How Long Can You Get Green Card After Marriage?

The process of obtaining a green card involves several steps, including establishing the marriage relationship (form I-130) and submitting the required documents. The processing time for a spouse green card application typically takes between 10 and 66 months, depending on the type of application. If you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, you can become a lawful permanent resident based on your family relationship if you meet.

The green card timeline can take 12-55 months for foreign nationals who marry U.S. citizens or permanent residents. If you are living outside the U.S. and married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you may only work in the U.S. after the green card application process is complete. This process typically takes 10-13 months for U.S. citizens and 29-38 months for U.S. green card holders.

The beneficiary, or person applying to receive a green card, is generally automatically eligible once they are lawfully married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder. However, there are four key reasons why a green card application might be denied to an otherwise eligible spouse: 1. You can get married tomorrow, if you wish, rather than waiting the many months it will take to get a K-1 visa.

After filing USCIS Form I-130 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the USCIS will take at least 10 to 13 months to issue a marriage-based green card. After two years, you will need to file Form I-751 to remove the conditions of residence and get a permanent green card. The wait time for a marriage-based green card averages about 9.3 months.

In summary, the green card application process typically takes 10-38 months, with factors such as processing delays and the duration of the marriage process affecting the timeline.

Is it faster to get green card through marriage?

If your spouse is a green card holder and you live in the United States, you will wait about 13.5–20.5 months to receive your green card. If your spouse is a green card holder and you live outside the United States, you will wait about 29–40 months to receive your green card.

Widows of U.S. citizens. Widows and widowers of U.S. citizens can apply for a green card within two years of their spouse’s death. The process is similar to the marriage-based green card process for spouses of U.S. citizens, but instead of the I-130, widows and widowers will file Form I-360.

What is the 90 day rule for green cards?

What is the 90-day rule? If you do something that makes you not eligible for a green card within 90 days of entering the US, you may be barred from entering the US permanently. What does all this mean? People who come to the US to apply for permanent residence could be affected by the 90-day rule. Some actions by immigrants could make them inadmissible for 90 days. The most common ones are:

Can my wife stay in the US while waiting for a green card?

Adjustment versus consular processing. Few people can choose between adjustment of status and consular processing. But some U.S. citizen spouses in the United States can choose. Most eligible spouses prefer to adjust their status. It lets the foreign spouse stay in the United States while waiting for the green card. Consular processing often results in quicker processing times. The couple may be separated. Each path has its own pros and cons. Read Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing for a detailed breakdown.

Inadmissible grounds. All green card applicants are checked for admissibility before entering the United States. If the applicant is already in the U.S., they are still checked for inadmissibility before becoming a permanent resident. People with a criminal or terrorist history, drug abuse, infectious diseases, or other characteristics will not be allowed to enter the U.S. The following list summarizes some of the major classes of inadmissibility. Sometimes a waiver is available.

How long do you have to stay in the US for a green card?

Applicants must show they have: Resided in the U.S. for five years before applying. Spouses of U.S. citizens must have lived in the U.S. for three years before applying. Otherwise, they must have lived in the U.S. for five years before applying. “Continuous residence” means that the applicant has lived in the U.S. for the required period of time. Extended absences outside the U.S. may disrupt an applicant’s residence.

How long does it take for green card after marriage?

It takes 9.3 months on average to get a green card through marriage. What is a marriage green card? A marriage-based green card lets a U.S. citizen or green card holder’s spouse live and work anywhere in the United States. A green card holder is a permanent resident until they apply for U.S. citizenship after three years of marriage.

Quick facts. As of January 2024, it takes 9.3 months to get a marriage green card. The cost is $3005 for couples living in the U.S. and $1340 when one or both spouses live outside the U.S. The first step is for the sponsoring spouse to file Form I-130 to prove the marriage is real.How to get a marriage green card Supporting documents for a marriage green card Timeline for a marriage-based green card Cost of a marriage-based green card Process for marriage green card applicants Denial rate for marriage green card applicants What’s next? FAQs for marriage green card applicants Boundless guides Information about marriage green cards Boundless reviews.

