Are you a foreign national planning to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States? If so, one of the easiest ways is to get a Marriage Green Card. Whether you are married to a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident/Green Card holder, you can apply through a family-based immigration process. Keep in mind that obtaining this involves more than just submitting an application. Meeting the eligibility criteria, providing accurate documents, and demonstrating your marriage is genuine are also equally important. Missing necessary documentation or filing incorrect forms might delay your application or result in a Request for Evidence (RFE).
Read the blog below to learn more about the Marriage-based Green Card process, eligibility requirements, marriage green card requirements, and the steps in the application process.
Quick Answer: A Marriage Green Card enables a spouse of a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder to permanently live and work in the United States. Application steps require meeting the eligibility requirements, submitting the necessary Marriage Green Card documents, completing the application, and attending an interview if needed. Processing time and costs vary based on your application method and individual case.
A Marriage Green Card is a family-based Permanent Resident Card issued to the eligible spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. It allows the foreign spouse to live and work permanently in the United States.
Depending on your circumstances, you can apply for a marriage-based Green Card through any one of the following ways:
Note: If your marriage is less than 2 years old when you receive permanent residence, you will be granted a Conditional Green Card valid for 2 years. If the marriage is more than 2 years old, you will be granted an Immediate Relative Green Card valid for 10 years.
Both the sponsoring spouse and the applicant must satisfy the following eligibility requirements.
These include:
Note: Two individuals living together do not qualify as a marriage for immigration purposes. The relationship must be legally recognized.
You must have the correct documents before applying for a Green Card through marriage. Exact documentation might vary based on whether you apply through Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing.
The following checklist covers all the necessary documents required.
Both spouses must have:
Provide the following to prove your marriage is valid and legal.
The sponsoring spouse must submit the following documents.
The forms listed below depend on where the applicant lives. This usually includes:
| Forms | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Form I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative |
| Form I-130A | Supplement information for the spouse beneficiary |
| Form I-485 | Adjustment of Status (if applying inside the US) |
| Form I-864 | Affidavit of Support |
| Form I-693 | Medical examination (when needed) |
| Form DS-260 | Immigrant visa application for applicants outside the US |
Depending on your situation, you may also need Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document), or Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence).
Note: USCIS or the National Visa Center might request additional documents based on your case. The required forms and evidence might vary depending on whether the applicant is applying from inside or outside the United States.
The application process depends on whether the foreign spouse is already in the United States or applying from abroad.
But the general process consists of the following steps.
Before you file your application, make sure:
To avoid delays in the application process, you must start with the correct eligibility assessment.
You must first file Form I-130 to establish the qualifying relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary.
After the petition gets filed, submit the necessary Marriage Green Card documents. These include:
One of the most common reasons for processing delays is incomplete or inconsistent documentation.
When applying through Adjustment of Status, USCIS might also schedule a biometric appointment.
USCIS will collect your:
These will be used to complete background and security checks before your application moves forward to the next process.
Many couples are required to attend an interview where an immigration officer verifies the information provided in the application.
Important topics include:
Answer all questions truthfully and make sure documents are organized and up to date.
USCIS or the US embassy or consulate will issue a decision based on your application, supporting evidence, and interview results.
Once the application is approved:
The processing time varies based on the sponsor's immigration status, application method, and current workload. It is also affected by incomplete applications, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), background checks, and interview scheduling.
| Sponsor | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| U.S. Citizen | 10–24 months |
| Lawful Permanent Resident | 12–36 months or longer |
To get the most accurate estimate, check the official USCIS processing time tool based on your form type and processing office.
Also Want to Know About Apostille Birth and Marriage Certificate India Check Now!Marriage Green Card cost depends on whether you apply from inside or outside the United States. Apart from the government filing fees, you might be required to pay fees for medical examination, passport photos, document translations, and other necessary services.
Note: Fees might change at any time. Hence, you must check the latest fee schedule before submitting your Marriage Green Card application.
Many applications face delays or denials simply because a few important details were overlooked.
Here is a list of common reasons for delays and denials.
Remember the following tips to improve your chances for a smooth application process.
Stop worrying about delays. Apply now and get Indian Counsellor Services.
Chat NowCouples planning to live and work indefinitely in the United States must apply for a Marriage Green Card. The overall process involves various steps, such as understanding the requirements, preparing the required documentation, and carefully following the application process to avoid unnecessary delays and improve the chances of approval. Whether you apply through Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing, submitting complete and accurate information, providing strong evidence of a bona fide marriage, and responding promptly to USCIS requests
If you are facing any issues and require professional guidance with your Marriage Green Card application, you can contact the experts at the Visament. They can help you review your documents and complete application forms, guiding you through every stage of the process. Our team is committed to making your immigration journey simple and accurate.
Yes, you can. A legally valid marriage performed outside the US is usually recognized for immigration purposes. However, it should be valid in the country where it took place and must meet the US immigration requirements.
You will usually need a valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, proof of a genuine marriage, financial documents, immigration forms, and any additional documents requested by USCIS.
The processing time varies based on the applicant's location, the sponsor's immigration status, and current USCIS workload. Cases involving U.S. citizens are usually processed faster than those sponsored by Green Card holders.
If you are applying for Adjustment of Status in the United States, you might be eligible to apply for a work permit while your Marriage Green Card application is pending.
Yes, they do. In most cases, both spouses must attend the interview and answer questions about their relationship and the application.
If you are applying while staying in the United States, you must obtain travel authorization before leaving the country. Traveling without the required authorization might affect your application.
If this happens, USCIS will explain the reason for the denial. Depending on your case, you might be able to reappeal, file a motion, or submit a new application after resolving the issues.
Yes, they can. A lawful permanent resident can sponsor their spouse, although visa availability might result in a longer waiting period than for spouses of UIS citizens.
Vipul Jain is the Co-Founder of Visament, a trusted platform dedicated to simplifying Indian immigration, consular, and NRI services for applicants across the globe. With extensive expertise in OCI cards, Indian passport services, visa assistance, apostille and document legalization,... See Full Bio
Talk to our documentation experts for free guidance on your application.
When you visit a website, it may store data about you using cookies and similar technologies. Cookies can be important for the basic operations of the website and for other purposes. You get the option of deactivating certain types of cookies, even so, doing that may affect your experience on the website.
It is required to permit the basic functionality of the website. You may not disable necessary cookies.
Used to provide advertising that matches you and your interests. May also be used to restrict the number of times you see an advertisement and estimate the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. The advertising networks place them after obtaining the operator's permission.
Permits the website to recognize the choices you make (like your username, language, or the region you are in). Also provides more personalized and enhanced features.
Aid the website operator to determine how the website performs, how visitors interact with the site, and whether there are any technical issues.
