To obtain a marriage-based green card, you must file the I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, which establishes a valid marriage between you and your spouse. If you are the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen’s immediate relative, you must independently qualify for a Green Card and file your own application. The process involves three steps: establishing the marriage relationship by filing Form I-130, applying for the green card through adjustment of status (Form I-485) if you’re living in the U.S. or Form DS-260 if you’re a foreigner.
For a marriage-based green card, you must submit supporting documentation with Forms I-130 and I-864 to U.S. Citizenship. If you’re a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you and your spouse will need to file a Petition for Alien Relative and an Adjustment of Status through marriage. The total government filing fee is $1,760 (if filed before April 1, 2024).
Getting a green card through marriage is one of the fastest ways to obtain permanent residence, but proceed with caution. Some documents required include birth certificates of any children born of the marriage, joint accounts, proof of shared residence, photos, statements from the petitioner or beneficiary, and statements from friends/family members.
📹 Marriage Green Cards USA Explained | From Inside or Outside of USA | A to Z Steps of The Process
Going to see: Marriage Green Cards USA Explained | From Inside or Outside of USA | A to Z Steps of The Process, If you and your …
What is the difference between i-130 and i485?
The I-130 petition asks the government to do something, but its process can be confusing. The I-485 process is similar to the I-130, but concerns the eligibility of the immigrant or beneficiary.
How much does Form I-130 cost?
$675 Common green card costs and fees Government Form Who Must File It Filing Fee Form I-130 (Family Sponsorship Petition) Sponsoring relative (U.S. citizen or green card holder) Form I-130A (Supplemental Information Form) Spouse seeking a green card $0 USCIS’ Fee Increase 2024 Common green card costs and fees Common Forms and Fees for U.S. CitizenshipIf you want to get a green card, a fiancé visa, or become a U.S. citizen, you’ll need to provide specific documents to the U.S. government. Each application costs and takes different amounts of time. The cost and time also depend on the type of visa you’re applying for. Historically, it was faster and more expensive to get a green card via a fiancé visa. Recently, the time it takes to get a fiancé visa and a CR-1 spousal visa has been roughly the same. For couples who can marry outside the U.S., this is cheaper. For those who need to marry in the U.S., it’s important to know the cost of a green card.
Important: On January 31, 2024, USCIS published a rule that will increase the fees for many immigration applications, including those for family and employment visas. The new fees will take effect on April 1, 2024. This is the first significant fee change since 2016. It will affect many immigrants and businesses.
Can I stay in the US while waiting for a marriage 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 many years does it take to get a green card through marriage?
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.
Is Form I-130 for spouse?
You can file Form I-130 for: A. Your spouse; B. Your children under 21; C. Your sons or daughters 21 or older; D. Your married children of any age; E. Your siblings (21+); and F. Your parents (21+).
What do I need to get a green card through marriage?
To get a green card for your marriage, you need: 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 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 about marriage green cards Boundless guides Information about marriage green cards Boundless reviews.
What forms do I need to file for my spouse?
File a separate Form I-130 for each eligible relative unless they can be considered a derivative beneficiary. See the form instructions for more information. If you submit a petition for your spouse, you must also submit Form I-130A.
ALERT: On January 31, 2024, we published a final rule in the Federal Register that adjusts the fees for most immigration applications and petitions. The new fees will take effect on April 1, 2024. Applications and petitions postmarked on or after April 1, 2024, must include the new fees. Otherwise, we will not accept them. The new fee is for filings postmarked April 1, 2024, and later. If you file an acceptable prior form edition on or after April 1, 2024, you must pay the new filing fee.
What forms need to be filled out for green card?
Sponsored for a Green Card. To get a Green Card, you have to fill out two forms: an immigrant petition and a Green Card application (Form I-485). Someone else usually files the petition for you (sponsoring or petitioning for you), but you may be able to file for yourself in some cases. Here are the most common forms:
Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative; Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition; Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant; Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur; Form I-918, Petition of U Nonimmigrant Status; Form I-929, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant.
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.
Can I file I-130 and i485 together?
If you are applying for a marriage-based green card, you can file Form I-485 at the same time as your U.S. citizen spouse files Form I-130. You can also do this if you are the parent or child of the U.S. citizen filing Form I-130 on your behalf. Sometimes a visa may not be immediately available if you are applying for a family-preference or employment-based green card. You must wait until USCIS approves the Form I-130 petition and an immigrant visa number is available. You can track this on the monthly visa bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State. When you file Form I-485, USCIS may request your fingerprints to confirm your identity and run a background check.
