What happens if you marry someone so they can get a green card?

Because marriage is a relatively easy route to permanent residence, USCIS grants conditional permanent residence for two years. After two years, you will need to file Form I-751 to remove the conditions of residence and to get a permanent green card.

Can you marry someone so they can get green card?

The first step to qualify for a green card through marriage is to marry a US citizen of lawful permanent resident. The marriage must take place before any immigration paperwork is filed. Must be a valid marriage: The marriage must be legally valid and recognized in the place where the marriage took place.

How long after marriage can you get a green card?

The current total wait time for a marriage-based green card averages about 9-11 months (Boundless updates these figures monthly, based on analysis of USCIS data).

What happens when a U.S. citizen marries a non U.S. citizen?

When you marry a non-U.S. citizen, it can have immigration implications. Depending on the specific circumstances, the non-U.S. citizen spouse may be eligible to apply for immigration benefits, such as a green card, through the family-based immigration process.

What can I do if my husband married me for a green card?

If your spouse has already received the ten-year green card, there is little else you can do besides "turn him in" for marriage fraud. You may report your suspicion that you were an innocent victim of a scam to USCIS or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

How to get your Green Card if you are married to a Green Card holder

Will my husband lose his green card if I divorce him?

If you divorce and you have a permanent green card, there is typically no impact to the renewal process. When it comes time to renew your green card, you simply file Form I-90 (officially called “Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card”).

What happens if you marry a U.S. citizen and then divorce?

While your divorce may not affect your immigration status, it will affect the time you must wait before applying for your permanent resident status. Because you are no longer married, you will have to wait 5 years to apply, versus the 3 years if you were still married.

How long does it take to get a U.S. citizen after marrying?

The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States must have been living in marital union with his or her citizen spouse for at least 3 years immediately preceding the time of filing the naturalization application.

How long it takes for a U.S. citizen to bring his wife?

- The processing time for U.S. citizens filing Form I-130 for a spouse beneficiary ranges from 13-54.5 months. - The processing time for legal permanent residents filing Form I-130 for a spouse beneficiary ranges from 32-67.5 months.

How long does it take to get citizenship if you marry a U.S. citizen?

You can apply for U.S. citizenship after 3 years if you are a permanent resident (Green Card holder) and have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen spouse during that time. Otherwise, most Green Card holders must wait 5 years before applying for naturalization. Learn more.

What is the fastest way to get a green card?

What is the fastest you can get a green card? The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program offers one of the quickest routes to obtain a green card. But it's based on luck. Family-based visas for immediate relatives also offer faster paths, typically within 1-2 years.

How much does it cost to get a green card through marriage?

Marriage-based green card cost

The government filing fees for applying for a marriage-based green card is $1760 for a spouse living in the United States or $1200 for a spouse living outside the United States.

How much does a green card cost?

The government filing fee for a family-based green card is $1760 for an applicant applying from within the United States, and $1200 for an applicant living outside the United States.

What are the benefits of marrying a U.S. citizen?

Marrying a U.S. citizen allows you to file Form I-130 and I-485 together, a process known as concurrent filing, since there are no visa number limitations for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. I-485 processing time for family applications in 2023 can take between 12 and 37 months on average.

What are the consequences of marrying a foreigner?

Once you're married, you can apply to change the foreign spouse's status to permanent resident status, which is commonly referred to as having a “green card.” A green card gives someone the ability to live and work in the United States permanently.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for a green card through marriage?

You do not have to hire an immigration lawyer to apply for a marriage-based green card. More than half of all marriage-based green card applications are filed by individuals who do not work with an attorney. You can definitely do it! In certain circumstances, having an immigration lawyer is essential.

How long does it take to get a green card if you are married in 2023?

Form I-485 (“Application for Adjustment of Status”): Family-based green card applications (in other words, immediate relatives or spouses of a U.S. citizen) for applicants filing from within the United States average 11.5 months.

How long does a green card last?

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years. It is important to keep your card up-to-date.

How hard is it to get a green card?

No matter how you attempt it, it's not easy to get a green card. The process of getting a green card can be very long and complicated. Doing it incorrectly could waste years and a lot of money. It also could expose you to deportation, criminal charges, and being barred from ever entering the US.

Can I lose my citizenship if I divorce?

Getting divorced may affect your immigration status, depending on what type of marriage green card you have. Divorce won't affect the status of people who have permanent green cards, but it can delay their application for naturalization.

Do you automatically become a citizen through marriage?

First, let's get one important thing straight: Marriage to a U.S. citizen makes someone eligible for U.S. lawful permanent residence (a "green card"), not for U.S. citizenship. (At least, not in the short term.) Having a green card for a certain number of years can make the person eligible for U.S. citizenship.

What is the 90 day rule for marriage?

To tackle this problem, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS designed the 90-day rule, stating that temporary visa holders who marry a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident or apply for a green card within 90 days upon arrival in the U.S. will be presumed to have violated the terms of ...

What is the 5 year remarry rule?

There are laws guiding lawful permanent residents applying to adjust status or sponsor a new spouse. If the marriage through which you obtained permanent residence has ended and you want to marry another. The green card holder spouse needs to wait at least five years before petitioning after they got their green card.

Can you become a U.S. citizen by marrying one?

Marrying a US citizen does not itself provide citizenship. It may make you eligible for permanent resident status (a “green card”) as the “immediate relative” of your spouse (that's how I got mine) but if you already have a permanent resident visa, it does not provide a direct benefit.

Can my wife stay in the U.S. while waiting for green card?

Can My Spouse Come to the United States to Live While the Visa Petition Is Pending? If you are a U.S. citizen, once you file Form I-130, your spouse is eligible to apply for a nonimmigrant K-3 visa. This will entitle him or her to come to the United States to live and work while the visa petition is pending.