How Long Does It Take To Get A Green Card Through Marriage To A U.S. Citizen?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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).

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

Requirements for the Beneficiary (Applicant Requirements) 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.

Is it easier to get a green card if you marry a U.S. citizen?

You will be eligible for an immigrant visa and green card in either case. Nevertheless, marrying a U.S. citizen is definitely the faster path to a green card, as described below.

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.

How long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2020?

Average time – Seven to 32 months to get a Form I-130 petition (Petition for Alien Relative) approved by USCIS as of early 2021; another six to ten months or longer to get an immigrant visa to come to the United States.

How can I get a green card fast in USA?

  1. Marriage to U.S. Citizen. This is the fastest way to immigrate. ...
  2. Immigration through family reunification. Immigration through family reunification can take from nine months up to five years. ...
  3. Political Asylum in the USA. ...
  4. Immigration of extraordinary ability people. ...
  5. Investment immigration.

How long does green card process take?

In most cases, it takes about two years for a green card to become available, and the entire process takes around three years .

Can I stay in US while waiting for green card?

Any immigrant who entered the U.S. on some sort of temporary visa and then submitted a green card application (for U.S. lawful permanent or conditional residence) is allowed to remain in the United States while the application is “pending .” In other words, they can wait until their application has been decided upon by ...

Can I apply for 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. ... To qualify, you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for the three years immediately preceding the date you file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

How much is a green card through marriage?

Marriage-Based Green Card Cost

The government filing fees for applying for a marriage-based green card is $1,760 for a spouse living in the United States or $1,200 for a spouse living outside the United States. Note, this does not include the cost of the medical examination, which varies from roughly $200 to $500.

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 long does it take to bring my wife to USA?

U.S. Citizen Spouse Green Card processing time currently averages around 12-18 months . Green Card Holder Spouse Green Card processing time currently averages around 24-36 months.

What happens when a U.S. citizen marries a non U.S. citizen?

An immigrant who marries a U.S. citizen must apply for a green card (U.S. permanent residence). This is a long process involving many forms and documents. ... After successfully obtaining a green card, the immigrant spouse can, after three years as a permanent resident, apply for U.S. citizenship.

How long does it take for I-130 to be approved for spouse?

For immediate relatives (spouse, parent, or child) of a U.S. green card holder (legal permanent resident), processing times for Form I-130 currently vary between 13.5 and 19 months . For immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen, I-130 processing times currently average 15 to 20 months (as of June 7, 2021).

How long does fiance visa take 2021?

It takes 5 – 7.5 months on average (as of October 2021) for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process Form I-129F (technically called the “Petition for Alien Fiancé”), and an additional 3-4 weeks to receive instructions from the National Visa Center (NVC) to continue the process.

How hard is it to get a green card through marriage?

Because marriage is a relatively easy route to permanent residence, USCIS grants conditional permanent residence for two years . After two years, you will need to file Form I-751 to remove the conditions of residence and to get a permanent green card.

How much is US green card?

How much does it cost to apply for a green card? The government filing fees for getting a family-based green card is $1,760 for an applicant living in the United States or $1,200 for an applicant living outside the United States.

Will I lose my citizenship if I divorce?

Divorce Makes Applicants Ineligible to Apply for Citizenship in Three Rather Than Five Years. ... You have to remain married up until you actually get your citizenship, and you have to be living with your spouse three years before filing your citizenship application to qualify for early citizenship.

What is the fastest way to get US citizenship?

  1. Hold a green card for three years;
  2. Be married to and living with your US citizen spouse for three years;
  3. Live within the state that you’re applying in for three months; and.
  4. Meet all other requirements for US citizenship.

How do you make my wife a US citizen?

Most permanent residents must live in the United States for a minimum of five years before applying for citizenship. However, the spouse of a U.S. citizen who resides in the United States may be eligible to file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization , on the basis of his or her marriage after just three years.

How much does it cost to become a US citizen 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 .

What is the 4 year 1 day rule for U.S. citizenship?

The 4 year 1 day rule mostly works as follows. Once you’ve broken continuous residency, a new period will begin to run on the first day you return to the U.S. Form the day you must stay in the U.S. for a minimum of 4 years and 1 day before you can apply for naturalization again .

How long does a green card last?

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.

Do you get paid for marrying an immigrant?

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, INA Section 204(c), if a marriage takes place to evade United States immigration laws, it’s a sham marriage. ... A U.S. citizen is either paid or charges money to marry someone from outside the country and get him/her a green card.

Can I stay in America if I marry an American?

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).

How long do you have to be married to get 10 years green card?

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.

How long does spouse visa take?

Your physical spouse visa (also called a “green card” because of its color) will arrive by mail, typically within two to three weeks of approval . The green card entitles you to work anywhere in the United States and take international trips without separate work and travel permits.

How long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2022?

As soon as everything is ready, it will usually take 3-5 months for the case to be forwarded to the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the spouse’s country of residence. Once the case is ready for processing, the spouse will have to pay for processing fees and a financial support form fee.

Can my husband Cancel my 10 years green card?

To answer your question, no. Your husband cannot take your green card from you . He cannot have you deported, remove your lawful permanent resident status, etc. If you get a divorce, your immigration status will not be impacted since you have a full ten-year green card.

Can I cancel my husband 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. Therefore, only the Home Office has the power and authority to cancel your spouse visa or to make you leave the UK.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.