Should I file I-130 and i-864 together?
When someone files an I-130, they usually file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. People often file Form I-864 after filing Form I-130. If Form I-130 and Form I-485 are filed at the same time, Form I-864 is filed at the same time as Form I-130. Form I-864 must be filed with an Adjustment of Status Application. The petitioner must file Form I-864 for their beneficiary to get a green card. If you filed Form I-130 as a petitioner, you may want to consult with an immigration attorney to avoid mistakes when filing Form I-864.
Not knowing the difference between Form I-864 EZ, Form I-864, and Form I-864A. Form I-864 EZ is a shorter form with fewer questions. You can only fill out Form I-864 EZ under certain conditions. See the USCIS instructions for Form I-864 EZ. You can’t use Form I-864 EZ if you’re a joint sponsor or if there are derivative beneficiaries to Form I-130. Form Form I-864A is a form to be signed by a household member of the petitioner if they want to use their income to help sponsor the beneficiary.
Not sure which tax documents to provide. A petitioner can send the last three years of taxes, but only the most recent one is required. You may want to discuss with an immigration attorney which tax documents to provide.
Which gets approved first, I-130 or I-485?
The I-485 application is based on an immigrant petition, such as the I-130 filed by your U.S. citizen son. Your I-485 was approved first because of differences in processing times or the USCIS field office handling your case.
📹 ASSEMBLING YOUR GREEN CARD PACKET | Concurrent Filing I-130 & I-485
Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro 01:37 List of Forms for Green Card 02:26 Passport Photos – How Many to Include? 05:12 Payments 08:08 …
USEFUL LINKS: 🔹Form Filing Tips: uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/tips-for-filing-forms-by-mail 🔹USCIS Fee Calculator: uscis.gov/feecalculator 🔹Passport Photo Requirements: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html 🔹How to Pay USCIS Fees: youtube.com/watch?v=kk79KZ5-cWs&t=313s 🔹List of Forms for Family Green Card: youtube.com/watch?v=46ONHo-lk18&t=1s 🔹Cover Letter Sample: youtube.com/watch?v=L-4Z1wb9wy8 🔹Bona Fide Marriage Photos: youtube.com/watch?v=3k_6h6r7pG8&t=8s 🔹I-485 Evidence: youtube.com/watch?v=mpAg0UHym2E&t=454s 🔹Where to Send Your Packet: youtube.com/watch?v=lKrXnGsT2Wk&t=44s 🔹Cover Letter Sample 1: docs.google.com/document/d/11EAdaI_pPJ-JqGxmznMlZZyMjS8GhMR2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102687945597679835999&rtpof=true&sd=true\r 🔹Cover Letter Sample 2 (FOR THOSE WHO FILED I-130 ONLINE): docs.google.com/document/d/1KbiTi04UjXzoMH3Rfo6V0VwsBxXj2PER/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102687945597679835999&rtpof=true&sd=true Time Stamps: 0:00 Intro 01:37 List of Forms for Green Card 02:26 Passport Photos – How Many to Include? 05:12 Payments 08:08 Medical Exam I-693 08:31 Cover Letter 09:58 I-130 Online Receipt 10:39 Colored Dividers 11:18 G-1145 12:25 Expiration Dates, Signatures, and Additional Information Page 13:19 Black & White or Color? 13:38 Photo Evidence Marriage Green Card 14:03 I-130, I-130A and Marital Evidence 14:41 I-485, I-864 15:22 I-765, I-131 15:52 Sticky Tabs Debate 16:14 Clips Debate 16:43 OTHER TIPS 17:18 Where to Send Your Packet?
Hi Kseniya! I appreciate this article so much. It can be a daunting process so thanks for helping with all the tips! I was wondering if you could make a article about i-130 evidence and how to prepare it. I know you did a article while back talking about photo evidence but it would be so helpful to know how to manage all the other evidence people provide! Thank you so so much again❤
Hello Kseniya, I came back to say thank you for all the information you shared with us and also to share my case experience. I filed I-130 & I-485 concurrently (I`m a parent of US Citizen). The I-130 was filed on October 5th, 2023 and I-485 was filed on Dec 4th, 2023. I did my fingerprints on Jan 31, 2024. My EAD & AP were approved on the first week of Feb/2024 and I received the EAD combo card 2 weeks later. My I-130 & I-485 were approved on April 5h, 2024 (total of 6 months).
