how many years filing for green card through marriage without lawyer

by Celestine Christiansen 10 min read

A spouse green card application currently takes between 10 months and 3 years, depending on your type of application. To see all the steps involved in the application process, and how long it takes, select the timeline applicable to your case:

Full Answer

What is the first step in filing a marriage-based green card?

Feb 28, 2022 · If you have been married for over 2 years before apply, you can receive the IR1 Green Card which lasts for 10 years. If you have been married for less than two years when you apply, you will receive a CR1 Green Card, besides known as a “ Conditional Green Card. ” This lasts for 2 years before you must renew it to get a 10-year Green Card . Are you eligible for a …

How long does it take to get a permanent green card?

Feb 27, 2022 · March 2022 Timeline: Marriage Green Card Application. Updated on February 27, 2022. A spouse green card application currently takes between 10 months and 3 years, depending on your type of application. To see all the steps involved in the application process, and how long it takes, select the timeline applicable to your case:

Do I need a lawyer to get a marriage green card?

If You Have Been Married for Less Than 2 Years File Your Marriage-Based Green Card with SelfLawyer Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative Form I-130 is the U.S. Immigration Form called “Petition for Alien Relative”. Filling out this form is the first step you must take in order to receive a marriage green card. Petitioner and Beneficiary

What is the minimum age for marriage-based green card application?

In some instances, filing a green card through marriage application will cure the problems of entering without inspection or overstaying a visa. Other times, these issues can cause a marriage-based green card application to be denied.

How long does it take to get a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen?

about 10-13 monthsIf you are married to a U.S. Citizen and are living inside the U.S., you will be submitting an adjustment of status application when you apply for you Marriage Green Card. The adjustment of status Marriage Green Card application process typically takes about 10-13 months.Dec 4, 2020

Can I apply for green card after 3 years of marriage?

As a permanent resident who is married to a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible for naturalization after just three years. This is a significant benefit (as it normally requires five years as a permanent resident before applying for citizenship).

Can I apply for citizenship after 3 years of marriage and divorce?

Who Qualifies For Citizenship? All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years (known as the “three-year rule”).

Can I lose my green card if I get divorced?

The vast majority of green card holders are mostly unaffected by a divorce. If you are already a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year green card, renewing a green card after divorce is uneventful. You file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to renew or replace the green card.Dec 21, 2021

How can I get a green card fast?

5 Fastest Ways to Get a Green CardMarriage to U.S. Citizen. This is the fastest way to immigrate. ... Immigration through family reunification. Immigration through family reunification can take from nine months up to five years. ... Political Asylum in the USA. ... Immigration of extraordinary ability people. ... Investment immigration.Oct 24, 2018

How can I get a green card without marriage?

You may be eligible to apply for a U.S. green card if you have been living in the U.S. as an asylee or refugee for the past one year. You may also be qualified to apply for a green card if you currently have either a T or U nonimmigrant visa.Jun 11, 2019

Can I divorce after 2 years green card?

Getting a divorce before obtaining your green card or before having the conditions on your 2-year green card removed can be a difficult situation. However, once you have a 10-year green card, you will be able to get a green card divorce without jeopardizing your lawful permanent resident status.Jul 16, 2020

Can you get a green card through marriage?

A marriage green card allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder to live and work anywhere in the United States. A green card holder will have “permanent resident” status until they decide — if they wish — to apply for U.S. citizenship, for which they become eligible after three years.

Can I renew my green card without my husband?

In a standard case, you and your spouse would file this petition in the 90-day period before your card expires. However, it is possible to file this form and become 10-year green card holder without the help of your spouse. You may apply for a waiver for the joint filing requirement if: Your spouse is deceased; or.Jun 7, 2021

Can my wife cancel my spouse visa?

The quick answer is that your husband can't cancel your spouse visa. That is because your spouse visa was issued by the Home Office and not by your husband or spouse. Therefore, only the Home Office has the power and authority to cancel your spouse visa or to make you leave the UK.Jan 13, 2020

Can I cancel my spouse green card?

In a typical Green Card case, if the couple has been married for less than two years then the U.S. citizen, spouse and the immigrant have to file another form at the end of the two years or actually right before the end of the two year anniversary of the Green Card and they have to ask to get the conditions removed.

