How To Start Green Card Process After Marriage?

The process of obtaining a green card through marriage involves three steps: establishing the marriage relationship through filing Form I-130, applying for the green card, and attending the green card interview. The process typically takes 10-13 months for U.S. citizens and 29-38 months for U.S. green card holders. The sponsor and applicant must submit all application materials in one package. 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 certain eligibility requirements. The processing time for the spousal visa can range from 8 months to 5 years. The U.S. spouse is known as the “sponsor,” while the spouse looking for the green card is called the “beneficiary.” If you are living outside the U.S. and married to a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, you may only work in the U.S. after the green card application process is complete. USCIS typically takes 6 to 12 months to process an I-130 for a green card through marriage case.

The adjustment of status or consular processing process for obtaining a green card can take 6 to 8 months, depending on factors such as the type of visa needed and the duration of the marriage. A marriage-based green card allows a fiancé(e) to enter the United States for 90 days, allowing the marriage ceremony to take place in the country. Once married, the spouse can apply for permanent residence and remain in the US while the process is completed. The process involves filing Form I-129F, a visa petition on Form I-130, and supporting documents. The average processing time for Form I-130 is around 12 months. The first step in applying for a marriage-based green card is completing Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative. The second step is the green card interview and approval. The total processing time for a U.S. citizens spouse is 10-14 months, while for a green card holders spouse, it is around 4 years. If married overseas, the spouse must file Form I-751 after two years to remove residence conditions and obtain a permanent green card.

How long after marriage does it take to get green card?

How long does it take to get a green card from marriage? If your spouse is a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you will wait about: 10–23 months if you currently live in the U.S. 13.5–15 months if you currently live abroad..5–20.5 months abroad 29–40 months Marriage Green Card Timeline When the couple lives in the U.S. Marriage Green Card Timeline When the spouse lives outside the U.S. Frequently Asked Questions Related Information How long does it take to get a green card from marriage? The average wait time for a marriage-based green card is about 9.3 months. Boundless updates these figures monthly based on USCIS data. This depends on whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder and where you live. It takes about 9.3 months to get a marriage green card.

How much to apply for a green card through marriage?

How much does it cost to get a green card? The government filing fee for a family-based green card is $3,005 for applicants in the United States and $1,340 for applicants outside the United States. This does not include the cost of the medical exam, which varies by provider. Green Card Costs Will Increase April 1, 2024. USCIS confirmed that filing fees for various immigration forms will increase on April 1, 2024. Visa costs will go up, including green cards. The fee for a green card application, Form I-485, will go up from $1,225 to $1,440. To calculate your 2024 green card costs, check out the Boundless guide. Boundless Essential offers great service at a low price. No surprises here. Get unlimited support and your full application for one flat fee.

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

By filing Form I-485, applicants can become permanent residents and stay in the U.S. while their application is pending. During this waiting period, applicants often need to support themselves financially. Many immigrants see getting a Green Card in the United States as a big achievement. It’s a big step towards their goals and a more stable future. For many, it’s a path to new opportunities, access to a diverse and dynamic society, and the ability to live and work legally in the U.S. However, the journey toward permanent residency is often long and complex, with applicants facing uncertainty and questions about their future. One of the main concerns is whether they can stay in the U.S. during this time. This waiting period can be stressful because applicants must understand the legal process and follow immigration rules. It’s a time that tests their patience and resilience as they wait for a decision that will change their lives.

Can I sponsor my wife to USA if I have a green card?

As a Green Card holder, you can petition for certain family members to immigrate to the United States.

Spouse (husband or wife); Unmarried children under 21; Unmarried son or daughter of any age. To get a Green Card for your family member, you must: File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Show you are a permanent resident. Submit evidence of the qualifying relationship. See the form instructions for what documents you need to submit. Also, submit proof of any legal name changes for you or your family member.

How long does it take to start green card process?

You can apply for a green card from the United States or at a U.S. consulate abroad. It takes about two years for a green card to become available, and the whole process can take three years. Citizens of Mexico, China, India, and the Philippines may have to wait longer. If your spouse is a green card holder and you live outside the United States, you will have to wait about 23-32 months to get a green card. How long does it take to get green cards for children? For children under 21: The process takes about 10-13 months. There is no limit on the number of visas for children of U.S. citizens under 21. After starting the immigration process, they can usually get a green card in a year.

