US Green Card Wait Time Estimator 2026
Estimate your green card wait time based on your employment-based category (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3) and country of birth. Uses final action dates from the November 2026 Visa Bulletin (U.S. Department of State).
Built for employment-based green card applicants and their employers trying to set realistic expectations, especially those born in India, China, Philippines, or Mexico where per-country caps create the longest backlogs — and for anyone deciding whether an alternative pathway (EB-1, NIW, or a different country entirely) makes more sense than waiting in the standard queue.
Queue length by country
⚠️ These are rough estimates based on current Visa Bulletin data and historical progression rates. Actual wait times vary significantly. Always consult a licensed US immigration attorney.
Why Are Wait Times So Long for Some Countries?
The US limits green cards per country to 7% of total annual employment-based visas. Countries with very high demand (India, China, Philippines, Mexico) exhaust this quota quickly, causing enormous backlogs — especially for Indian EB-2 and EB-3 applicants whose EB-2 final action date is still in 2013.
Final Action Dates: November 2026 Visa Bulletin
| Category | All other countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | 01 Aug 2023 | 01 Feb 2023 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | 01 Apr 2025 | 01 Oct 2021 | 01 Nov 2013 | 01 Apr 2025 | 01 Apr 2025 |
| EB-3 | 15 Jun 2024 | 22 Jan 2022 | 22 Jan 2014 | 15 Jun 2024 | 15 Aug 2023 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 Jun 2022 | 01 Oct 2019 | 22 Jan 2014 | 01 Jun 2022 | 01 Jan 2022 |
Only applicants whose priority date is earlier than the date shown can be approved this month. Note that EB-2 and EB-3 are not current for any country in FY2027. The bulletin changes monthly.
Faster Alternatives to Consider
- EB-1A / EB-1B — Extraordinary ability or outstanding researcher — EB-1 India is 01 Feb 2023 in Nov 2026, far shorter than EB-2
- EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) — no employer sponsorship needed, but it uses the same EB-2 queue, so it does not shorten the India or China wait
- Canada PR — Many Indian professionals get Canada PR in 6–12 months vs decades for US green card
- UK Skilled Worker — Work in the UK while waiting for US green card
How These Estimates Are Calculated
Wait time ranges are derived from historical priority date movement published in the monthly Visa Bulletin by the U.S. Department of State, combined with per-country annual visa number caps under the Immigration and Nationality Act. They are directional estimates, not guarantees — actual movement can accelerate or stall depending on annual visa availability and demand.
Worked example
An Indian-born applicant in EB-2 with a priority date of January 2024 checks the current Visa Bulletin and sees the EB-2 India final action date in the November 2026 bulletin is 01 November 2013. Only cases filed before that date can be approved. That puts more than 10 years of priority dates ahead of theirs. EB-2 India has typically advanced only a few months per year, so a 2024 filer should plan for a wait well beyond a decade unless annual visa numbers or the law change. An EB-2 applicant born in, say, Brazil faces a final action date of 01 April 2025, so a January 2024 priority date is already current.
Assumptions
- Your priority date and category match the row selected; estimates assume continued historical movement patterns, which are not guaranteed.
- "Current" means there is no backlog for that country in the November 2026 Visa Bulletin. Indicative waits for new filers are the size of the queue today (bulletin month minus final action date), plus extra time where dates have historically moved slowly. They are not forecasts.
Limitations
- The Visa Bulletin is published monthly and final action dates can move forward, freeze, or in rare cases retrogress — always check the current month's bulletin before making decisions.
- This tool does not account for individual case-specific factors like derivative beneficiaries, category switches, or pending legislation that could change per-country caps.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Page last reviewed 29 October 2026 against the November 2026 Visa Bulletin.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — US Green Card Wait Times
Is there a tool that predicts future Visa Bulletin movement?
Not a reliable one — and be skeptical of any site claiming to "predict" exact future dates. The Visa Bulletin is set monthly by the State Department based on real-time visa demand and annual per-country caps, and can move forward, freeze, or occasionally retrogress with little notice. The estimates on this page are directional, based on historical priority date movement, not a forecast of specific future dates. Always check the current month's official Visa Bulletin directly.
Why is the wait so much longer for Indian applicants?
US immigration law caps each country at roughly 7% of total employment-based green cards issued per year, regardless of population. Because India has extremely high demand relative to this fixed cap, the backlog has grown into decades, while countries with lower demand relative to the cap remain "current" with no wait.
Can I check the official current wait times myself?
Yes — the U.S. Department of State publishes an updated Visa Bulletin every month showing final action dates by category and country. This is the authoritative source and should always be checked directly for your specific situation.
Is EB-1 really faster than EB-2 or EB-3 for the same person?
Often yes, if you qualify — EB-1 (extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, or multinational executives) has a much higher per-country cap relative to demand, so it frequently stays "current" even for India and China while EB-2/EB-3 face decades-long backlogs. Qualifying for EB-1 has a higher bar, but it's worth checking against the standard EB-2/EB-3 route.
Sources
Many US-based Indian professionals are getting Canada PR in under a year. Calculate your CRS score now.
🇨🇦 Check Canada Eligibility 🇬🇧 Check UK EligibilityUS Green Card Wait Time Estimator results are estimates only and do not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — always verify the current rules on U.S. Visa Bulletin before submitting any application or paying any fees. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration professional (RCIC in Canada, IAA-registered (formerly OISC) adviser in the UK, MARA agent in Australia).