My wife and I followed these instruction and also referred to so many other articles you have on your website while filing for her green card. Our process probably went as smooth as possible even though we were selected for an interview due to my wife’s many crossings in and out of the US due to living in a border city. You help so many people make life changing moves, calm nerves, and save thousands of dollars on lawyer fees in many cases I’m sure (btw check article descriptions for the donation link 😉 ). Thank you!
Hi Kseniya, this has been really useful. Thanks for the great info! I was wondering if you would do a green card package for an EB-2 NIW, meaning a concurrent filing of i-140, i-485 and i-765. This would be really helpful! Thank you a lot!!! And you may also consider to update or make a new article regarding the use of the information in the bulletin re when you can submit your application.
❤Эту самая лучшая инструкция котороую видел за все видео за 12мес…ответила 6а все вопросы !!!!которые обычным русс.языком я задавал 5 ти адвокатам с совокупным опытом 100лет, никто так и несмог обьяснить что именно хочет ..клиент..а Ксения так четко так конкретно..все разложила…апплодирую стоя… Реально? Нафиг адвокат???
Your articles have been really helpful for people like me who don’t want to hire a lawyer. My packet is assembled in the following order: passport photos and money orders clipped to medical evaluation, followed by cover letter with the following documents: G-1145, I-130, Marriage Bona Fides, I-130A, I-485, I-864, I-765 and I-131.
The barcode is not mandatory.. based on which internet browser you use to open the forms the barcode may not be visible.. with or without it USCIS will still process your application as long as the form edition date and page # is listed at the bottom of the page. Overall great article! This is very useful.. I love it!
Medical record is a part of evidence for I-485. USCIS is clearly stating what supposed to be the first 3 documents in the packet – 1.Payment – 2.Notification – 3. Form…and only after, supporting docs for that particular form. Which Medical Record is part of and in general, will go later on as being number 10 in I-485 instruction list. Love your articles!
I ve done it and got my 10 years permanent resident card yesterday because your grace and your wonderful soul . You are more than a gold mine wish you remain blessed and protected from every negative energies . I ve submitted my entire fold after 2months of perusal consistently and precisely your articles concerning family based . It was an exited journey and today I can yell your name and your page everywhere for thanking you for this outstanding job . Thank you for creating so much confident energy and responsibility around our own person . Thank you thank you thank you 🙏 ❤ Sumbmission date : April 2023 Approval notice and physical green card Received 30 th September 2023
Hi Kseniya! Thank you for this amazing job helping us to go through this process and be successful in it. I recently became a US citizen and I’m in the process of requesting my mom’s green card. I just filed the I-130 online, and the only A number that I see in the receipt notice is my A number. Should I leave the A number space blank when I file my mom’s I-485?
Hello, we are ready to turn our packet in a few days but I am unsure about a few things. i am a US Citizen sponsoring my husband (we’re both living in the US) for adjustment of status (he has DACA) and has re-entered through advance parole. -Household size: 2 (me & him) im also using his income to supplement mine. Both combined is 99k/yr. But in our tax records, he used his old address and put his brother as a dependent (because he was providing support for him majority of that year then we moved out). This old address is listed on the application as well but now we live in our current address (new one). Should we include his brother for household size because of the tax records (even though he lives in a different address) ?
Hello, I have a quick question if you can answer for me as soon as you can please. I am getting ready to file all the forms above from your article and I am also checking the fees for each form which some are free but for form I-765, I am checking the fee and it says to file it with the department of state? so what should I do? Can I still send it together like the packet you are preparing above?
Hi Kseniya, this guide is super helpful! Thank you❤. I’m filing I-130 online and will mail I-485 along with I-765 and I-131. Is it necessary to provide total of 6 passport style photos per requirement of each of these 3 forms? Or I only need to provide 2?? Have you seen cases where people submitting 6 photos? Thanks in advance!
Hi Kseniya! Thanks for your help sooo much! I applied concurrently just based on your articles. Sent over at the end on April and just got my EAD card after two months! My question is: is EAD all I need to start looking for a job? Or should I apply to SSN? Or they will send it to me later? Thank you! 🙏
Hi Kseniya! Thank you so much for all your articles, I am about to send them this week! I just have one question. Do I have to attach the medical exam like that on top of everything? I placed the envelope inside a poly bubble mailer and I was gonna add it behind or on top the rest of documents? Do you think that’s fine? I just don’t want to risk that it gets damaged. I just would like to know if that’s okay. Thank you so much!!!
