A U.S. Green Card, also called a Permanent Resident Card, lets foreign nationals live and work legally in the United States. Millions of people around the world aspire to obtain one, whether for better job opportunities, to be with their families, or to invest in the U.S. economy. However, getting a Green Card can take a long time, sometimes years or even decades.

The time it takes depends on how you apply. Some ways are faster because they have fewer rules or special considerations that help people skip common delays. That is why knowing the fastest way to get a Green Card is important if you want to move to the U.S. quickly.

In this article, we’ll break down the different ways to get a Green Card and identify which of them is the fastest.

Most Popular Ways to Get a Green Card

Each method of getting a Green Card approval has its own requirements and processing times. Here is an overview of the major ways of securing a U.S. permanent residency and how to qualify for each.

Apply for a Family-Based Visa

This pathway allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor close family members to live in the United States. Below are the major types:

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens: This category allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their spouses, parents, and unmarried children under the age of 21. Depending on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and consular processing delays, it takes at least 12 – 18 months to obtain this visa.

Family preference categories: Other family members of U.S. citizens can apply under family preference categories. However, waiting times vary between 2 to 15 years, depending on the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant.

Fiancé or Fiancée Visa: A U.S. citizen’s fiancé or fiancée can apply for a K-1 visa, which allows them to enter the U.S. and get married within 90 days. After marriage, they can apply for a Green Card through adjustment of status. The process usually takes one to two years.

The major downsides of the family-based visa option include:

• Eligibility is limited to individuals who have an immediate family member who is either a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder.
• Engaging in a marriage solely to obtain a Green Card can result in severe criminal penalties if USCIS determines that the marriage was fraudulent.
• Applicants from certain countries may experience significant delays due to extensive visa backlogs, often waiting for many years before a visa becomes available.

Apply for Employment-Based Green Cards

Employment-based Green Cards offer opportunities to individuals with professional qualifications. The three most common categories are:

EB-1 for Priority Workers

This category is designed for individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding academic or professional achievements, and managerial experience. EB-1 visas are highly desirable because they typically do not require labor certification. The challenge with applying for an EB-1 visa is the difficulty that comes with proving that you have an “extraordinary ability.”

EB-2 for Advanced Degree Holders

Individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional skills can apply for an EB-2 visa. But you must have a job offer from a U.S. employer. You must also go through the PERM labor certification process, which proves that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position.

National Interest Waiver (NIW)

This allows certain applicants to skip the employer sponsorship and labor certification process. To qualify for an NIW, applicants must demonstrate that their work substantially benefits the U.S. economy, culture, education, or public health. NIW cases tend to process faster than regular EB-2 visas since they bypass labor certification. However, some applicants may face significant waiting times due to per-country visa limits.

EB-3 for Skilled Workers

Workers who do not meet the strict qualifications of EB-1 or EB-2 but still possess valuable skills and experience can apply for EB-3 visas. All EB-3 applicants need a job offer and must complete the PERM labor certification process. The total EB-3 process often exceeds two years due to visa backlogs.

This category has three subgroups:

• Skilled workers with at least two years of work experience or training in a specific occupation. The position must not be temporary or seasonal.
• Professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.
• Workers like laborers and service workers with less than two years of training or experience.

Win the Green Card Lottery

The U.S. Department of State runs the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery or the Green Card Lottery every year. This program gives up to 55,000 Green Cards to people from countries with historically low immigration to the U.S. Unlike other Green Card pathways, the DV Lottery is based entirely on luck because winners are chosen randomly.

Apply for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is one of the fastest and most direct ways to get a U.S. Green Card. It was created to attract foreign investment and boost the U.S. economy, and in return for making a significant investment and creating jobs, foreign investors and their families can gain permanent residency.

Below is an overview of the EB-5 program requirements:

• Minimum investment amount: The required investment amount is $1.05 million for businesses outside of targeted employment areas (TEAs). A reduced amount of $800,000 is the standard for businesses in TEAs, which include rural and high-unemployment areas. Your investment must remain at risk for at least two years.
• Job creation: To qualify for an EB-5 visa, your investment must result in the creation or preservation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
• Investment in eligible EB-5 businesses: You can put your funds into a new commercial enterprise (NCE), which is a business started after Nov. 29, 1990. Regional Center projects are the most popular EB-5 investment options.

Steps to Apply for an EB-5 Visa

The EB-5 program is a great option for individuals who eventually want to be U.S. citizens without needing a family member or employer to sponsor them. However, it is done through a thorough procedure that includes the following:

• File Form I-526E: You must submit Form I-526E to USCIS, providing proof of investment, evidence that your capital was legally obtained, and a detailed business plan showing how at least 10 jobs will be created.
• Apply for a Green Card: If Form I-526E is approved, you can apply for a Green Card. If you are already in the U.S., you must file Form I-485 to adjust your status. For investors outside the U.S., they must complete consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate. Once approved, you and your family receive a conditional Green Card valid for two years.
• File Form I-829: Within 90 days before the two-year conditional Green Card expires, you must file Form I-829 to remove conditions and receive a permanent Green Card. You will have to prove that your investment was maintained, 10 jobs were created or preserved, and that the business remains operational. When Form I-829 is approved, you and your family receive your full, permanent and unconditional Green Card.
• Apply for U.S. citizenship: After holding a Green Card for five years, you become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

Why Investing in an EB-5 Regional Center Project in a TEA is the Fastest Pathway to a Green Card

For many Green Card applicants, the EB-5 program can be the most viable, direct and streamlined option to U.S. permanent residency. Especially for applicants born in high-demand countries, like Indian and Chinese nationals, investing in a rural TEA project through a trusted EB-5 regional center is the fastest employment-based route to a Green Card.

Thanks to concurrent filing, eligible applicants who already reside in the U.S. can submit their EB-5 petition and adjustment of status at the same time—often getting work and travel permits in just a few months, and the Green Card itself in under 10 months. Rural TEA projects are especially strategic because they qualify for priority processing, meaning USCIS reviews these cases much faster than standard EB-5 applications.

Get Your Green Card Faster With EB5AN

When seeking the fastest way to obtain a Green Card, working with an experienced regional center can make or break your timeline. These firms understand the intricate filing requirements, manage the EB-5 process from start to finish, and ensure your investment meets all USCIS standards. Any mistake in your application—especially with source of funds documentation or project compliance—can cause serious delays. So, a rural TEA investment through a reputable regional center is one of the smartest moves you can make.

EB5AN is a trusted EB-5 firm with a proven track record of helping over 2,300 families from 70+ countries achieve U.S. residency. Book a free call with us today to learn more about how we can guide you through the EB-5 program from application to approval.