What is a US green card, in plain words?

It is the permanent resident card (Form I-551): the right to live and work in the US with no visa term. It does not make you a citizen - citizenship can be requested later through the N-400. Residence can be lost by long absences: for a trip longer than a year USCIS advises getting a reentry permit on Form I-131 before leaving.

How does a Russian citizen get a US green card in 2026?

Four roads: a self-petition (EB-1A or EB-2 NIW), an employer petition (PERM and I-140), family (I-130) and the DV lottery. The petition goes to USCIS from any country, and the visa comes at an interview: in Warsaw for residents of Russia, or through the I-485 if you are already in the US. From Jan 21 to Aug 24, 2026 immigrant visas to Russians were paused; a court vacated the pause, the appeal is pending.

How much does getting a green card cost?

Government fees: I-140 - $715, then either the I-485 inside the US - $1,440, or the consular route - $345 to the State Department and the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee. Premium processing (I-907) - $2,965, optional. Lawyers, translations and the medical are extra.

How many years after the green card can I get US citizenship?

Under USCIS rules - after 5 years as a permanent resident, or 3 years if you are married to and living with a US citizen. The N-400 is filed from age 18. Absences from the US of 6 months or more may break the continuous residence this requires.

When does the card itself arrive after entering on an immigrant visa?

Only after the USCIS Immigrant Fee ($235) is paid; USCIS asks you to contact them if the card has not arrived within 90 days of payment or entry. Without payment the resident status stands, but you can prove it for only a year - with the I-551 stamp in the passport.

When is DV-2027 green card lottery registration?

As of Sep 30, 2026 the State Department has not announced the DV-2027 entry dates (embassy pages say the same). The December 2025 pause on DV visa issuance has not been in effect since Aug 28, 2026. If the lottery does not fit, the self-petitions remain - EB-1A and EB-2 NIW.

Can I get a green card without the lottery and without an employer?

Yes: EB-1A (extraordinary ability, 3 of 10 criteria) and EB-2 NIW (national interest, the three Dhanasar prongs) are self-petitions. In the community stories this is the main route of chat members; timelines and the share of cases without an RFE are in the numbers at the top of the page.

US green card

The US green card: what it is, every route and how to get it in 2026

Updated: October 1, 2026Author: Alina Kanametova

Key answer

A green card is US permanent-resident status. Four roads lead to it: a self-petition (EB-1A, EB-2 NIW - no employer), an employer petition (EB-1B, EB-2, EB-3), family (I-130) and the DV lottery. The petition is half the path: then either adjustment of status inside the US (I-485) or consular processing through the NVC and an interview abroad. Below: the routes table from the site's form-and-fee registry, numbers from community stories, questions and myths from the chats, the official USCIS pages.

EB-1A EB-2 NIW Consular route DV lottery

Based on: 129 approval stories told by their applicants · filed 2022-2026

75EB-1A / NIW stories

98 daysmedian to petition approval

41%without an RFE

38%filed from abroad

Routes to the green card: who files, timelines, fees

Routes to the US green card compared
Route	Who	Employer	Time to approval	Government fees	Page
EB-1A	extraordinary ability: 3 of 10 criteria	no, self-petition	median 68 days over 68 stories	I-140 $715 · I-485 $1,440	EB-1A requirements
EB-2 NIW	national interest: the three Dhanasar prongs	no, self-petition	median 173 days over 7 stories	I-140 $715 · I-485 $1,440	NIW criteria
Through an employer (EB-1B, EB-2, EB-3)	a job offer; for EB-2/EB-3 the employer runs PERM	yes, the company files	not in our stories	I-140 $715 · I-485 $1,440	EB-1A vs H-1B
Family (I-130)	spouse, parent or child of a US citizen / resident	no	not in our stories	I-485 $1,440	Family and dependents
DV lottery	by country of birth; the State Department lists countries yearly	no	one draw a year	registration is free	If you did not win

Fees come from the site's form registry (checked 2026-10-11); premium processing (I-907) at $2,965 is optional. Timelines are medians from filing to petition approval over community stories, not official statistics; the visa-bulletin queue is counted separately.

