Do You Become A US Citizen If You Marry A US Citizen?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do you become a US citizen if you marry a US citizen?

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. ().

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Does marrying a U.S. citizen 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, which can lead to U.S. citizenship. By Ilona Bray, J.D. If you marry a U.S, citizen, you won't be eligible for U.S. citizenship right away.

What happens if you marry an American 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.

How long does it take to get citizenship after marrying a U.S. citizen?

What is the benefit of marrying a U.S. citizen?


Ability to Apply for U.S. Citizenship

Earlier Than Most

There's yet another benefit to being married to a U.S. citizen: Three years from the date you become a permanent resident, you can apply for U.S. citizenship, so long as you remain married to and living with the citizen all the way up to the swearing-in ceremony.

Do you automatically get a green card when you marry a U.S. citizen?

The beneficiary, or person who is applying to receive a green card, is generally automatically eligible to receive a green card once they are lawfully married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

How long do you 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.

Can I marry a U.S. citizen and stay there?


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.

Can I marry a U.S. citizen if I overstay my visa?

Her visa had expired years ago. U.S. 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.

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.

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 do I become a U.S. permanent resident through marriage?

  1. Submit Form I-130 and supporting documents.
  2. Submit your Green Card application (Form I-485 or Form DS-260)
  3. Attend your Green Card Interview and receive your Green Card.

How much does it cost to get citizenship 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.

Can you go to jail for marrying someone for a green card?

An individual will be charged with marriage fraud if they entered into a marriage for the purpose of evading U.S. immigration law.

This felony offense carries a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000

, and applies to both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens who perpetrate this crime.

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).

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.

How can I stay in the U.S. legally?

The largest group to enter the U.S. by far comes by way of

family-based immigration

. U.S. citizens and legal residents can bring foreign spouses or fiances, as well as unmarried children. They may also sponsor siblings 21 or older and parents. Another way is through a work visa.

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

.

Can you go to jail for overstaying your visa?

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.

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

An immigrant who has been married to and living with a U.S. citizen has to wait only three years after getting a green card to become a naturalized citizen. After your divorce, however,

you will no longer qualify for this exception, and will have to wait the usual five years before becoming a U.S. citizen

.

Can my husband cancel my green card?

Can you get deported for adultery?

What happens if you divorce before 2 years?

But if you divorce (or your marriage is annulled) before the two years have passed and you want to continue to live in the U.S.,

filing this petition jointly with your spouse will be impossible

. You will still need to submit Form I-751, but will have to include a request for a “waiver” of the joint filing requirement.

How do you get a 10 year green card through marriage?

Have you been married for more than two years? The spouse will receive an IR1 (or “immediate relative”) green card — a “permanent” green card that is valid for 10 years. In most cases,

renewing this 10-year green card is a simple process and does not require the couple to prove the authenticity of their marriage again

.

Do parents get citizenship through birth of their child in USA?


Only parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least age 21 are considered eligible to immigrate

. But the good news is, they will be considered “immediate relatives,” eligible for lawful permanent residence (a green card) right away, as soon as they can make it through the application process.

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.

Can I buy green card?

Apply for a Green Card

Find out if you're eligible. If you are eligible,

file Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS, including all supporting documents and fees

. USCIS will review your application and schedule an interview with you.

How do you get a 10 year green card through marriage?

How do I get a permanent green card after 2 years of marriage?

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.