How Long After VAWA Is Approved to Get a Green Card?

Once your VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petition — Form I-360 — is approved, the time it takes to receive your green card depends on your eligibility to adjust status and whether a visa is immediately available in your category.

General Timeline

• VAWA Petition Approval (Form I-360):
  This process typically takes 12 to 18 months.

• Adjustment of Status (Form I-485):
  If you’re eligible to apply for a green card from within the U.S. (adjustment of status), the Form I-485 process generally takes an additional 6 to 12 months after I-360 approval.
  Total estimated time from VAWA petition filing to green card:
  18 to 30 months, depending on USCIS processing times and case specifics.

Important Considerations

• If you’re classified as an immediate relative (e.g., abused spouse or child of a U.S. citizen), you don’t have to wait for a visa to become available, and can often file Form I-485 together with or soon after I-360 approval.
• If you’re in a preference category (e.g., abused spouse or child of a green card holder), you must wait until your priority date becomes current on the Visa Bulletin before you can file Form I-485. This may add months or years to your green card timeline.

Final Tip

To avoid delays, make sure your adjustment application is complete and includes all required documents. Consider working with an immigration attorney, especially if you have past immigration issues or if your category requires tracking the visa bulletin movement.