Green Card Guide: Living in the U.S. and Married to a U.S. Citizen

The Basics

This guide is for married couples where both spouses live in the United States and the sponsoring spouse is a U.S. citizen.

If you haven’t already, first make sure to read our general overview of the marriage-based green card process, explained in plain language. If you have, great! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of applying for a spouse visa (marriage-based green card) step by step.

How long does it take to get a spousal green card? 8-11 months for application processing, plus 1-2 months to schedule the interview) (more details on timing)

What is the estimated cost of a spousal green card? $1,960 ($1,760 in government fees + $200 for medical exam) (more details on cost)

Not sure if you’re eligible to apply for a green card for a spouse? You can check your eligibility through Boundless without providing any personal information. When you’re ready to apply, Boundless can guide you through every milestone of the marriage-based green card process, starting with your Form I-130 all the way to the finish line. Learn more, or get started today.

Step 1: Green Card Application

If you both live in the United States and the sponsoring spouse is a U.S. citizen, you’re in luck! You can save time by combining two parts of the process in one “concurrent filing” that you send in a single package to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government agency that handles these applications:

Establishing the marriage relationship (Form I-130, officially called the “Petition for Alien Relative”)
Applying for the green card (Form I-485, officially called the “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status”)

Attending your green card interview

Once USCIS has completed all the background processing of your visa application materials, your file is transferred to your nearest USCIS field office. This local office will then send you an appointment notice with the time, date, and location of an interview that both spouses must attend.

This interview is the last big step in the application process, and it’s normal to feel intimidated and stressed by this part – most couples do. But don’t worry! You can help reduce the stress by knowing what to expect and assembling an organized file to bring to your interview. Check out these resources for more details:

A USCIS officer will conduct the interview. If they’re sufficiently convinced that you and your spouse married “in good faith” – that is, your marriage https://hookupdate.net/cs/blackpeoplemeet-recenze/ is not fraudulent (see our guide to proving your marriage is authentic) – they may approve your spousal visa application on the spot. It’s important to understand all the possibilities, though.

Receiving your spousal visa (green card)

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.

The type of green card you receive will depend on how long you and your spouse have been married at the time of visa approval:

If you’ve been married for less than two years

Your green card will be marked “CR1” for “conditional green card.” This type of green card is valid for only two years, at which point you and your spouse must jointly file another form to “remove the conditions” – giving USCIS one more opportunity to make sure that the marriage is authentic – and then get a permanent green card.

If you’ve been married for more than two years

Your green card will be marked “IR1” for “immediate relative green card.” This green card (also called a “permanent green card”) is valid for 10 years, and renewal is typically a simple process.

Boundless makes it easy to complete your green card application by turning all the required government forms into simple questions you can answer online – typically in under two hours, compared with days or weeks the traditional way. You’ll also get an independent immigration attorney who will review your entire application package and answer your questions – for no additional fee. Ready to start? Check your eligibility now.