Hello Kseniya, I am so glad you have these articles ! Thank you so much! I am trying to fill the forms by myself to save $$. My daughter is 21 and a US citizen, I am in the US. My question is If I answer yes to a question on Part 8 of the form I-485, for example “Have you ever worked in the US without authorization” Does it mean I need to hire a lawyer?
Hello, thank you for the amazing article. Question is, in case of concurrent filing, do i need to duplicate the evidence for each form.or just attch everything or most to i-485? I am talking i 94, marriage certificate, pictures, iDs, bith certificate passport.etc because some forms have unique evidence to attach but some have same documents. I would like to send 1-130, I- 485, I-765, 131 and i-693 all at once. Thank you Ksenyia. Looking forward to your response ❤
on the USCIS Page When getting the addresses and what needs to be in the pack its says ”All pages of your passport with a U nonimmigrant visa (or a valid explanation of why you do not have such a document)” is that about pasport pictures or do you have to print off a picture of every page in ur pass port?
Hello, if sending this package as you have it, do i need to provide Joint Sponsor’s Proof of Status (US Passport/birth cert/naturalization cert/GC) if spouse is the actual sponsor and the citizenship cert is already included with form I-130 petitioner. . Do we need to send a copy of the cert with ea form even if it is the same package?
Great tutorials! I did all of my parents’ process following her articles and recommendations they are awesome!!! I have a question my parents are here in US already, thank you to your articles, my father received his green card but my mom received an appointment for fingerprints. Is it normal ? Have you heard of any experience of a similar case? Thank you for your time!
Hi @kseniyainternational do i need to use pencil or black ink is fine at the back of the 2×2 photos in writing my name? Also do i need to write my name on all pages of forms if i dont have an A#? Last question on i130 last page and last page of I864 on name field should we put the petitioners name or beneficiary name? Since these forms i noticed is being answered by the sponsor? Thank u so much❤
Question, my affidavit of support has an error in their original birth certificate with a misspelling of their name. They got it fixed but cant find the new corrected version they only have the old one and a copy of a note that it was fixed as well as her marriage certificate showing her country of birth being the USA. Can this be accepted?
Thanks! Thanks for your informative articles. I’ve already submitted the I-130 & I-130A online last week & I’m about to submit the I-485 concurrent filing this week. I’ve a few questions.\r 1) UNSOLICITED EVIDENCE – What kind of documents can we submit here for additional support to help strengthen our case?\r 2) Where should I attach the birth certificate, passport copy, US tourist visa page copy, most recent I-94 copy of my wife (beneficiary)? I forgot to include them on the online I-130 & I-130A submission.
Hi Ksenia!Thank you so much for the article,I liked it wven before perusal! I have a question if you could answer,I will appreciate it.I am a PR,and filed I-130 form online for my huaband in January 2023.Currently my husband is in US and we plan to file AOS for him.I am 6 month in US,and I am employed for 4 months.Yet I couldn’t file my taxes.What can I show as a affidavit of support? (The ability to be a sponsor for my husband). We do have a joint account in a bank in US with funds,can I show it and my payslips for past 4 months? Thank you so much! ❤
Hello miss kseniya … I’m going to do this method thank you so much .I’m wanting to submit mine Wednesday … but I’m confused about something .. DID YOU ATTACH ALL YOUR EVIDENCES AT THE BACK OF THE PACKET OR DID YOU ADD YOUR EVIDENCES AT THE BACK OF EACH APPLICATION? What if 3 documents wants a copy of your birth paper do o just print it 3 time and add it to each
Hi Kseniya! I appreciate this article so much. I filed i-130 with i-130A online. But I forget to print my name on the last page of i-130A. My name and other identifying information are consistently provided on other pages. Will that cause a reject because of incompletion? And what should I do due to this situation? Thank you!
Please help me with an issue of my immunisation card that was given to me a kid has three names and I only use one of them on my national id and some other name. When I went to hospital I was born in they said they cannot change the name in the system but I can just cross the names that I don’t use and name those that I use. Won’t that affect me in case I go for medicals.