The green card for Russians in 2026: what is open

The petition - from any country. EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, an employer petition and a family I-130 are filed with USCIS wherever you live; nationality plays no part at this step.
The interview - in Warsaw. The Moscow embassy issues no visas; the State Department designated Warsaw for immigrant visas of residents of Russia, and for IR-5 (parents of US citizens) also Almaty and Tashkent. Living in another country - the interview is there. Inside the US the I-485 replaces the interview.
The 2026 pause. From Jan 21, 2026 the State Department issued no immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries, Russia included. On Aug 24, 2026 a court vacated the pause, and the government is appealing; the Moscow embassy page still showed the notice on Sep 30, 2026.
Consular-route fees. State Department: $345 for a visa on an employment petition, $325 on a family one; then the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee for the card itself.

More: US visas for Russian citizens, the US Embassy in Warsaw, the visa-pause lawsuits.

Separate guides: the immigrant visa pause for 75 countries and the court ruling, the O-1 visa for Russian and Belarusian citizens, CSPA: a child turns 21 before the green card.

The green card through work: PERM, EB-2, EB-3

The classic employer route has three steps. First, PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor: per the DOL page it confirms there are not enough able, willing and qualified US workers for the job and that hiring a foreign worker will not depress wages; the form is ETA-9089, preceded by the prevailing wage and recruitment. Then the employer files the I-140 with USCIS with the certification. Then, once the priority date is current in the bulletin, the I-485 inside the US or the consular stage. Per the USCIS pages, EB-2 is for professionals with a degree above a bachelor (or a bachelor plus 5 years of progressive experience in the specialty) or with exceptional ability; EB-3 is for professionals with a bachelor degree, skilled workers (the job requires at least 2 years of experience or training) and other workers.

Timelines per the chats: prevailing wage and PERM together - over 20 months; the EB-3 road to the interview - from 2.5-3 years to 5 years; these are individual members' reports, not statistics.
Who pays: per the chats the employer bears the PERM cost: one message puts it near $5,000 (lawyers and recruitment), another estimates the whole EB-2 / EB-3 road at $20-25k for the company over 3-4 years; the hard part is finding a company willing to commit.
The queue, October 2026 bulletin: EB-2 for Russia - Jan 1, 2025, EB-3 - May 15, 2024 (Final Action Dates). the visa bulletin
I-140, FY2025 (USCIS): EB-2 through an employer - 52,795 approvals, 2.1% denials among decisions; EB-3 - 51,763 approvals, 2.3% denials.

Without a sponsoring employer, the chats more often choose a self-petition: NIW or PERM, the EB-1 visa, and for multinational staff - L-1 and EB-1C.

After the petition is approved

The consular path by city

What the chats ask about the green card

2×how to fill out I-485?
2×Then I will apply for EB-1A right away + premium. After the approval of the I-140 petition, can I continue to work in the USA since I am already here on TPS, which lasts only until October 2026? How long will the consideration of the I-485 and I-765 take? Can I work legally in the USA while they are under consideration?
2×How long does the green card process take for NIW?
2×What is aos?
2×I have a question. I received my work authorization for EB 2 NIW, but I have not yet received my green card (my profession was stated as a financial analyst). Do I need to work in the profession that I specified in my case or can I temporarily work in another one as well?
2×I have AOS

Community answers

Where can I find the DS-260 information if I need the case number or invoice number?: This information is usually listed in the first notice from NVC. If you have already been able to submit the DS-260, the necessary case information was generally provided earlier.
Will the process be faster if I file from the United States?: The I-140 itself is processed on its own timeline and is not necessarily faster just because you are in the United States. The next stage depends on visa availability under the Visa Bulletin and whether you can file adjustment of status or need to go through consular processing.
How are O-1 and immigrant visas like EB-1A or EB-2 NIW different?: O-1 is a nonimmigrant work visa for people with extraordinary ability, usually with temporary status. EB-1A and EB-2 NIW are immigrant categories that lead to a green card, so their effects on other visas and intentions can differ.
If I had biometrics after filing adjustment of status, but there is no EAD and no further movement, is that normal?: Long pauses after biometrics are possible, and an EAD does not always arrive quickly. In practice, you should track the status and processing times and, if needed, submit an inquiry if the case falls outside normal timeframes.
If the priority date is current, should the immigrant visa be issued right away?: A current date means final processing is possible if all requirements are met, but it does not rule out delays due to administrative processing, lack of appointment slots, or internal consular procedures. In practice, it is important to monitor the Visa Bulletin, NVC/consular status, and document validity.
What is Adjustment of Status?: Adjustment of Status is the process of obtaining a green card inside the United States without leaving for a consular interview. This path is available only if the requirements related to status, the visa bulletin, and other factors are met.
What date is used as the priority date for EB-2 NIW and PERM?: For EB-2 NIW, the priority date is usually the I-140 filing date. For PERM-based cases, it is the PERM/labor certification filing date.
Can I upgrade I-140 to premium processing later if my date becomes current in the visa bulletin?: If premium processing is available for your category, you can usually file a request to expedite an already filed I-140. But this speeds up only the decision on the petition, not the availability of an immigrant visa or the interview date.