How long does it take to get a green card after marriage?

After two years you will need to once again prove that the marriage is a bona-fide marriage. At that time you will receive a permanent green card. In order to receive a permanent green card you must file a Form I-751 the Petition to Remove Conditions.

How long do you have to be married to get a conditional green card?

If you and your spouse have been married less than 2 years at the time the green card was approved then you will receive this conditional green card. It is important to know that a holder of a conditional green card has the same rights and privileges as a permanent resident who holds a permanent green card.

What documents are needed to get a green card?

Documents that satisfy this requirement include a birth certificate for U.S. citizens or a green card for permanent residents. Proof of marriage. The most common document is a marriage certificate. It is also important to provide proof of marriage termination if any spouse has had a previous marriage.

How much does it cost to file an I-485?

can file Form I-485 at the same time a Petitioner files Form I-130. The form can also be submitted after the I-130 has been approved. The filing fee for the I-485 is $1,225.

What is required for divorce?

A divorce document indicating the name of the Petitioner or Beneficiary as well as an indication that the divorce is legally valid where granted is a common example. Two passport-sized photos of both the Petitioner and the Beneficiary are required. In addition, proof of a bona fide marriage is also required.

How long does it take to get an I-485?

The processing time for the I-485 when submitted by spouses of U.S. citizens is 9 to 12 months. The processing time for the I-485 when submitted by spouses of lawful permanent residents will take longer due to having to wait for green card availability.

Who is the petitioner on the I-130?

Petitioner and Beneficiary. The spouse that is a U.S. citizen or a green card holder is known as the “Petitioner” on Form I-130. The spouse applying for a green card is known as the “Beneficiary”. The Petitioner will need the following information in order to properly complete the Form I-130:

What records do immigration agents look for when entering a marriage?

Items like rental records, utility statements, insurance policies, bank accounts, telephone bills, and tax records are reviewed to determine if the immigrant and U.S. spouse are handling their affairs as a married couple or as individuals.

How to avoid being late for a USCIS interview?

Do everything possible to avoid being late. This begins a day or two before your interview. If you’re not familiar with the USCIS office location, map out the drive in advance. Take a test drive so you can figure out if you’ll need extra traveling time.

Can I get a green card without an inspection?

If you entered without inspection, you should be careful to double-check if these exceptions protect you before you file a permanent residency application. Many immigrant husband and wives, required to return home for their green card marriage interview, must seek a family unity I-601 hardship waiver.

What is an affidavit of support?

Essentially, the affidavit of support is a contract between your spouse and the government. Before approving your request for a green card, immigrant officials want to ensure that the sponsoring U.S. spouse has the financial ability to support the immigrant spouse for the next ten years.

Is marriage fraud a federal crime?

Marriage fraud is a federal crime. Each spouse is subject to being sentenced to prison and assessed a hefty fine. Moreover, the immigrant spouse will be deported and banned from the U.S. for not less than 10 years, and most likely for life. 2.

How long does it take to get a green card if you are a citizen?

The citizen and the foreign spouse must prove that the marriage is bona fide. If the citizen and foreign spouse have been married less than 2 years at the time the spouse becomes a permanent resident, a conditional 2-year green card will be issued.

How old do you have to be to get a green card?

However, you must be at least 18 years old and have a residence in the United States before you can sign the Affidavit of Support Form. The affidavit form is one of the mandatory items for a marriage-based green card application, so the minimum age is effectively 18.

What is the first step in the green card process?

The first step in a marriage-based green card process is for the petitioning spouse (citizen or permanent resident) to file an I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with the USCIS. After the I-130 approval, the next steps will depend on whether the beneficiary is staying in the U.S. or is living abroad.

What do I need to file an I-485?

After the approval of the I-130, the beneficiary will need to file an I-485, Petition to Adjust Status with the USCIS. The I-485 must be submitted with supporting evidence, which includes a birth certificate, proof of nationality, and proof of lawful entry to the U.S. (I-94 travel record).

Does USCIS have backlogs?

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available visa numbers, then a backlog will build. Unfortunately, there is usually a backlog for each marriage-based green card category.