My green card application has been pending 3 years — is that normal?

Unfortunately, employment-based green card backlogs of 3+ years are not unusual, especially for applicants from India or China in EB-2 and EB-3 preference categories, where wait times can stretch decades due to per-country annual caps. Check the USCIS case status online with your receipt number and review the monthly Visa Bulletin to track your priority date. If your I-140 petition was approved but you are waiting for a visa number to become available, there is little you can do to speed up the process. However, if your I-485 adjustment of status has been pending beyond normal processing times, you can file an expedite request with USCIS or consult an immigration attorney about a mandamus action in federal court.