Where people go wrong - from the chats

mistakeA common mistake is assuming that once the I-140 is approved, the right to work or change status appears automatically. Work authorization is usually requested separately, for example together with I-485, if applicable.
mistakeWhen moving from one immigration process to another, for example from asylum/EAD to an employment-based green card, you cannot rely on general advice from a chat; current status, EAD category, timing, and a strategy with a specialized attorney matter.
mistakeRelying only on extending tourist status as a way to wait until you can file I-485 is considered a risky strategy. If adjustment of status cannot be filed from an unlawful position, it is better to consider alternative statuses in advance.
mistakeA common mistake is postponing correction of errors in a green card or immigration documents. Correction can take years and sometimes requires sending the original card, which creates practical and travel limitations.
mistakeA common mistake is assuming that while waiting for I-485, you can automatically work. Work usually requires valid work status or an approved work permit, unless the applicant has another authorization to work.
mistakeA common mistake is underestimating the medical requirements for I-485. Missing a required vaccine or having an improperly completed medical form can lead to denial or delay.

Real timelines named in the chats

Stage	Typically	Note
not specified, immigrant process through NVC: interview scheduling after DQ from NVC	5-6 months	Mentioned as the average wait for an interview appointment after receiving DQ from NVC; timelines may depend on the embassy.
EB-1A / EB-2 NIW: preparing for I-485 after I-140 approval	a couple of months	After I-140 approval, gathering documents for I-485 can take several months, especially if civil documents need to be obtained and translated.
EB-1A / EB-2 NIW: I-485 after I-140 approval	9-11 months	The discussion uses an expected wait of about 9-10 months after I-140 approval; it also mentions an actual I-485 wait of about 10 months against a field office estimate of about 11 months.
EB-1A / EB-2 NIW: I-485 with concurrent filing and change of status inside the United States	3-4 months	Participants mention reports of fast green cards in 3-4 months with concurrent filing, but this appears to be individual observations rather than a consistent rule.
EB-1: NVC / waiting for an embassy interview after petition approval	about 6-14 months	The expected wait for an interview after EB-1 approval was mentioned as several months, about half a year, about a year, and an estimate of up to roughly 14 months, taking NVC, the visa bulletin, and the embassy queue into account.
EB categories / I-485: waiting for an adjustment of status decision	about 1.5 years based on the average expectations discussed by participants	The messages referred to an average wait of about 1.5 years and to a displayed estimate of around 16 months.
O-1: I-129 premium processing - decision	about 45 days	The discussion mentions waiting for an O-1 response under premium processing within about 45 days; this refers specifically to the petition decision, not to later document issuance or a green card.
EB-2 NIW: obtaining an immigrant visa/green card	about 4 years	The messages gave an estimate of the full EB-2 NIW path at about 4 years, probably including the wait for visa availability.

Myths and reality

Misconception: An approved I-140 is often perceived as an almost finished green card or as the right to already be in the United States and work freely, especially if an EB-1A or EB-2 NIW case is approved.

In reality: An approved I-140 is only confirmation of the immigrant petition. By itself, it does not provide a green card, does not provide status in the United States, does not provide work authorization, and does not guarantee immediate approval of an I-485 or visa. Getting a green card requires the next step: adjustment of status through I-485 in the United States or consular processing through an embassy. If no visa number is available for the category, the I-485 may remain pending even after I-140 approval. You can work only if you have separate authorization, such as valid nonimmigrant status with work authorization, an approved EAD through I-765, or a green card already received.

Misconception: A common misconception is to view concurrent filing as an almost free option: filing I-140 together with I-485 is always beneficial, a pending I-485 gives full status, EAD/AP can be used safely, and if the I-140 is denied, the worst that happens is losing filing fees, with time to calmly change status or refile.