What is the 5 year rule for green card?

A. To become a naturalized citizen, you must have lived in the United States for at least five years after becoming a lawful permanent resident.

A. Continuous Residence Requirement. To become a naturalized citizen, you must have lived in the United States for at least five years after becoming a lawful permanent resident and up to the time of naturalization. The applicant must also prove they have lived in the state or district for three months before filing. The concept of continuous residence means the applicant must live in the United States for the required period. The residence in question is the same as the alien’s domicile, or main place of residence, without regard to the alien’s intent. The duration of an alien’s residence in a particular location is measured from the moment the alien first establishes residence in that location. The applicant’s residence is generally the applicant’s actual physical location. Some applicants may be eligible for a shorter period of residence, for residence while outside the United States, or for no residence requirement at all. These include military members and spouses of U.S. citizens.

What is the 6 month rule for US green card?

1. Absence of more than six months. If you are absent for more than six months but less than a year, this is presumed to break the continuity of your residence. This includes any absence before you file for naturalization and any absence between filing and admission to citizenship. Your intent is not relevant in determining your residence. How long the applicant was away from the United States affects whether they are seen as having broken the continuity of their residence. However, an applicant can prove they didn’t break the continuity of their residence. Such evidence may include documents showing that during the absence:

Is it hard to get a green card through marriage?

USCIS grants two-year conditional permanent residence to those who marry. After two years, you must file Form I-751 to remove the conditions of residence and get a permanent green card.

It might be hard to travel after marrying an American. Is that true? Yes. If you marry an American or green card holder, be careful about travel. If you are in F, J, or tourist status, you must have a home abroad and intend to return. When you apply for a visa, you have to prove you have ties to your home country. Marriage to a U.S. citizen makes it hard to prove you have ties to your home country because you are assumed to want to immigrate to the United States. If you need a new visa to return to the United States, your will visa is likely to be denied, even if you plan to continue as a full-time student. What if I have a student visa? Can I travel then? As long as you have a valid visa, are a full-time student, and have your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel by OIS, you may be able to re-enter the United States even if you have married a U.S. citizen.

Can I apply for green card after 2 years of marriage?

Yes. USCIS grants two-year conditional permanent residence for marriage. After two years, you must file Form I-751 to remove the conditions of residence and get a permanent green card.

It might be hard to travel after marrying an American. Is that true? Yes. If you marry an American or green card holder, be careful about travel. If you are in F, J, or tourist status, you must have a home abroad and intend to return. When you apply for a visa, you have to prove you have ties to your home country. Marriage to a U.S. citizen makes it hard to prove you have ties to your home country because you are assumed to want to immigrate to the United States. If you need a new visa to return to the United States, your will visa is likely to be denied, even if you plan to continue as a full-time student. What if I have a student visa? Can I travel then? As long as you have a valid visa, are a full-time student, and have your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel by OIS, you may be able to re-enter the United States even if you have married a U.S. citizen.

Can you get a green card through marriage?

Yes. USCIS grants two-year conditional permanent residence for marriage. After two years, you must file Form I-751 to remove the conditions of residence and get a permanent green card.

It might be hard to travel after marrying an American. Is that true? Yes. If you marry an American or green card holder, be careful about travel. If you are in F, J, or tourist status, you must have a home abroad and intend to return. When you apply for a visa, you have to prove you have ties to your home country. Marriage to a U.S. citizen makes it hard to prove you have ties to your home country because you are assumed to want to immigrate to the United States. If you need a new visa to return to the United States, your will visa is likely to be denied, even if you plan to continue as a full-time student. What if I have a student visa? Can I travel then? As long as you have a valid visa, are a full-time student, and have your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel by OIS, you may be able to re-enter the United States even if you have married a U.S. citizen.