The legal mechanism under INA § 245 allowing eligible foreign
nationals physically inside the United States to obtain lawful
permanent residence (a Green Card) without traveling abroad
for consular processing.
Form: Form I-485 •
Timeline: 8 to 18 months on average
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The definitive process through which lawful permanent
residents become United States citizens, securing permanent
protection from deportation, full voting rights, and U.S.
passport privileges.
Form: Form N-400 •
Timeline: 5 to 12 months from the initial ...
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The complete affirmative process allowing U.S. citizens and
Lawful Permanent Residents to sponsor foreign relatives for
permanent immigration and lawful entry through a U.S. Embassy
or Consulate.
Form: Form I-130 & I-130A •
Timeline: Immediate Relatives (spouses, mi...
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The foundational legal petition filed with USCIS by a U.S.
citizen or permanent resident to establish a qualifying family
relationship for immigration benefits.
Form: Form I-130 •
Timeline: Immediate Relatives (spouses, un...
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The specialized nonimmigrant visa pathway allowing a foreign
fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for 90
days to marry and adjust to permanent resident status.
Form: Form I-129F •
Timeline: 12 to 18 months total
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A discretionary remedy under 8 C.F.R. § 205.1(a)(3)(i)(C)
allowing USCIS to reinstate an approved family-based immigrant
petition that was automatically revoked upon the
petitioner's death.
Form: Written Request for Humanitarian
Reinstatement • Timeline: 6 to 18 months
for USCIS Service...
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A provisional waiver under 8 C.F.R. § 212.7(e) allowing
immediate relatives to waive 3-year and 10-year unlawful
presence bars before departing for their consular interview.
Form: Form I-601A •
Timeline: 36 to 48 months currently due to...
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A discretionary waiver under Section 212(h) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act forgiving certain criminal grounds of
inadmissibility for green cards and removal defense.
Form: Form I-601 •
Timeline: 12 to 24 months when filed affir...
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A statutory waiver under INA § 212(e) relieving J-1 exchange
visitors of the mandatory two-year foreign residence
requirement before adjusting status or changing visas.
Form: Form DS-3035 •
Timeline: 4 to 12 months on average
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An employment-based second-preference (EB-2) immigrant pathway
allowing exceptional professionals to bypass the PERM labor
certification and job offer requirements.
Form: Form I-140 •
Timeline: 6 to 12 months for standard USCI...
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The mandatory legal petition under INA § 216 required for
conditional permanent residents to transition from a 2-year
temporary card to a permanent 10-year Green Card.
Form: Form I-751 •
Timeline: 18 to 36 months
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A formal administrative request submitted to USCIS, NVC, or a
U.S. Consulate seeking to fast-track adjudication of a pending
immigration application or petition.
Form: No Standalone Government Form •
Timeline: USCIS typically responds to an e...
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An affirmative self-petition under INA § 201(b)(2)(A)(i)
allowing the surviving foreign spouse of a deceased U.S.
citizen to petition for lawful permanent residence without an
Affidavit of Support.
Form: Form I-360 •
Timeline: 12 to 24 months for Form I-360 s...
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