As long as you are in a genuine, legal marriage, there is no length requirement. Marrying a U.S. citizen is one of the fastest ways to get a green card. Even so, it typically takes one to two years for an immigrant to receive a marriage-based green card.
While it's possible to apply for a marriage-based green card without a lawyer, the stakes are high, and the process can be challenging. Hiring a lawyer who specializes in immigration law can greatly increase your chances of success and reduce the stress and uncertainty of the process.
Green Card Sponsorship Income Summary The minimum income for a household of 2 to sponsor a family member or spouse is $25,550 as of August 2024. Minimum income requirements are lower for active duty military members. The general income requirement is 125% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines or 100% for active duty military.
Getting a green card through marriage is a 3-step process: The U.S. citizen spouse establishes the marriage relationship by filing Form I-130. Apply for the green card through adjustment of status (Form I-485) if you're living in the U.S. or Form DS-260 if you're a foreign national living abroad.
The average processing time for Form I-130 is around 12 months. This estimate is based on analysis by Boundless partner Track My Visa Now, who tracks wait times in real time, giving the most up-to-date estimates for Form I-130 petitions filed today.
Required Documentation Birth certificate. Marriage certificate for the marriage to the U.S. citizen spouse. Divorce or death certificate(s) of any previous spouse(s) Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for 6 months or more since age 16.
Proof of relationship can include joint financial documents (bank statements, joint leases, etc.), photographs of the couple together, affidavits from friends and family attesting to the authenticity of the relationship, joint utility bills, joint insurance policies, travel itineraries, and any other relevant ...
An unmarried US citizen cannot petition for his/her partner to receive an immigrant visa and green card. A US citizen may petition only for his/her legally married spouse, children, parents, or siblings.
Marriage-based green cards are processed the quickest for candidates living in the United States and married to United States citizens. This is because the green card interview and approval take 1-2 months, while the application process takes 9-11 months.