Miami, FL immigration attorney Ruth Jean explains how long does family-based immigration takes. She explains that in family-based immigration, the processing time varies depending on the petitioner’s status. When a U.S. citizen petitions for an immigrant family member, the process is generally shorter than when a lawful permanent resident files the petition. For example, a U.S. citizen petitioning for a spouse may expect the process to take approximately nine to twelve months, depending on the jurisdiction. In contrast, when a lawful permanent resident petitions for a spouse, the process may take up to two years, also depending on the jurisdiction.