how long with a H1B before getting a green card ?

Answer 1

An H1B visa is typically valid for up to six (6) years and entitles your spouse (husband/wife) and children to accompany you and live in America.

One of the main advantages of the H1B visa is that it is a 'dual intent' visa which means that you can apply for a Green Card (Legal Permanent Residency).

GREEN CARD - Employment Based Applications are processed on a priority system. Meaning your chances are based on how valuable INS deems your type of work in this country as follows:

EB-1 Priority workers
-Individuals with 'extraordinary' ability in the sciences, arts,
-education, business or athletics
-Outstanding professors and researchers
-Select Multinational executives

EB-2 Professionals with 'advanced' degrees or exceptional ability
-Individuals who hold an 'advanced' degree in their profession
-Exceptional ability in the sciences, arts or business

EB-3 Skilled or professional workers
-Professionals who hold a bachelor's degree, who do Not qualify for the EB-1 or EB-2 categories
-Skilled workers who have a minimum of two years training and experience
-Other workers who have less than two years training and experience
EB-3 is typically used for, but not limited to, the following occupations:
Computing & IT, Telecoms, HealthCare, Medical, Finance, Accounting, Banking, Teaching, Legal, PR, Marketing, Advertising, Sales, Business Admin / Management and Engineering (all types).

EB-4 Special Immigrants
-Current employees or former employees of the U.S. Government abroad
-Religious workers who are members of a non-profit religious organization in the USA


EB-5 Immigrant Investors
-Individuals who wish to establish a new commercial business
-Invest in a new commercial business
-Create new employment

(SEE LINKS BELOW)

Answer 2

from my experiance dealing with immigration, about 12 to 15 years.