The Marriage Green Card Checklist: What You Need to Know

Eligibility Assessment: Before you begin the application process, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. You must be legally married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meet other requirements.
File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative: The first step is for the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the immigrant spouse. This form establishes the qualifying relationship. Include all required supporting documents, such as proof of marriage, birth certificates, and passport-style photos.
Pay Filing Fees: Pay the filing fee for Form I-130, which is $535.
Wait for Form I-130 Approval: USCIS will review the I-130 petition and, if approved, will send a Notice of Approval. This process may take several months, and processing times can vary.
Choose Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or Consular Processing: After Form I-130 is approved, the immigrant spouse can choose to adjust their status to permanent resident in the United States by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, or go through consular processing if they are outside the U.S.
File Form I-485 (if in the U.S.): If adjusting status within the U.S., file Form I-485 along with all required supporting documents, including the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), medical examination results, and any additional requested documentation.
Pay Filing Fees (Form I-485): Pay the filing fee for Form I-485, which typically includes the application fee and biometrics fee. The fees can vary, so check the USCIS website for the most current fee information.
Biometrics Appointment: Attend a biometrics appointment if required. USCIS will schedule this appointment to collect fingerprints, photographs, and other biographic information.
Attend Marriage Green Card Interview: USCIS may schedule an interview with both the U.S. citizen sponsor and the immigrant spouse to verify the authenticity of the marriage and assess eligibility for the Green Card. Be prepared to provide original documents and answer questions about your relationship.
Receive the Green Card: If your application is approved, USCIS will send the immigrant spouse their Green Card in the mail.

Marriage Green Card – How Much Does it Cost

The cost of obtaining a Marriage Green Card, officially known as a U.S. Permanent Resident Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, can vary depending on several factors. Below are are some of the key expenses associated with the Marriage Green Card application process:

Filing Fee (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative): the filing fee for Form I-130 is $535. However, USCIS fees can change over time, so it’s essential to check the most current fee schedule on the USCIS website or consult with an immigration attorney for the latest information.
Filing Fee (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status): The filing fee for Form I-485 is $1,140 (plus an additional $85 biometrics fee) for most applicants.
Affidavit of Support Fee (Form I-864): The sponsoring U.S. citizen or permanent resident will need to submit an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) to demonstrate financial responsibility for the immigrant spouse. There is no filing fee for this form, but the sponsoring spouse will need to meet specific income requirements.
Medical Examination and Vaccination Costs: As part of the application process, the immigrant spouse will typically need to undergo a medical examination by an approved USCIS civil surgeon. The cost of the medical examination can vary.
Other Costs: There may be additional costs associated with obtaining supporting documents, such as obtaining certified copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, translations, and other required documentation.
Attorney Fees: Many individuals choose to hire an immigration attorney to assist with the application process. Attorney fees can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case and the location.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage Based Green Card?

The processing time for obtaining a Marriage-Based Green Card can vary widely depending on several factors, including the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) processing times, the service center handling your application, your location, and any potential complications or delays in your case. We can provide you with a general timeline for the marriage-based Green Card process. However, please note that processing times may have changed since then, and you should check the USCIS website or consult with an immigration attorney for the most current information.

Here’s a general breakdown of the process and its approximate timeframes:

Filing the Petition (Form I-130): The first step is for the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of their foreign spouse. As of my last update, USCIS processing times for Form I-130 varied but were typically several months, ranging from 9 to 15 months on average.
Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or Consular Processing: After the Form I-130 is approved, the immigrant spouse can either adjust their status to permanent resident in the United States by filing Form I-485 or go through consular processing if they are outside the U.S. The processing times for Form I-485 also vary but could take around 8 to 14 months on average. Consular processing timelines can vary depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate’s workload.
Biometrics Appointment: As part of the Form I-485 process, both the U.S. citizen sponsor and the immigrant spouse may be required to attend a biometrics appointment. This typically occurs a few months after filing.
Interview: USCIS may schedule an interview with the immigrant spouse and the sponsoring spouse to verify the authenticity of the marriage and assess eligibility for the Green Card. Interview scheduling times can vary but may take several months.
Green Card Approval: If the interview goes well, USCIS will approve the Green Card application, and the immigrant spouse will receive their Green Card in the mail. This could take a few months after the interview.