Can You Stay In Us If You Marry A Green Card Holder?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you stay in us if you marry a green card holder? By Richard Link, J.D. When you marry someone who has lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. (a “green card”),

you can apply for permanent resident status, too

. if you're already in the U.S. and you're eligible under the rules, you can ask USCIS to adjust your status to permanent resident.

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How long does a green card holder have to stay married?

Green Card Types

When you obtain a green card through , 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.

What happens when a green card holder marries 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.

Can an immigrant stay in the US after getting married?

Can I get a work permit if I marry a green card holder?

Green Card Applicants


You can file your work permit request alongside your green card application, at no extra charge, if you're applying based on marriage or family ties to a U.S. citizen or green card holder

.

Can you divorce after getting 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.

Can you get divorce after getting 10 year 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 Services if they are already a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year green card.

How long does it take to get a green card through marriage to a permanent resident?

The current total wait time for a marriage-based green card ranges between

11 to 52 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).

How long do you have to be married to become a U.S. citizen?

Married to the U.S. citizen spouse at the time of filing the naturalization application; Living in marital union with the citizen spouse for

at least 3 years

at the time of filing the naturalization application; and.

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen through marriage?

This process can vary in length, but for most people, it will take

between 9 months and two years

. If you received your green card based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, you can usually apply to naturalize and become a U.S. citizen after three years from the date you received your green card.

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

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).

Can my wife cancel my green card?

Can I stay on green card forever?

A Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551)

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date,

most are valid for 10 years

. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years. It is important to keep your card up-to-date.

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.

Can I stay in the US if I get divorced?

While many people believe that if you are divorced and don't have permanent resident status you will automatically be deported, there are exceptions.

An immigration attorney may be able to help you file a waiver and remain in the United States if you can prove one of three exceptions to the deportation rule

.

Can my wife cancel my spouse visa?

The quick answer is that

your husband can't cancel your spouse visa

. That is because your spouse visa was issued by the Home Office and not by your husband or spouse.

Can marriage green card be denied?

There are some situations that can make you or your spouse categorically ineligible to obtain a green card. These situations include:

Certain criminal records

. Some (but not all) types of criminal records could make you or your spouse ineligible to apply for a green card.

Does marrying an American give you citizenship?

If you marry a U.S, citizen,

you won't be eligible for U.S. citizenship right away

. But you might become eligible for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), which can lead to U.S. citizenship.

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.

How much does it cost to get a 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. Here's a break down of the filing fee for a U.S. based applicant.

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

  • 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.

How long does it take for a green card holder to sponsor a spouse 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.

What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

Be able to read, write, and speak basic English; Demonstrate good moral character; Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government; Demonstrate a loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and.

What happens if I divorce before green card?

When you file for permanent resident status, you start your application process for getting a green card. If you get divorced before your interview takes place, then

the result will be based on your U.S. entry status

.

How can a marriage stop green card?

To remove conditions, you must

file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

. You cannot file Form I-90 to renew your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) if you are a conditional permanent resident.

Do you have to live together for a green card marriage?

I answered “yes” because

there is absolutely no legal requirement that you and your spouse have to be living together

in order for you to get a green card through a marriage-based immigration petition.

What is the new law for green card holders 2020?

3 New 2020 Green Card Laws

If you have a green card and don't identify yourself as an immigrant on your tax return or are out of the country for an extended period of time, the new rules mean that

your application for citizenship or a green card could be denied – and you could even be deported

.”

What are the benefits of U.S. citizenship vs green card?

As a United States citizen,

you will not need to renew the card proving your status as a lawful permanent resident every ten years

. What's more, you will no longer be required to carry your green card or proof of status with you on an everyday basis (although you will need a federal U.S. ID or passport when traveling).

What can green card holders not do?

What is the difference between 2 years and 10 years green card?

2-year Green Cards are conditional resident cards that are applied in situations of marriage or employment. 10-year Green Cards are permanent resident cards that can be acquired after the marriage has lasted two years and have proved the legitimacy of their marriage through evidence.

Can you buy a green card?

If an immigrant visa is immediately available to you and you are currently in the United States, you may be eligible to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country.

How long do you have to live in us to become a citizen?

What happens if you get divorced before green card?

USCIS may grant an exception in limited circumstances when the divorce or annulment is due to abuse, but these cases are rare, and the abuse must be well-documented. It's safe to say that in the vast majority of cases,

getting a divorce before your green card is issued will result in an automatic denial from USCIS

.

What happens if you marry a U.S. citizen and then divorce?

Couples Who Divorce After Two Years of Marriage

Generally, an immigrant who divorces a United States citizen after two or more years of marriage is

less likely to face deportation if you have already obtained a Green Card or permanent residency

.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.