Immigration Lifecycle Simulator | Visafig Official Figures
Applicants usually track one step at a time — PERM, then the I-140, then the wait, then the oath — and lose the shape of the whole road. This immigration lifecycle simulator puts every milestone on one board, from the first PERM filing to the naturalization oath, using real USCIS processing ranges and the verified bulletin movement for your country. You see not just where you are, but how far the finish line really is.
Photo: Luca Bravo via UnsplashYour green-card-to-citizenship path
Ranges use published USCIS typical processing windows (PERM 6–18, I-140 4–9, I-485 8–18, EAD 3–5, N-400 4–8 months) and Visafig’s verified average bulletin movement. Estimates only — not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the path start with PERM?
Most employment green cards need a PERM labor certification: the employer must show no qualified U.S. worker is available. It typically takes 6–18 months and must finish before the I-140. The NIW path skips PERM entirely, which is why it appears earlier on the board.
What is the NIW shortcut?
A National Interest Waiver lets you self-petition and bypass PERM. You file I-140 directly, shaving roughly a year off the front of the timeline. This simulator models that by dropping the PERM steps when you select the NIW path.
How long until my priority date is Current?
It depends on your category and country. The simulator uses Visafig's verified average bulletin movement to estimate the wait from I-140 approval to the date you can file I-485. For India and China employment lines this is often the longest stretch.
When do I get work authorization (EAD)?
After you file I-485 you can also file for an EAD and Advance Parole. USCIS typically issues them 3–5 months later, letting you change jobs or travel while the green card is pending.
How long until the green card after I-485?
Adjustment of status decisions commonly take 8–18 months after filing. The simulator uses the 13-month midpoint; your field office and background-check load can shift this either way.
When can I file N-400 for citizenship?
Generally 5 years (minus 90 days) of permanent residence. The simulator dates N-400 eligibility from your green-card receipt, then adds the typical 4–8 months to the oath.
Does premium processing help the whole timeline?
Only the I-140 step. Premium processing (about 15 days) gets the petition approved faster, but it does not move your priority date or speed up I-485. Toggle it to see the small front-end shift.
Why does the timeline vary so much?
PERM, I-140, I-485, and N-400 each run on separate USCIS queues, and the priority-date wait swings with bulletin movement and retrogression. The board shows ranges, not promises.
What if I use consular processing instead?
Consular processing replaces the I-485/EAD steps with an immigrant visa interview abroad. The green card arrives after entry rather than from a U.S. adjustment, but the priority-date wait is the same.
What is the best planning tip?
Lock in your earliest possible priority date. The single biggest lever on this whole board is how soon PERM or the I-140 establishes your place in line — everything downstream is measured from there.