Apply for a U.S. Green Card Through Marriage Application

Green Card through Marriage

Eligible U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents may sponsor a qualifying spouse for a Green Card. Requirements and procedures vary based on whether the U.S. Sponsor is a Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident. In addition, the application process, including the agencies involved, fees, forms and waiting periods, varies depending on whether the foreign spouse is inside the U.S. or outside the U.S. at the time the application is made.

U.S. Citizens are eligible to sponsor their spouses as "Immediate Relatives," which means that the foreign applicant can apply for a Green Card without having to wait for a visa number to become available.

Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents, on the other hand, must wait for a visa number to become available before they are eligible to apply for a Green Card. The waiting time for a visa number to become available can last for years, and varies based on the foreign spouse's country of nationality. Applicants from China, Philippines and India generally have to wait longer than applicants from other countries to apply for a Green Card.

In some cases, it may be to a couple's advantage to pursue a K-1 fiancé visa before getting married. In other cases, applicants may find that it is more cost effective to get married abroad and then apply for an immigrant visa overseas. In many cases, the K-1 visa application process takes just as long as the immigrant visa process. Deciding which course of action is appropriate in your case involves balancing such considerations as when and where you plan to get married and what the processing times are at the consulate with jurisdiction over your application.

The process of sponsoring a spouse for Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card) status involves a significant investment in time and money. Mistakes and miscalculations can prolong your separation from your loved one and result in hundreds or thousands of dollars in unforeseen fees.

Give yourself the tools you need to make the most informed decisions about sponsoring your spouse for a Green Card: Find out how the process works, including how long you can expect the process to take and whether or not you have any options to accelerate the time you must wait for a visa number to become available. Weigh the pros and cons of applying for a Green Card from inside the U.S. or applying at a Consulate abroad. Click here to get all the information you need to successfully get through this complicated process.

The Green Card through Marriage e-kit contains:

• A detailed overview of the application process
• How to apply for a Green Card from inside the U.S.
• How to apply for a Green Card from outside the U.S.
• All of the necessary application forms and guidance on how to complete the forms accurately and completely
• All you need to know about travel restrictions while your application is pending
• How to get work authorization and permission to travel while your application is pending
• How to remove the Conditions on Residence after you get your Green Card