How to get a green card through marriage?
citizen
- Establishing the marriage relationship ( Form I-130 ): 8-11 months*
- Applying for the green card ( National Visa Center application ): 1-2 months
- Interview and approval: 1-2 months (but can be longer)
How can I obtain a green card through marriage?
To be eligible for a Green Card through marriage, you must show USCIS four things:
- Your marriage is legal. ...
- You are married to a U.S. ...
- Married to a U.S. ...
- Married to a Lawful Permanent Resident. ...
- Your marriage is legitimate. ...
- Neither of you is married to anyone else. ...
How do you apply for a marriage visa?
How do I apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa? Provided you meet the eligibility requirements, you apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa on the Home Office website. You will be required to explain, amongst other things, the purpose of your intended visit, together with details of your fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner and your future plans together.
How to sponsor a spouse to USA?
In order to sponsor your spouse or family member, you need to earn 21 green card documents every year. Assumes that U.S. sponsors – the Department of Veterans Affairs are involved. Citizens or current residents of the USA who do not have active military ...
How long does it take to get a marriage visa approved?
Average time - Between five and 14.5 months to get a Form I-130 petition (Petition for Alien Relative) approved by USCIS as of early 2022; another six to 11 months or longer to get an immigrant visa to come to the United States.
How long does it take to bring spouse to USA 2022?
Once USCIS approves Form I-130 for an American citizen, their spouse can apply for a visa, this process usually takes 3 to 5 months. In case of being a permanent resident, you will have to wait for your partner to have a visa number available with your priority date. This usually takes about 24 months.
What is the fastest way to bring my spouse to USA?
Historically, family reunification has been the easiest and fastest way of bringing your loved ones to the United States.
Which is faster spouse or fiancé visa?
Application Process and Timeline for Fiancé(e) and Spousal Visa. If your main goal is to get to the U.S. as quickly as possible, then the K-1 fiancé(e) visa is likely the fastest option. But if your goal is to get an actual green card as soon as possible, then a marriage-based visa will be quicker.
How long does it take to bring fiancé to USA 2022?
approximately 9 to 12 monthsHow long does a fiance visa take? As of March 2022, K-1 visa processing took approximately 9 to 12 months (USCIS time to process Form I-129F).
How long does it take for a green card holder to sponsor a spouse 2022?
Processing time for an application like this is usually 7-14 months, if not longer. You must submit both Form I-130 and Form I-1485, Petition to Adjust Status, to adjust the visa status of your spouse. Once the application is submitted, your spouse will be a legal U.S. resident.
How long does it take for a U.S. citizen to file for a spouse?
As long as there are no delays or complicating factors: A spouse of a permanent resident's immigration processing time is about 24 to 36 months on average from start to finish. A spouse of a U.S. citizen's Green Card processing time today averages about 12-18 months.
How long does it take for USCIS to approve I-130 for spouse?
between 7.5-13.5 monthsHow long does the I-130 petition process take? For immediate relatives (spouse, unmarried child under 21 or parent) of a U.S. citizen living abroad, the wait times for Form I-130 are currently between 7.5-13.5 months.
How long does it take to get a green card for a spouse?
This will kick off the marriage-based green card timeline which would take anywhere between 7-10 months once USCIS has everything they need. If USCIS sends you a “Request for Evidence” (RFE) it means that further evidence and/or information is required to complete processing.
How long does it take for a divorce to be processed?
As soon as everything is ready, it will usually take 3-5 months for the case to be forwarded to the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the spouse’s country of residence. Once the case is ready for processing, the spouse will have to pay for processing fees and a financial support form fee.
How long does it take for a spouse to get a biometrics appointment?
Usually one month after your filing, the USCIS will request for the spouse for a routine biometrics appointment, this is an administrative step for background and security checks. The appointment will be scheduled at the most convenient USCIS office to your location.
Where do I transfer my alien relative case?