For minor children of green card holders: The process usually takes 2-5 years. They must wait for a green card to become available after their sponsor files Form I-130. They can apply for a green card in the US or abroad. However, they are eligible for the same processing times as spouses of U.S. green card holders.

Can my wife stay in the U.S. 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 do I start the green card process?

File the petition. Most categories require a family member or employer to file a petition on your behalf. Wait for a decision on your petition. … Wait for a visa number. … Attend an interview. … Pay the USCIS fee. … Get your green card. What is a green card? Green Card Application Green Card Timeline Green Card Costs Types of Green Cards Family-Based Green Card Employment-Based Green Card Humanitarian Green Card Diversity Lottery Green Card Long-Time Resident Green Card Other Types of Green Cards Green Card FAQs Boundless Guides Related Information Boundless Immigration Reviews A green card is a document that lets you live and work in the U.S. permanently. This status lets you live and work in the U.S. forever and eventually become a citizen. Did you know? In FY2024, about 34.7 million people applied for green cards. In 1996, only about 10 million people applied for green cards. The U.S. government says it will approve about 1.1 million green card applications this year, or 3 out of every 100 applicants. Others will have to wait or not be approved. SOURCE: CATO Institute.

When to file I-130 after marriage?

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can file the Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) with USCIS as soon as you marry your immigrant spouse. Form I-130 is the first step for any alien who wants to immigrate to the United States as the relative of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you can file the Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) with USCIS as soon as you and your immigrant spouse are married. This is the first step for anyone who wants to immigrate to the United States as the spouse or other close family member of a U.S. citizen or green card holder. The form is signed and submitted by the U.S. family member who is petitioning for the immigrant.

How long do I have to stay married to my wife for green card?

The spouse of a U.S. citizen must have been married to their citizen spouse for at least three years before filing for citizenship. A. General Eligibility for Spouses Residing in the United States. A U.S. citizen’s spouse may be eligible for naturalization if they have lived in the United States for at least three years after becoming a lawful permanent resident (LPR) and have lived in a marital union with their citizen spouse for at least three years. The spouse must meet the following criteria to qualify:

At least 18 years old at the time of filing; a LPR at the time of filing the naturalization application; and the spouse of the U.S. citizen until the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance.The applicant must have been married to the citizen spouse for at least three years before filing for naturalization. The citizen spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for those three years. The applicant must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least three years before filing for naturalization.Be in the United States for at least 18 months (548 days) out of the 3 years before filing the application. Live in the state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over your place of residence for at least 3 months before filing. Know how to read, write, and speak English. Know the basics of US history, government, and civics. Demonstrate good moral character for at least three years before applying for citizenship. Be loyal to the U.S. Constitution and want the United States to be a good and happy country.

Can you marry someone in another country if you’re already married?

If you are married to someone in the U.S., what happens overseas depends on the country. If polygamy is recognized in another country, you can get married again. However, if you return to the U.S., your foreign marriage won’t be recognized. If you are already married in the U.S., you have to get divorced or widowed before you can remarry. Laws vary by state and country. Contact a local family law attorney before planning a wedding in a foreign country.

How long does it take to process I-130 for spouse?

Current estimated times. The USCIS website says it takes about 10.8 months for a U.S. citizen to process an I-130 petition for a spouse or child, and about 25 months for a green card holder to process one for a spouse or child. The I-130 petition for an alien relative is important for those immigrating to the United States. This petition establishes a relationship between a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a foreign national relative. It is the first step in the family-based immigration process. The processing time for the I-130 petition can vary. Factors that affect I-130 processing time include the number of applications waiting to be processed, the complexity of the case, and the workload of the USCIS office. USCIS says it can take up to a year to process an I-130 petition. Sometimes it takes over a year to process an I-130 petition, which is frustrating for those waiting for approval. Applicants should be patient and understand that processing times for I-130 petitions can be unpredictable. You can speed up the process by taking these steps. This means submitting a complete and accurate application, responding to requests for more information or documents, and checking the status of the application online.