Hey thank you so much for providing so much information for us who want to file without a lawyer. I have a question for you, on our marriage certificate says my last name they didnt change it to his they didnt even asked me for that option. So do I file my case with my last name or i can do it with his last name even though on marriage certificate is still my madden name?
I have a question about the picture evidence. would it be a problem if I printed the pictures landscape? I use a powerpoint to compile my pictures so when printed its on the legal size paper but landscape if that makes sense lol. Also your articles helped me through this process, I’ve recommended your page to many
Kseniya, I’m filing for I – 485 right now, so my package should look slimmer? right? Also, can I file I -131 and updated I – 765 online, while sending I – 485 by mail? Or should I send all of these together in one package? Edited: I now saw your article regarding I – 131, it can not be filed online when sending with I – 485 What about I – 765?
Hello Kseniya! Thank you for your articles they are amazing. I have a question I hope you can answer for me. I’m a student and unemployed right now and I want to submit a petition for my husband, can I do it just with the income from a sister who lives with us and meets the poverty guidelines? Thank you.
Hello Kseniya, I am filing form I-130 for my spouse who is residing abroad. She was never married before except to me and I put 1(one) to the question on how many times the beneficiary has been married (in this case that is me) My prior spouse was not married prior to me at that time either and I submitted the Divorce decree for that. ** My question is, why is the online form asking me for evidence of the “evidence of the end of your pouse’s marriage(s)? Your help means a lot. Thank you
good afternoon ! i have question if you dont mind. When filing the I 130 online within the United States how long does it take to get the receipt notice which is needed for the I 485 as part of my adjustment of status package? Is it something you get right away or is there a period you have to wait thank you for your help your articles are very useful. and your amazing
I Submitted mi I-130 and my I-485 on July 27 2021, first I received my work permit. Now on may 07 2023 they asked me for (Request for Evidence RFE) my Medical exam and they ask my wife for more marry proof (I assume is because it’s been two years already), I sent it on June 01 with receive signing through USPS and they received it. But as today June 19 2023 they have not update my USCIS Account, how long do they usually process the RFE?
Thank you so much for making all useful articles, I have been perusal and following your instructions. \r I have important questions though. I have a lot of I-20s and the current one is already expired (OPT) on July 15th 2023. I am applying for marriage-based green card soon. \r Do I need to maintain my status while waiting for green card?\r Since I have like 20 copies of the I-20s, should I include all of them in the packet? Is a copy okay, or does it need to be the original one?\r Thank you so much for your time. I am looking forward to your response.
Kseniya, if possible please help me with this question, I’m really confused: I sent my I-130/ I-130a online one month ago, and now I want to send my packet for AOS. I already have the medical exam. Do you think can be a problem if I do send my AOS with the I-130 notice receipt, after 1 month of the I-130 be filled? I’m not sure if I can still do it because this 1 month a part, please I’ll be super happy if you can help me with this! Thank you 💕
I have 2 questions though: 1 – Question 17 “If you have ever violated you nonimmigrant status” – If it should be yes or no, since I’ve overstayed. I’m filing as a family member of a US citizen. 2: USCIS recommends to send the medical together with the packet of I-485 to avoid delay. But if they send an RFE, example for taxes/revenue, would they disregard the medical form I’ve already sent because my packet was already open or would they approve it since it is now valid for 2 years?
My husband lives abroad and I’m a US citizen. He has never been to the US before.. I was told that I do not have to include an I-485 document since he doesn’t live in the US. is this correct? So then I would just file the i-130 and i-130A online only? What documents come after?… when should I include the background report and medical exam in my packet? .. do you have a article of what documents to file when spouse is abroad?
Hey, I am currently on a j1 visa and I have to leave in 1 month (when my visa expires) but I just got married, is it too late to start filling everything or if it gets past my visa stay I can still get the green card thing? I am so stressed now I don’t know what to do, mostly I want to know if I can do it even if I have 1 more month of staying here.
hi Kseniya, would you know if a family member will be able to stay in the US, once their concurrent application is submitted and their visitor Visa happens to expire? In this senario, would we just need a ‘notice of receipt’ of the concurrent I-130/I-485 applications in order for the family member to remain in the country legally even if their visitor visa expired? Thanks in advance for your response!
Hi! So I just got my EAD/AP. And USCIS just sent Request for evidence for my medical exam. Is it safe to travel internationally for a couple of days? My action notice letter says I can travel but it’s never guaranteed that the border officer will let me back in. I want to travel to Mexico for a couple of days by land.