How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen after 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”).
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How long does it take to become a resident after marrying a U.S. citizen?

The current total wait time for a marriage-based green card ranges between 11 to 56 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).
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Do you automatically become a citizen through marriage?

Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not guarantee a green card or U.S. citizenship. Applications for U.S. green cards through marriage are scrutinized carefully, because the government takes fraudulent marriage very seriously.
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Can you become a U.S. citizen by getting married?

If you remain married to and living with your U.S. husband for three years from the date of your approval for conditional residence, you can finally apply for U.S. citizenship (naturalization).
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What is the next step after marrying a U.S. citizen?

After you marry a U.S. citizen, you can apply for a green card. While USCIS is processing your application, you can apply for “advance parole,” which gives you permission to travel. Unless you have an emergency situation, USCIS will take two to three months to process your parole.
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How Soon After I Marry a US Citizen Can I Become a Citizen?



Can I apply for U.S. citizenship after 3 years of marriage?

Establishing Eligibility to File Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. As a permanent resident who is married to a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible for naturalization after just three years. This is a significant benefit (as it normally requires five years as a permanent resident before applying for citizenship) ...
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How long do I have to be married to get a green card?

USCIS will issue you a conditional Marriage Green Card if you have been married for less than 2 years at the time of your interview. You can apply for a permanent Marriage Green Card after two years of marriage. Check out this article for more information on how to apply for a Marriage Green Card.
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Can I stay in America if I marry an American?

A marriage green card allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder to live and work anywhere in the United States. A green card holder will then have “permanent resident” status until they apply for U.S. citizenship, if they choose to do so.
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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.
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Can I marry a U.S. citizen if I overstay my visa?

Her visa had expired years ago. U.S. immigration law provides that if an alien was inspected but overstayed their visa, their subsequent marriage to a United States citizen will “clean up” the overstay. That is, the spouse of a U.S. citizen can still adjust to lawful permanent resident status despite having overstayed.
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How long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2021?

Average time -- Five to 30 months to get the Form I-130 approved by USCIS; no time on the Visa Bulletin waiting list as of early 2022, and the rest depending on various complicated circumstances.
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What happens if you marry an American citizen?

After marrying a US citizen you will not immediately become eligible to apply for US citizenship. However, as the spouse of a US citizen, you will be classed as an “immediate relative” and, accordingly, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence, or what is commonly known as a green card.
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Can I stay in U.S. 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.
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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.
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Can I apply for green card immediately after marriage?

When can I apply for a green card? You can start the process to obtain a green card immediately after you have evidence of a bona fide marriage. Yes, you will definitely need a photocopy of your marriage certificate. But you'll also need to prove that you have a genuine marriage.
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Which is faster fiancé visa or spouse?

Application Process and Timeline for Fiancé(e) and Spousal Visa. If your main goal is to get to the U.S. as quickly as possible, then the K-1 fiancé(e) visa is likely the fastest option. But if your goal is to get an actual green card as soon as possible, then a marriage-based visa will be quicker.
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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.
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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.
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Can I get divorce after 10 years green card?

How Divorce Affects Green Card Holders With 10-Year Green Cards. Green card holders are usually unaffected by a divorce when they file another application or petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services if they are already a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year green card.
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Can I get citizenship if I divorce?

Divorce Makes Applicants Ineligible to Apply for Citizenship in Three Rather Than Five Years. If you were hoping to get early citizenship after three years as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, understand that divorce will end that possibility.
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What is the fastest way to bring my spouse to USA?

Historically, family reunification has been the easiest and fastest way of bringing your loved ones to the United States.
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How can I get green card fast in USA?

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.
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Can you go to jail for overstaying your visa?

You may receive a “final order of removal” should the United States government realize you are unlawfully present. This edict requires you to leave the country within 90 days of its issuing. Ignoring or defying this order can lead to even greater consequences, including fines and up to 4 years of jail time.
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What happens if you get married on a tourist visa?

If an individual comes to the U.S. on a visitor visa and decides to get married, they may be allowed to apply for a green card under an adjustment of status. This is a process in which the visa status is adjusted from visitor visa to permanent resident.
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Can a deported person come back legally by marrying a citizen?

Can a deported person come back legally by marrying a citizen? Often yes (unless prior marriage fraud) after an immigrant petition approved and waiver(s) granted.
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