How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Marriage?
For spouses of US citizens living in the US, filing Form I-130 together with Form I-485 often leads to a green card in roughly one to two years, depending on the USCIS office and background checks. Spouses abroad go through consular processing instead. Spouses of green card holders may wait longer because of annual visa limits. Marriages under two years old receive a two-year conditional green card.
Marriage to a US citizen or green card holder is one of the most common paths to permanent residence. How long it takes depends on who you are married to and where you live.
Two main paths
| Situation | Process |
|---|---|
| Spouse of a US citizen, in the US after a lawful entry | File Form I-130 and Form I-485 (adjustment of status) together |
| Spouse of a US citizen, living abroad | I-130 approved by USCIS, then the National Visa Center and an interview at a US consulate (consular processing) |
| Spouse of a green card holder | I-130, then wait for a visa number in the F2A category of the Visa Bulletin before adjusting or consular processing |
Spouses of US citizens are "immediate relatives," so there is no annual cap and no waiting line for a visa number (USCIS). Spouses of permanent residents are subject to annual limits.
Typical steps when filing in the US
- File I-130 and I-485 together, usually with Form I-864 (affidavit of support), the medical exam (I-693), and optionally I-765 (work permit) and I-131 (travel document).
- Biometrics appointment for fingerprints and photos.
- Interview at a USCIS field office, where the officer evaluates whether the marriage is genuine. Some cases are approved without an interview.
- Decision and card production.
Processing times change often and differ by office; check the USCIS processing times tool for your form and office.
Costs
Under the current USCIS fee schedule, Form I-130 costs $675 on paper ($625 online) and Form I-485 costs $1,440 for most adults (USCIS G-1055). Additional costs include the medical exam and, optionally, work and travel permits. Fees change, so always check before filing.
Conditional vs. 10-year green card
If you have been married for less than two years when your green card is approved, you receive a two-year conditional green card. You must jointly file Form I-751 to remove the conditions during the 90 days before it expires (8 U.S.C. 1186a). If married more than two years at approval, you receive a 10-year card.
Proving a real marriage
USCIS looks for evidence such as a joint lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, shared bills, insurance, photos together over time, and affidavits from people who know you. Our marriage green card documents checklist lists what to gather.
Things that can cause delays or denials
Prior immigration violations, criminal records, missing documents, an insufficient affidavit of support, or inconsistent answers at the interview. Entering the US without inspection usually prevents adjusting status in the US; see parole in place.
An immigration lawyer can check eligibility before you file. After three years as a resident married to a citizen, see how to apply for citizenship.
Sources
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This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws differ by state and change over time; talk to a licensed attorney in your state about your situation.