In reality: I-485 can be filed only when the category and priority date allow filing under the current Visa Bulletin and USCIS rules. A pending I-485 usually provides a period of authorized stay, but it is not an independent nonimmigrant status and does not always protect against the consequences of prior violations. If the I-140 is denied or the I-485 is rejected/denied, the related EAD/AP may end, filing fees are not refunded, and an applicant without valid independent status may be left with no lawful basis to stay and with a risk of enforcement consequences.

Myth: Dual intent means that the consular officer does not care at all that the applicant also wants to immigrate.

In reality: Dual intent allows some employment-based status applicants to have immigration plans, but it does not eliminate the need to meet the visa requirements and convince the officer that the applicant will comply with the terms of status if the green card is not obtained in time.

Myth: EB-2 is always faster and easier than EB-1 if you have strong education or experience.

In reality: EB-2 may be a more suitable category for some applicants, but timelines depend on country of birth, the visa bulletin, and number availability. For some countries, the EB-2 wait can be very long.

Myth: A lower cut-off in the Visa Bulletin means the annual DV quota was reduced.

In reality: The cut-off and the quota are different things. A lower cut-off reflects management of the queue and number allocation, not necessarily a reduction in the established annual quota.

Myth: Premium processing I-140 always shortens the total time to a green card.

In reality: Expediting I-140 can produce a faster decision on the petition, but it does not make the priority date current and does not speed up visa number availability. If the category is retrogressed, the applicant still has to wait for their date and, if in the United States, maintain lawful status.

Myth: If I-485 is filed, the person gets full immigration status in the U.S.

In reality: A pending I-485 usually gives a period of authorized stay and may allow the person not to maintain prior nonimmigrant status, but it does not by itself create a new full status. The consequences depend on the facts, any denial, the presence of EAD/AP, and any prior violations.

Myth: Filing I-140 changes status in the U.S. and allows you to stay in the country legally.

In reality: Filing or approval of I-140 by itself does not give immigration status, does not extend your authorized stay, and is not work authorization. To stay lawfully, you need to have valid nonimmigrant status or, if a visa number is available, file I-485 and obtain the related benefits of a pending adjustment.

Rules and tips from the chats

ruleTo apply for a green card through adjustment of status, it is important to be in lawful status and maintain it until the process is complete; one entry on a tourist visa is usually not enough for a long wait without additional action.
ruleFor O-1 filings from outside the United States, there is usually no NVC stage; it is important not to mix procedures from different immigrant and nonimmigrant categories.
ruleNVC is usually responsible for the visa part of the process and transferring the case to the consulate, but it does not decide every substantive issue in the immigration case after the petition is approved.
ruleSwitching from consular processing to AOS is theoretically possible based on an already approved petition, but it can involve delays and risks if the case has already moved through the consular process.
rulePetition approval is only the first step. After that, there is usually NVC processing, completion of immigration forms, finding an interview date, and the interview itself, where visa approval is still not guaranteed.
ruleIf the applicant is in the US in lawful status, they may consider filing a petition and changing or adjusting status, but it is important to separately check how filing I-140/I-485 affects the current nonimmigrant status.
ruleAfter the petition is approved and the case is transferred to NVC, the wait for an interview depends on the specific consulate and available dates; it is important to track which approval dates are being invited for interviews in the chosen city.
ruleAfter an immigrant petition is approved, it is important to distinguish between two paths: the consular process through DS-260 outside the US and adjustment of status through I-485 inside the US. The choice depends on your current location, status, visa availability, and personal risks.

Cases from the community

EB-1A · not specified · approved

After the immigrant petition was approved, the applicant received notice that a visa had become available under the Final Action Date in the Visa Bulletin.

What they did: He was waiting for movement on the case after approval and tracking the Visa Bulletin and case status.

EB-2 NIW -> EB-1A · not specified · outcome not stated

The applicant initially planned to pursue EB-2 NIW, but because of visa bulletin wait times, decided to switch to EB-1.

What they did: Changed the strategy from EB-2 NIW to EB-1, expecting a shorter overall process timeline.

not specified · not specified · approved

The applicant already had an approved immigrant petition and then moved to the green card stage.

What they did: Filed an application for the next stage of the immigration process after the petition was approved.

DV · technical or scientific field · outcome not stated

The family-based or principal applicant underwent consular processing at a European embassy; the administrative review was presumably related to an education or specialty field on a sensitive technical list.

What they did: After the interview, the applicant was asked for a resume and travel itinerary; the documents were sent, and the wait has now continued for several months.

