How can a U.S. citizen get a green card through marriage?

With a K-1 visa, the fiancé of a U.S. citizen may enter the United States for the purpose of marriage. At that point, the spouse may get a green card through marriage. U.S. citizens may file Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, to start the process for a K-1 visa.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on citizenpath.com


How long does it take to get a green card if you marry a U.S. citizen?

If your spouse is a U.S. citizen and you currently live in the United States, it takes on average 21-38 months to get a marriage-based green card. Spouses of U.S. citizens living in the United States can file their I-130 and their I-485 at the same time.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


How long does it take to get a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen 2021?

If you're the spouse applying for a marriage based green card and living outside the U.S., while your spouse is a U.S. citizen, then you'll apply through a USCIS procedure called “Consular Processing“. Total estimated time: The estimated time to receive your green card will be from 11-17 months.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on self-lawyer.com


How do you get a green card after marrying a U.S. citizen?

How do I get a marriage green card?
  1. Marriage-Based Green Card Timeline.
  2. Marriage-Based Green Card Cost.
  3. Establish the marriage relationship (Form I-130)
  4. Apply for the green card (Form I-485 or Form DS-260)
  5. Attend the green card interview and await approval.
  6. What's next?
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


Does marriage automatically give you a green card?

Green card marriages are some of the most scrutinized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It's important to get it right. Permanent residence is not automatic after marriage. You and your spouse must follow a specific application process.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on citizenpath.com


Green Card through Marriage to US Citizen Process Explained (2020-2021)



Can you stay in the US while waiting for marriage green card?

In most cases, spouses who are eligible to adjust status prefer to do so. It allows the foreign spouse to stay in the United States while waiting for the marriage green card.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on citizenpath.com


How long do you need to stay married for green card?

When you obtain a green card through marriage, it will either be a permanent renewable green card that is valid for ten years or a conditional two-year green card. The conditional green card is issued to applicants that have been married for less than two years at the time the green card is issued.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


What are the benefits of marrying a U.S. citizen?

If you are married to a U.S. citizen, you will enjoy many benefits, but also face a few inconveniences.
  • No Annual Limit on Visas. ...
  • Long Wait for Government Processing of Applications. ...
  • Possibility to Adjust Status After Legal U.S. Entry. ...
  • First Two Years of Residence Are Likely to Be Conditional.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on alllaw.com


What happens after you marry a U.S. citizen?

Once you marry, your spouse can apply for permanent residence and remain in the United States while we process the application. If you choose this method, file a Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). Filing instructions and forms are available on our Web site at www. uscis.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uscis.gov


Can I apply for citizenship after 2 years of marriage?

Who Qualifies For Citizenship? All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years (known as the “three-year rule”).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


How much does it cost to file for green card through marriage?

Cost Of Applying For A Marriage Based Green Card In The U.S. As of February 2021, the cost of applying for a marriage-based green card in the United States is $1760. However, it is important to note that these fees may be subject to change.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on committocitizenship.org


What happens if you overstay your visa and get married?

If you overstay your visa for less than 180 days, you may leave the U.S. and apply for a Green Card through consular processing. If your overstay has been more than 180 days, the only option is to wait for your spouse to become a U.S. citizen and then apply for I-485 Adjustment of Status inside the U.S.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dygreencard.com


How can I get a green card fast?

There are several quick ways to achieve that goal.
  1. Marriage to U.S. Citizen. This is the fastest way to immigrate. ...
  2. Immigration through family reunification. ...
  3. Political Asylum in the USA. ...
  4. Immigration of extraordinary ability people. ...
  5. Investment immigration.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on business-visa-usa.com


Can I lose my green card if I get divorced?

The vast majority of green card holders are mostly unaffected by a divorce. If you are already a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year green card, renewing a green card after divorce is uneventful. You file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to renew or replace the green card.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on citizenpath.com


Does marrying a U.S. citizen make you a citizen?

by Michelle Kaminsky, Esq. Naturalization is the process by which a non-citizen becomes the citizen of a country. One way to get citizenship in the United States is to marry a U.S. citizen. However, it's not as easy as filling out a couple of forms.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on legalzoom.com


Can I divorce after green card?

If you already have a green card and are a permanent resident at the time of the divorce, the divorce should not change your status. However, the divorce may force you to wait longer to apply for naturalization. In this case, you would need to wait five years, rather than three.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on peoples-law.org


What is the three year rule for citizenship?

3 Years of Continuous Residence. The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States must have continuously resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uscis.gov


What happens if a U.S. citizen marries a foreigner?

The foreign partner applying for the fiancé visa must marry their U.S. citizen partner within 90 days of entering the United States, or they will be forced to leave the country. After marrying in the United States, you will file Form I-485, which will require biometrics and possibly an interview.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


How long is the process for residency through marriage?

The current total wait time for a marriage-based green card ranges between 9 to 36 months, depending on whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder and where you currently live (not including possible delays).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


Can you lose citizenship after divorce?

Depending on your circumstance, a divorce may affect your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen even with a green card. When you file to become a citizen, the USCIS will review your immigration file in its entirety. They may find the timing of your divorce to be suspicious.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sutherlandfamilylaw.com


Who gets a 10 year green card?

If you got your residency through your employer or your parent or adult child or brother or sister you will be issued the regular 10-year card. Also if you get residency through marriage and have been married more than two years at the time you are granted then you also will get the regular 10-year card.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on formanlaw.net


Can I marry a U.S. citizen on a tourist visa?

Can I Marry A US Citizen on A Tourist Visa? The short answer is: yes, you can get married in the US while on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or on a visa waiver program. There is nothing in the regulations that say individuals who are in the US as visitors cannot get married.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on visapro.com


What documents do we need for a marriage green card?

The documents needed to apply for a green card through marriage
  • Birth certificate.
  • Marriage certificate.
  • Financial documents.
  • Proof of sponsor's U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.
  • Proof of lawful U.S. entry and status, if applicable.
  • Police clearance certificate, if applicable.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


Which state is easiest to get a green card?

Best 5 States to Immigrate to in the US
  • California. With the largest numbers of immigrants living in the US, California is one of the best states to go with your dream card. ...
  • New York, New York. ...
  • Montgomery Country, Maryland. ...
  • Washington State. ...
  • New Haven, Connecticut.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on usdvexperts.com


Can I buy a green card?

If you are currently in the United States, an immigrant visa is immediately available to you as an EB-5 immigrant investor, and you meet certain other requirements, you may file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uscis.gov
Previous question
Do all cards have tap to pay?