Are you wondering how to get a green card faster than 90 days in California? While a true 90-day approval is extremely rare, certain immigration categories and strategies may help shorten the process. From employment-based petitions with premium processing to expedited family-based applications, timelines vary by case.
The most important part is understanding whether you are eligible, and that all of the steps are done correctly. This is why a lot of people who file applications for any immigration benefits will hire an immigration lawyer, so that it doesn’t get delayed, you know how the USCIS rules work, and you can explore all avenues for quicker adjudication based on your individual circumstances and path to legal status.
An experienced immigration attorney can also spot red flags early and position your case for the most efficient outcome possible.
Obtaining a Green Card: The Basics
To understand why obtaining a U.S. green card often takes months (even years, in some cases), it is useful to outline the typical steps in the process:
- Determine Eligibility: There are a few different pathways to obtaining a green card, such as family sponsorship, employment sponsorship, refugee or asylum status, or through fiscal investment. Before your initial application is ever filed, you will have to put some thought into which category most suits your circumstances.
- File Your Petition: The specific forms and processes for filing a green card petition will also depend on the category you qualify for. Once you’ve sorted that out, you will then need to actually prepare the documentation fully and accurately. Your petition must also include evidence of eligibility, relevant supporting documents, and, of course, be turned in along with the appropriate filing fees.
- Biometrics: After filing your petition, you will be scheduled for a biometrics appointment, where your fingerprints, photograph, and signature will be collected for use in exhaustive background checks. Then you must also wait for this background check to conclude, which can be a lengthy process in some cases.
- Attend Interviews and Appointments: USCIS may additionally require you to attend an interview so that an agent can assess your eligibility for a green card. Prepare thoroughly by reviewing your application and supporting documents, and be ready to answer questions about your background, relationships with U.S. citizens (if applicable), and the various factors behind your desire to reside in the United States.
- Receive the Decision: Once the process is complete, USCIS will notify you of the decision on your green card application. If approved, you will receive your green card, granting you lawful permanent resident status in the United States.
Remember, this process can be far more complex than these 5 simple steps indicate, and individual circumstances vary greatly. It is crucial to seek the guidance of an experienced immigration attorney who can evaluate your case, provide accurate advice, and advocate for the greatest possible outcome.
Accelerating the Green Card Process in California: Tips and Strategies
- Get Familiar With Special Programs and Priority Categories: Certain immigration categories may offer expedited processing if you meet the criteria. For example, individuals with extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, or business may qualify for a faster green card process. Researchers whose work benefits the people of the United States may also qualify for a special national interest waiver, meaning that an immigration case can move forward without a specific job offer. Understanding all the priority categories can help you identify potential avenues for expediting your case that you may not have considered.
- Take Advantage of Premium Processing: While premium processing is not available for all green card applications, it can expedite certain employment-based immigration petitions. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers a premium processing service that guarantees a 15-day processing time for eligible applications. This does not mean you will get your green card within a 15-day window, only that the initial application will be processed with guaranteed promptness. Consult with your immigration attorney to determine if your case is eligible for premium processing.
- Look Into the Removal of Conditions: If you currently have a conditional green card, such as a 2-year green card based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, you may apply for the removal of conditions within 90 days of the card’s expiration. If successful, this effectively turns your conditional green card into a full green card rather than letting it expire. By submitting a well-prepared application with supporting evidence, you can increase the chances of obtaining a full (10-year) green card on a relatively fast timeline when compared to cases that do not transition from a conditional green card.
- Consider Expedited Naturalization: If you are already a green card holder, and meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for a path to expedited naturalization. For example, people who have served in the military, spouses of U.S. citizens employed abroad, and individuals who have performed exceptional service to the United States in some way may qualify for an accelerated naturalization process. Your immigration attorney can help you determine if expedited naturalization is a viable option for you and, if so, build a strategy for making your case to immigration officials.
- Work With a Great Lawyer: The compassionate and highly trained professionals at U.S. Law Center have a knowledge of U.S. immigration law that is broad and deep. We can develop comprehensive legal strategies to meet even the most challenging immigration situations, using our skills and experience to steer you and your family toward the most optimal outcome on the fastest possible timeline.
FAQs
Q: Will USCIS Speed Up in 2025?
A: Although USCIS aims to reduce processing times, USCIS efficiency forecasts for 2025 remain uncertain. Policy changes and sustained high case numbers mean delays will persist through next year despite reduced backlogs. FY 2023 was the first year in over a decade that USCIS reduced the backlog (15% reduction). USCIS decreased its backlog by 11.2% throughout FY 2024.
An immigration attorney familiar with USCIS updates and rule modifications helps clients prevent setbacks and submit precise filings while navigating processing challenges.
Q: How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card in 2025?
A: The processing time for getting a green card in 2025 varies based on the type of application, eligibility category, and case complexity. Immediate relatives filing Form I-130 face a wait time of 10–13 months, while those filing Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) should prepare for waiting periods of 11–17 months.
Applications that involve employment or preference categories usually experience wait times longer than 30 months. Processing times also depend on USCIS workload, interview requirements, and additional evidence requests.
Q: How Do I Get a Green Card in Less Than 90 Days?
A: Expecting to receive a green card in less than 90 days is unrealistic. The process generally includes stages such as petition filing, biometrics, interviews, and background checks, all of which require time. Certain applications may receive faster processing for urgent humanitarian situations or particular employment categories, but no procedure ensures approval within 90 days.
Except for exceptional cases, including urgent humanitarian need or national interest, most applicants will face processing timelines ranging from several months to more than a year.
Q: What Factors Can Delay My Green Card Application in 2025?
A: Green card delays in 2025 often stem from incomplete forms, missing documentation, background check issues, or a Request for Evidence (RFE). For FY 2025, USCIS received a total of 479,953 H‑1B registrations, of which 135,137 registrations were selected for an overall selection rate of approximately 28 percent or a one-in-four chance of being selected per submission.
The beneficiary-focused selection rule requires that only one valid registration be submitted for each beneficiary.
Q: Can I Travel Outside the U.S. While My Green Card Application Is Pending?
A: You may travel outside of the United States while your green card application is pending only if you have first obtained advance parole. You must apply for and be granted advance parole by USCIS before leaving. If you depart without advance parole, your application will be deemed abandoned. An immigration attorney can assist you in requesting advance parole and advise you as to whether travel is recommended while an adjustment of status application is pending.
Contact U.S. Law Center for Guidance
If you are seeking to expedite your green card process, or have questions about your immigration journey in California or anywhere else in the United States, U.S. Law Center is here to help. Contact us today for a no-pressure consultation with a highly skilled Riverside Green Card Lawyer.
ES