Obtaining a green card through marriage is a widely used path to achieve legal permanent residency in the United States, however, the processing time varies based on several factors such as the applicant's location and whether the spouse is a U.S. citizen. For 2026, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses median processing times accumulated up to the end of fiscal year 2025 as a reference, showing durations that can range from four to fourteen months. Knowing these statistics helps applicants gauge the expected duration for each phase of the marriage-based residency process. Moreover, the article outlines the typical steps involved in this immigration procedure, emphasizing the importance of understanding the timeline to better prepare applicants for the journey ahead.