First, Day 1 Green Card Processing IT Staffing Firm
At Rapidhire, begin Green Card processing for all eligible employees on the day 1.
Here are the current typical times for each step, from DOL and USCIS data as of early October 2026. Treat them as averages, since individual cases vary.
Prevailing wage determination: about 3 to 4 months. One law firm’s August 2026 guide puts this stage at roughly three months. DOL’s October update shows it working on requests filed in June 2026, so the lag is roughly 3 to 4 months.
- Recruitment: about 2 to 3 months. Recruitment takes two to three more months. The ads and notices run in a set sequence with mandatory waiting periods, so it can’t be rushed much.
- PERM filing, DOL review: about 11 to 12 months. As of October 5, 2026, DOL was reviewing applications filed in December 2025, and analyst review for cases completed in August 2026 averaged 336 days. If your case is selected for an audit, expect additional months on top. One firm cites an August average of 372 days. There is no premium or expedited processing for PERM.
- I-140 petition: about 4 months regular, or 15 business days with premium processing. USCIS decided half of regular I-140s in 3.7 months in fiscal year 2026. Premium processing gives a decision in 15 business days for PERM-based EB-2 and EB-3, or 45 business days for EB-1C and EB-2 NIW. The premium fee is $2,965.
- Waiting for a visa number (Visa Bulletin): zero to decades. This depends entirely on the category and country of birth. For many applicants it’s short, but for people born in India or China it can be years to decades. Check the current Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov.
- I-485 (adjustment of status): about 6 months. Employment-based I-485 cases had a 5.8-month median in fiscal year 2026. Premium processing is not available for the I-485. Consular processing abroad takes extra time. One firm also notes that a May 2026 USCIS policy memo treats adjustment of status as discretionary where consular processing is available, so ask your attorney how that affects your case.
Rough total, if no backlog applies: about 3 + 3 + 11 + 4 months before the I-485 stage, which is around 21 months. Adding the I-485 brings it to roughly 2.5 years. Audits, RFEs, and visa-number waits all push that out.
Important Immigration Disclaimer
This article is for general informational and recruiting purposes only and is not legal advice. F-1, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, H-1B and employment-based immigrant processes have specific eligibility and compliance requirements. Government policies can change. Students should consult their designated school official (DSO) and a qualified U.S. immigration attorney about their individual circumstances before making immigration or employment decisions.