The consular stage: rules from the chats

NVC primarily handles immigrant visas and is a required step before the consulate.
For EB categories, after a petition is approved, you generally cannot simply choose any consulate and appear for an interview without the case being transferred to and processed through NVC.
CEAC may show the status of a visa application, but it does not always provide a clear picture of the petition.
Different systems and numbers are used at different stages of the process; the absence of a visible petition status in CEAC does not, by itself, clarify case movement.
If academic or immigration documents changed during AP, they may need to be updated before visa issuance.
For example, in student cases, people discuss a new I-20 when studies are deferred; it is practical to confirm the timing of submission with the university and the consulate.
After an immigrant petition is approved, it is important to track transfer of the case to NVC and the consulate's readiness to accept the case.
In practice, people wait for a letter from NVC and a status change, but timelines vary; the consulate often will not schedule an interview until it physically or electronically receives the case from NVC.

Questions and answers on the site

Distilled from the public community chats, anonymised; corpus as of June 2026. These are participants' observations, not legal advice and not USCIS statistics.

Frequently asked questions

What is a US green card, in plain words?: It is the permanent resident card (Form I-551): the right to live and work in the US with no visa term. It does not make you a citizen - citizenship can be requested later through the N-400. Residence can be lost by long absences: for a trip longer than a year USCIS advises getting a reentry permit on Form I-131 before leaving.
How does a Russian citizen get a US green card in 2026?: Four roads: a self-petition (EB-1A or EB-2 NIW), an employer petition (PERM and I-140), family (I-130) and the DV lottery. The petition goes to USCIS from any country, and the visa comes at an interview: in Warsaw for residents of Russia, or through the I-485 if you are already in the US. From Jan 21 to Aug 24, 2026 immigrant visas to Russians were paused; a court vacated the pause, the appeal is pending.
How much does getting a green card cost?: Government fees: I-140 - $715, then either the I-485 inside the US - $1,440, or the consular route - $345 to the State Department and the $235 USCIS Immigrant Fee. Premium processing (I-907) - $2,965, optional. Lawyers, translations and the medical are extra.
How many years after the green card can I get US citizenship?: Under USCIS rules - after 5 years as a permanent resident, or 3 years if you are married to and living with a US citizen. The N-400 is filed from age 18. Absences from the US of 6 months or more may break the continuous residence this requires.
When does the card itself arrive after entering on an immigrant visa?: Only after the USCIS Immigrant Fee ($235) is paid; USCIS asks you to contact them if the card has not arrived within 90 days of payment or entry. Without payment the resident status stands, but you can prove it for only a year - with the I-551 stamp in the passport.
When is DV-2027 green card lottery registration?: As of Sep 30, 2026 the State Department has not announced the DV-2027 entry dates (embassy pages say the same). The December 2025 pause on DV visa issuance has not been in effect since Aug 28, 2026. If the lottery does not fit, the self-petitions remain - EB-1A and EB-2 NIW.
Can I get a green card without the lottery and without an employer?: Yes: EB-1A (extraordinary ability, 3 of 10 criteria) and EB-2 NIW (national interest, the three Dhanasar prongs) are self-petitions. In the community stories this is the main route of chat members; timelines and the share of cases without an RFE are in the numbers at the top of the page.

The cocoon pages: where next

Sources

Two routes to the green card after the petition

After the petition is approved there is one fork: adjustment of status inside the US on Form I-485, or consular processing abroad through NVC and the DS-260. Three things decide - where you physically are, what status you hold in the US if you are there, and whether a visa is available for your category and country of birth at the relevant moment.

For many people the third is decisive and entirely outside their control. It is the country-of-birth queue, not the quality of the petition, that most often determines the wait - and it is what gets left out when categories are compared on speed.

The I-485 route has its advantages: work and travel authorization can be requested alongside, without leaving the country. The downside is dependence on your current status and on the visa staying available while the case is pending. The consular route does not require being in the US, but the visa decision is made afresh by a different agency.

Switching routes mid-way is possible but not free: moving a case from one track to the other adds months. Better to decide once, deliberately. And remember the general rule of this stage: approval does not freeze your circumstances - a change of employer, marital status or country of residence affects the steps that follow.

The table and the numbers are reference material from the site's registries and anonymized community stories; not legal advice and no guarantee of an outcome. Categories, fees and queues change - verify on uscis.gov.

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