Once you have filed your Petition for Alien Relative along with the supplementary I-130A, the USCIS office will transfer the case to the National Visa Center (NVC). Once a handover is completed from the USCIS to NVC, they will start gathering the necessary forms and documentation to decide if the spouse seeking a green card is eligible for an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
How long does a spouse have to be married to get a green card?
This is required so that the actual physical green card can be mailed to your address in the United States. If you have been married for less than two years at the time of issuance of the green card, then your spouse will receive a “conditional green card”, which expires in two years.
How long does it take for a NVC to make a decision?
Once all information is gathered, the NVC will take 1-2 months to make a decision.
What is a fingerprint appointment?
Fingerprinting Appointment: In most cases, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will request for a conduct background and security check. The beneficiary will be informed of the procedure or any special instructions.
How long does it take for USCIS to process a petition?
Within two to three weeks of submitting the form, the USCIS will send the petitioner (U.S. citizen) notice of receipt to confirm that it has received the petition. The USCIS will review the form and may also notify the petitioner if they need additional information and documentation to process the petition.
How long does it take to get married on a K-1 visa?
Has the K-1 visa been issued? At this point, the foreign fiancé (e) is able to enter the U.S. and has 90 days from the point of arrival to get married to the U.S. sponsor. From there the foreign-born spouse can prepare for an adjustment of status to permanently work and live in the country.
What is a fiancé visa?
Fiancé (e) visas are issued to the fiancé (e) of a citizen in order for them to enter into the country and subsequently get married. In order to establish this classification, the U.S. citizen in the relationship must file an I-129 Petition for Relative or Fiancé (e) with USCIS.
What is the I-129F form?
The form must be submitted along with all required supporting documents. I-129F form is used to establish the relationship between the U.S. citizen and the foreign fiancé ( e).
How long does it take to get an I-129F?
Both the receipt of notice and adjudication of the I-129F form takes around 5-7 months. However, it could be longer, especially if the petition is not filed correctly or there are certain missing items. It is best to pay attention to details when filing the form so you can avoid unnecessary delays.
How old do you have to be to marry?
The two of you must be legally eligible to marry in the United States. This means you both are at the legal age to marry, which is at least 18 years old. Also, there must be proof that neither of you is currently in a valid marriage to another person.
Can I get a fiancé visa if I'm already married?
This process can take several months for an i-130 approval and an additional year for an approved immigrant visa. Notice that these processes are in fact very different so you cannot apply for a fiancé (e) visa if you are already married. An immigration attorney can better explain your options if you’re in this situation.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Visa for My Spouse and Family Members?
Spouses and family members who are considered to be in the immediate relative category usually obtain their visas within 5-12 months of submitting their applications.
How long does it take to get a green card if you live abroad?
For green card holders who live abroad — 23 to 32 months. Due to the lengthy wait times that are seen with obtaining a green card for a spouse, it is extremely important for applicants to begin the application as soon as possible. In so doing, the sooner an application is started the sooner an applicant may receive a green card.
What age can you get an immediate relative visa?
To be considered an immediate relative, the applicant must be your spouse or child. For children, the applicant must be under the age of 21 and they cannot be married.
What form do I need to fill out to sponsor my spouse?
As you are applying for your immediate family to immigrate to the U.S., you will have to fill out form I-864, Affidavit of Sponsorship. This affidavit states that you are the financial sponsor for your spouse and children and that you are able to adequately provide for their needs without the assistance from the U.S. government.
What are the two categories of immigrant visas?
government will use to classify your family members. These two categories are immediate relative and family preference immigrants , and they will determine the length of the process for obtaining a visa or green card.
What is the priority of immigration?
The special immigration priority of those who fit the immediate relative criteria is that of preferred immigrant status. This status allows for their immigration application to be processed quicker and offers a guaranteed visa instead of having to wait for the visa lottery (Diversity Immigrant Visa Program) like other visa applicants.
