How hard is it to sponsor a US green card?

Sponsoring a green card (permanent residency) for a foreign worker in the U.S. can be a complex and time-consuming process for employers. Here’s a clear overview of the difficulty, costs, and timeline involved:

1. Difficulty Level for a U.S. Employer to Sponsor a Green Card

• Moderate to High Complexity:

The process involves several legal and procedural steps, including labor certification, detailed paperwork, and compliance with immigration laws. Employers often need to work with immigration attorneys.

• Labor Market Test:

Most green card categories require the employer to prove that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the job (PERM Labor Certification), which can be challenging and time-consuming.

• Job Category Matters:

Some categories (e.g., EB-1 for extraordinary ability or multinational managers) are faster and simpler, while others (like EB-2 or EB-3) are more involved.

2. Costs Involved

• Government Filing Fees:

o PERM Labor Certification: No direct fee, but attorney fees apply.

o I-140 Petition (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker): Approx. $700 (USCIS fee)

o I-485 Adjustment of Status (if filed in the U.S.): $1,140 plus $85 biometrics fee

o Other forms and fees may apply depending on the case.

• Attorney Fees:

o Typically range from $3,000 to $7,000 or more, depending on complexity and firm.

• Additional Costs:

o Advertising costs for labor market test (for PERM) — varies but can be several hundred to over a thousand dollars.

o Medical exams and translations (for the employee).

• Employer usually pays for most of these, especially advertising and filing fees.

3. Timeline

• PERM Labor Certification:

o Typically takes 6 to 9 months (can be longer if audited).

• I-140 Petition:

o Standard processing: about 6 months

o Premium processing available (15 calendar days) for an additional fee (~$2,500).

• I-485 Adjustment of Status (if in the U.S.):

o Processing time varies from 8 to 14 months (sometimes longer).

• Consular Processing (if outside the U.S.):

o After I-140 approval, the worker attends an interview at a U.S. consulate, which may take additional months depending on the embassy.

• Total time:

o Often 1.5 to 3+ years, depending on visa category, country of origin, and USCIS backlogs.

Summary:

Step                                                                  Duration                                                           Approximate Cost

PERM Labor Certification                                6–9 months                                                       $0 filing + $500–$1,000+                                                                                                                                                       advertising + $3,000–7,000 attorney fees

I-140 Petition                                                    6 months (std)                                                   $700 USCIS + attorney fees

I-485 Adjustment of Status                               8–14 months                                                     $1,140 + $85 biometrics + fees

Premium Processing Option                            15 days (I-140)                                                  Additional $2,500