Sponsorship by a Lawful Permanent Resident: Processing Times

Sponsorship by a Lawful Permanent Resident

If you are an LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident or Green Card holder), you may sponsor your spouse, children, and step-children. In some cases, if you are an LPR, it is quicker to obtain your US Citizenship before you sponsor your relative.
If you are an LPR sponsoring your unmarried children under 21 years old or your spouse, the approximate waiting time is 5 years.
If you are an LPR sponsoring your unmarried children over 21 years old, the approximate waiting time is 8.5 years.
The waiting times may be longer if your family member is coming from Mexico, India or the Philippines.

Source:
Family Immigration


Processing Times - Family-Sponsored Preferences
ILW.COM - the immigration portal: Family priority dates

U.S. Department of State - Priority Dates for May 2009
NOTE: This information has been obtained from the Department of State visa bulletin.

1st 22SEP02 -- 22SEP02 -- 22SEP02 -- 08OCT92 -- 01AUG93
2A 08OCT04 -- 08OCT04 -- 08OCT04 -- 01APR02 -- 08OCT04
2B 15NOV00 -- 15NOV00 -- 15NOV00 -- 01MAY92 --01FEB98
3rd 08SEP00 -- 08SEP00 -- 08SEP00 -- 22OCT92 -- 22JUN91
4th 08JUN98 -- 22MAR98 -- 08JUN98 -- 01MAY95 -- 08JUL86

*NOTE: For May, 2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are available to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 01APR02. 2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are available to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO with priority dates beginning 01APR02 and earlier than 08OCT04. (All 2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit; there are no 2A numbers for MEXICO subject to per-country limit.)

1st: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.
2nd: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, and any unused first preference numbers:
2A: Spouses and Children: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;
2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older): 23% of the overall second preference limitation.
3rd: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.
4th: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.