Can a spouse apply for a K-3 visa?
If you are a permanent resident, your spouse is not able to apply for a K-3 visa and will not be able to join you in the U.S. until they have received their visa or green card.
How long does it take to get married in the US?
Once the fiancé enters the United States, the marriage must take place within 90 days from the date of entry. But if you plan to apply for a green card, it's worth getting married early on during these 90 days, so that you'll have time to get the official marriage certificate and prepare your other paperwork for Adjustment of Status before the K-1 visa runs out.
How Long Will K-1 Visa Process Take From Start to Finish?
This entire process from date of filing of the petition till the transfer of the file to the U.S. consulate normally tends to take up to a year; and sometimes more. USCIS approval of the I-129F alone was taking anywhere from five to 23 months in late 2020, depending on which Service Center was handling the file.
What is a K-1 visa?
The fiancé visa (K-1) is issued to the fiancé of a U.S. citizen, allowing that person to enter the United States. Once the foreign fiancé enters the United States, he or she can marry the U.S. citizen and then, if desired, apply for a green card under the immediate relative category. The technical name for the process of applying for ...
How long does it take for a USCIS to process an I-797?
Once the petition is submitted, USCIS will review it for completeness. Assuming the citizen didn't forget to include something, he or she will, within a few weeks, receive a USCIS Form I-797 Notice of Action acknowledging receipt of the petition.
How to file an alien fiancé?
The U.S. citizen must start off the process by filing United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé, available for free download from the USCIS website.
What do I need to file an I-129F?
In addition to Form I-129F, the U.S. citizen will need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship and evidence of the courtship and meeting within the last two years. The citizen will also need to pay the petition fee. Once the petition is submitted, USCIS will review it for completeness.
Where does the NVC send the visa application?
Once the background checks are completed and the fiancé has filled out and returned the forms to the appropriate destination, the NVC transfers the file to the U.S. embassy or consulate having jurisdiction over the fiancé's place of residence.
Can I get same sex visa as opposite sex spouse?
Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140 petition from USCIS. ...
Can a spouse get a K-3 visa?
Nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) - It is important to note that application for the nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) who married a U.S. citizen must be filed and the visa must be issued in the country where the marriage took place. After the visa process has been completed, and the visa is issued, the spouse can travel to the United States to wait for the processing of the immigrant visa case. Two petitions are required: Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, and Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), Form I-129F. Learn more.
How long does it take to get a Social Security card?
address you designated on your application form, and should arrive approximately six weeks following your admission.
How long is an immigrant visa valid?
An immigrant visa is generally valid for six months from the issuance date.
Why are some visa applications delayed?
Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully. Sometimes the U.S. sponsor, or petitioner, cannot meet Affidavit of Support requirements. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer.
How old do you have to be to sponsor a spouse?
U.S. Sponsor Minimum Age Requirement. There is no minimum age for a U.S. sponsor (petitioner) to file a petition for a spouse. However, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a residence ( domicile) in the U.S. before you can sign the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864 or I-864EZ). This form is required for an immigrant visa for a spouse ...
How long does it take to remove conditional status?
You and your spouse must apply together to USCIS to remove the conditional status within the ninety days before the two-year anniversary of your spouse’s entry into the United States on his or her immigrant visa. The two-year anniversary date of entry is the date of expiration on the alien registration card (green card). See Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence Based on Marriage on the USCIS website.
How to file an alien relative petition?
The first step is to file a Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for your spouse (husband or wife) to immigrate to the United States. For instructions on how to file a petition, including where you should send the petition, see the USCIS website.
Where does the NVC send the visa application?
NVC then sends the file, containing the applicant’s petition and the documents listed above, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the applicant will be interviewed for a visa. The applicant, petitioner, attorney, and third-party agent, if applicable, will receive appointment emails, or letters (if no email address if available), containing the date and time of the applicant's visa interview along with instructions, including guidance for obtaining a medical examination.
