Visa Process Guide
US Visa Timeline
Understand the step-by-step process and typical timelines for different U.S. visa categories. Click any visa type to see detailed steps.
Family-Based
(10)Spouse, parent, child, and sibling visas
CR-1 Spouse Visa (Consular)
U.S. citizen petitioning for spouse (<2 years married) - Conditional Green Card
~1 year 2 mo
CR-1 Spouse (Adjustment of Status)
AOS for spouse of U.S. citizen (<2 years married)
~12 months
F-2A Green Card (Consular)
LPR petitioning for spouse or unmarried child under 21
~2 years
F-2B Green Card (Consular)
LPR petitioning for unmarried child 21+
~7 years
IR-1 Spouse Visa (Consular)
U.S. citizen petitioning for spouse (2+ years married) - National Average
~1 year 2 mo
IR-1 Spouse Visa - Texas SC
Texas Service Center processing times
~1 year 1 mo
IR-1 Spouse Visa - Nebraska SC
Nebraska Service Center processing times
~1 year 4 mo
IR-1 Spouse Visa - Potomac SC
Potomac Service Center processing times
~1 year 3 mo
IR-1 Spouse (Adjustment of Status)
AOS for spouse of U.S. citizen already in the U.S.
~12 months
K-1 Fiancé Visa
U.S. citizen petitioning for fiancé(e)
~1 year 6 mo
Employment-Based
(6)Work visas and green cards through employment
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (AOS)
Self-petition for extraordinary ability
~1 year
EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver)
Self-petition for national interest waiver
~1 year 6 mo
EB-2 with PERM Labor Certification
Employer-sponsored with PERM
~2 years
EB-3 Skilled Worker
Employer-sponsored skilled worker
~2 years 6 mo
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Employer-sponsored H-1B visa
~9 months
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
Temporary work visa for extraordinary ability
~4 months
Student & Exchange
(1)F-1 and J-1 visas for study and exchange programs
F-1 Student Visa
Student visa for academic studies
~3 months
Other
(2)Naturalization, asylum, and other categories
Asylum Application
Application for asylum protection
~3 years
N-400 Naturalization
Application for U.S. citizenship
~1 year
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