If you are applying for a Green Card in the Reno or Western Nevada area, you likely had an idea of how long it would take. As of October 2025, national policy shifts and record-high backlogs have substantially reshaped that timeline. Your wait may now be significantly longer, and you may also face additional complexities you did not anticipate.
At Smit Law Group in Reno, led by immigration attorney Greta Smit, we want to help you understand what this could mean for you, your family, and your future in the United States. We regularly assist Spanish-speaking clients and explain your best options clearly, so you are informed and confident every step of the way.
Let’s walk through what has changed in Nevada and across the country, what it could mean for your journey to lawful permanent residence (your Green Card), and what you can do right now to give yourself the best possible chance.
What Has Changed in 2025?
Record-High Backlogs and Slower Processing
The most immediate change you’ll face is longer wait times. According to recent data from the USCIS immigration and citizenship data portal, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported more than 11.5 million pending applications, across all immigration filing types, by the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 (April through June). This total includes Green Card petitions, work permits, renewals, and more.
For many applicants in the Western Nevada area, this means:
- Applications that once took 6 to 12 months are now stretching well beyond 12 months.
- Green Card renewals or replacement filings (for example, Form I-90) are now showing median processing times of eight months or more, particularly for applicants from high-demand countries such as India or China.
- Employment-based Green Card categories and family-preference petitions are particularly affected by visa-number limits and priority-date retrogression. In other words, even after USCIS approves your petition, you may still face a waiting period for a visa number to become available.
These national-level delays set the backdrop for your application, even if you are filing in Reno or the surrounding region.
Increased Documentation and Scrutiny
Beyond longer wait times, the Green Card process is becoming more detailed and demanding. That means you can expect more Requests for Evidence (RFEs), more frequent interview invitations, and greater focus on your past travel, work history, or prior status issues.
For example, median processing time for Form I-90 has climbed significantly compared to historical averages. Because of these shifts, preparing your case now means more than simply estimating a timeline. You should focus on submitting a file that is not just complete, but clearly organized, well-documented, and ready for follow-up review.
National Versus Local Factors
As a Green Card applicant in the Reno/Western Nevada region, it helps to grasp how national trends and local practices together shape your case.
While your Green Card application is filed locally in Reno or Western Nevada, it is still processed through the national system, which now defines the baseline wait time you should expect. Local factors cannot eliminate that delay, but they do influence how your case progresses here.
In Reno and the surrounding area, you’ll attend your biometrics at the USCIS Application Support Center (ASC), and if an interview is required, it will be scheduled at the USCIS Reno Field Office. In that environment, a Reno-based immigration attorney, with insight into field-office scheduling, how biometrics appointments work here, and how follow-ups are handled, offers real value.
What This Means for Applicants in Western Nevada
If you are filing or have already filed for a Green Card in Nevada, here is what you should know:
- Your visa category and country of origin matter more than ever. Employment-based preferences like EB-2 and EB-3 face heavy pressure due to visa caps and backlog. Family-preference categories may face multi-year waits. Even expedited categories (such as spouses or parents of U.S. citizens) are seeing slower processing than in prior years.
- Your role is more active than before. With increased scrutiny, gathering documents, staying in touch with your attorney, and responding promptly are now essential to moving forward confidently.
What You Can Do Right Now
To put yourself in the best position under the current environment, we recommend you take these steps:
Step 1. Review your file today:
- Are all forms complete and accurate?
- Do you clearly meet eligibility for the category you selected?
- Are there past issues (travel, immigration status, work, criminal) that could trigger scrutiny?
If you spot any red flags, speak with an immigration attorney in Reno now rather than waiting until after you file your Green Card application.
Step 2. Prepare for the process to take extra time:
Because the process is slower than it used to be, adjust your life plans accordingly. Job changes, travel, and family sponsorships may need more flexibility. Planning around an extended timeline could reduce anxiety and give you time to respond to delays.
Step 3. Stay organized and responsive:
If USCIS issues an RFE or schedules an interview, timely response matters. Late or incomplete responses may push your case back and increase the risk of denial or further delay. Keep copies of everything you submit, note key dates, and monitor your case status online using the USCIS Case Status tool. Frequent communication with your attorney ensures you remain ahead of each step, not behind.
Step 4. Choose local support with a national perspective:
While immigration law is federal, location matters. In Reno, Nevada, you will benefit from an attorney who knows both national trends and local USCIS practices. At Smit Law Group, we provide:
- A full case review identifying strengths and risk points before filing.
- Strategy tailored to your circumstances, visa category, country of origin, and regional context.
- Clear communication with no legalese, just practical advice, so you know what is happening at every step.
- Ongoing support and steadfast advocacy from filing through interview and follow-up.
Why Acting Now Matters
These Green Card timeline delays and policy changes are not theoretical. They are happening now. Every week you wait to prepare adds the risk of avoidable time lost. By taking action today and reaching out to my office, you can give yourself the time to gather documents, address issues, and file with greater confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Will my Green Card application be denied because of the delays?
No. While processing is slower, delays do not mean denial. That said, because the system is under strain, an application that is incomplete or poorly documented may face further delay or additional review scrutiny. While delays do not inherently cause denial, insufficient documentation or missed deadlines can increase the risk of denial.
2. My spouse filed for a Green Card several months ago. Will these new timelines affect them, too?
Yes. Even pending cases may face longer wait times and increased scrutiny now, depending on the visa category, origin country, and how far along the case is. It is wise to review those cases with legal counsel to stay informed and proactive.
3. Can I travel outside the U.S. while my Green Card application is pending?
USCIS guidance on pending Green Card applications states that traveling outside the U.S. without required authorization may result in abandonment of your Form I-485. If your application is still pending, traveling abroad requires careful planning.
In most cases, leaving the U.S. without first obtaining approved Advance Parole means USCIS may consider your I-485 abandoned and deny your application. On the other hand, certain visa holders (such as those on valid H-1B, L-1, K-3/K-4, or V visas) may travel and re-enter without Advance Parole if they continue to meet their visa conditions.
If you have applied for and received Advance Parole, you may travel with that document, but even then, re-entry is not guaranteed. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer may deny admission. Because immigration policies and travel restrictions continue to evolve through 2025, it is essential to consult with an experienced Reno immigration attorney before making any travel decisions. Your attorney can determine whether you qualify for Advance Parole, whether your visa allows safe re-entry, and help you avoid jeopardizing your pending application.
How Smit Law Group Can Help You
If you are considering applying for a Green Card or want to understand how current delays may affect you, guidance that reflects the realities of today and our evolving legal landscape is more important than ever. At Smit Law Group in Reno, we offer:
- A thorough review of your case to identify any issues prior to filing.
- Strategy tailored to your specific circumstances and goals.
- Honest, clear, consistent updates so you always understand where your case stands and are prepared for what comes next.
- Dedicated advocacy and steady, trusted support from filing through interview and beyond.
Ready to Understand Your Green Card Timeline? Contact Smit Law Group Today
While this article focuses on Green Card timelines, if you are facing removal proceedings, asylum issues, or need representation in immigration court, we are ready to assist. If you’re ready to discuss your Green Card application or simply want to understand what your timeline may look like in 2025, contact Smit Law Group in Reno today for your initial consultation.
Together, we will build a plan that reflects today’s reality and sets you up to move forward with confidence.
Disclaimer: The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.