EB-2 Green Card — Processing Time & Practical Timeline (2025)
EB-2 covers advanced-degree professionals or individuals with exceptional ability. Two practical routes: classic employer-sponsored path requiring PERM, and NIW (National Interest Waiver) which skips PERM if your endeavor has substantial merit and national importance and you’re well positioned to advance it.
Your calendar time is driven by four links: PERM (unless NIW) → I-140 → Visa Bulletin queue by country/category → I-485 (or consular processing).
Mini-Glossary & Quick Facts (Nov 2025)
Key terms
- Priority Date (PD): ETA-9089 filing date (PERM route) or I-140 filing date (NIW).
- FAD: Final Action Date — must be current for a visa number.
- DFF: Dates for Filing — may allow earlier I-485 filing if USCIS authorizes.
- RFE/NOID: Agency requests that can add weeks or months.
Quick facts
- PERM: typical 12–24 months end-to-end; audits extend.
- I-140 (regular): ~6–9 months.
- I-140 (premium): 15 days for most EB I-140s; 45 days for EB-2 NIW/EB-1C.
- I-485/consular: ~6–18+ months depending on office/embassy and checks.
Full EB-2 Timeline (2025): PERM → I-140 → Visa Bulletin → I-485
Conservative corridor most applicants see in 2025. The Visa Bulletin is the long pole.
PERM (if not NIW)
- Prevailing wage: ~2–4 months.
- Recruitment: ≥60 days (mandatory steps).
- ETA-9089 adjudication: ~6–8 months (longer if audited).
- End-to-end: 12–24 months.
I-140
- Regular: ~6–9 months.
- Premium: 15 days (most) / 45 days (NIW/EB-1C).
- PD: ETA-9089 filing date (PERM) or I-140 filing date (NIW).
I-485 / Consular
- Adjustment in U.S.: biometrics → (often) interview → decision.
- Consular abroad: NVC → embassy interview → visa issuance.
- Timeline: ~6–18+ months; ensure I-693 is current and sealed.
What most delays
- Visa Bulletin cut-offs (country queue).
- PERM audits or recruitment gaps.
- Inconsistent duties/titles across filings.
- Missing/expired medicals or civil docs.
- RFEs/NOIDs due to weak evidence.
Visa Bulletin — November 2025 (EB-2)
USCIS indicates using DFF for employment-based filings this month. Verify before filing.
| Chargeability | FAD | Indicative Queue |
|---|---|---|
| All Chargeability Areas | 01-Dec-2023 | ~1–2 years |
| China (mainland-born) | 01-Apr-2021 | ~4–5 years |
| India | 01-Apr-2013 | ~12+ years |
| Mexico | 01-Dec-2023 | ~1–2 years |
| Philippines | 01-Dec-2023 | ~1–2 years |
Use: If your PD is earlier than the FAD for your country, a visa number can be issued when the rest of the case is ready. DFF may allow earlier I-485 filing, but approval waits for FAD to be current.
I-140 Processing — Regular vs Premium
Premium removes petition wait but does not change Visa Bulletin queues. For EB-2 NIW and EB-1C, the premium clock is 45 days; for most other EB I-140s it’s 15 days.
Tip: upgrade when evidence is ready; premium shortens petition wait, not the Bulletin queue.
Putting It Together — Typical Calendar Ranges
| Path | Calendar time (typical) | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| EB-2 with PERM (non-NIW) | ROW/Mexico/Philippines: ~2–5 yrs; China: ~5–7 yrs; India: ~14–18 yrs | PERM 12–24 mo → I-140 0.5–9 mo → Visa Bulletin wait → I-485/CP 6–18+ mo |
| EB-2 NIW | ~1–5 yrs depending on country | No PERM. NIW I-140 (45-day premium or ~6–9 mo regular) → Visa wait → I-485/CP |
| EB-1 comparison | ROW often ~1–3 yrs; China ≈2 yrs; India ≈3 yrs | No PERM. I-140 (premium/regular) + often current/shorter Bulletin for ROW |
Wins you control: qualify for NIW if appropriate; use premium where allowed; file I-485 concurrently only when PD is current (or when USCIS authorizes DFF); submit a clean, RFE-resistant record with a valid, sealed I-693.
Strategy: Reduce Calendar Time Without Risk
Use Premium Where It Counts
- 15 days for most EB I-140s; 45 days for NIW/EB-1C.
- RFE pauses the clock; it resumes on response.
- Premium doesn’t change the Visa Bulletin.
Consider NIW to Skip PERM
- Strong for researchers, founders, policy-impact work.
- Show merit & national importance and your positioning.
- NIW removes the 12–24-month PERM block.
EB-1 “Porting”
- File EB-1 when qualified and retain EB-2 PD.
- For India/China, EB-1 may save years.
Concurrent Filing
- When PD is current or USCIS authorizes DFF, consider I-140 + I-485 together.
- Keep I-693 and civil docs clean to avoid last-mile delays.
FAQs — EB-2 / NIW Timelines (2025)
How long does EB-2 NIW take in 2025?
No PERM. NIW I-140 (45-day premium or ~6–9 months regular) → your country’s FAD → I-485/consular (~6–18+ months). ROW often lands ~1.5–3.5 years; China longer; India is the outlier due to 2013 FAD.
Processing vs calendar time?
Processing times measure how long a step took at a center; they exclude recruitment, PERM queues, NVC/consular lines, and Bulletin backlogs. Use them for milestones, not for your end date.
Is premium available for NIW?
Yes. NIW premium guarantees action within 45 days (vs 15 days for most EB I-140s). It accelerates the petition review only.
Does premium apply to PERM or I-485?
No. Only I-140 has premium (with the 45-day rule for NIW/EB-1C).
Can I pick a faster service center?
No direct choice. Transfers are workload-driven; focus on eligibility for premium and on clean, consistent evidence to avoid RFEs.
Primary Sources
Disclaimer
Educational content only — not legal, financial, tax, or immigration advice. Timelines are not guaranteed and may change with demand, staffing, RFEs, and retrogression. Always verify the current month’s DOS Bulletin and USCIS guidance and consult a qualified attorney before filing.
