❓ How Can an Employer Sponsor an Employee for a Green Card, and How Long Does It Take? 🤔

Many U.S. employers want to keep talented foreign workers permanently. Sponsoring an employee for a green card involves multiple steps and can take time. Here’s a breakdown:

✅ Step 1: PERM Labor Certification (up to 24 months)

🔹 Employer must prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the job.

🔹 Requires job advertising and recruitment under strict Department of Labor (DOL) rules.

🔹 Once certified, the employer can move to the next step.

✅ Step 2: I-140 Immigrant Petition (6-12 months, or 15 days with Premium Processing)

🔹 Employer files Form I-140 with USCIS to classify the worker as eligible for a green card.

🔹 Premium processing (15-day decision) is available for most categories.

✅ Step 3: Waiting for a Green Card Slot (Varies)

🔹 Some workers (like those in EB-3 and certain EB-2 categories) must wait for their priority date to become current based on Visa Bulletin availability.

🔹 Backlogs for certain countries (India, China, etc.) can cause long delays.

✅ Step 4: Green Card Application (I-485 or Consular Processing) (6-12 months)

🔹 If the priority date is current, the worker can file for adjustment of status (I-485) in the U.S. or go through consular processing abroad.

🔹 After approval, they receive their green card!

⏳ Total Timeline? Anywhere from 1-2 years for fast-moving cases (like Schedule A or non-backlogged countries) to several years if visa numbers are backlogged.

💡 Need help sponsoring an employee for a green card? We handle PERM, I-140s, and all green card processes! 📩 Contact us today!