa availability (Visa Bulletin). Note: EB-1 hit its FY2025 annual limit in September; issuance resumes Oct 1, 2025.
Key takeaway: EB-1 + Premium Processing can compress the petition stage, yet Visa Bulletin gates still control finish lines.
Not automatically. EB-5 requires investing $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in a TEA/infrastructure project) and creating 10 full-time jobs; timing still hinges on adjudication and visa availability.
Key takeaway: EB-5 can be quick only if your case/country is current—capital + due diligence matter as much as speed.
It can be—DV runs on a tight fiscal-year clock: selection → DS-260 → documents → interview; visas are usually valid up to ~6 months from issuance. Entry is free and only via state.gov during the window.
Key takeaway: For selectees who act fast and qualify, DV can be one of the quicker consular paths in that year.