how much does it cost to get a green card through marriage lawyer

Petitioning for a marriage green card is a complicated process that can take years. Making mistakes can cause expensive setbacks. To undo detrimental mistakes, you may need legal assistance. Immigration lawyers can charge as much as $300 for an initial consultation and $1,000-$7,500 to help you through the green card application process.

Full Answer

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

How long does it take to get a marriage green card? The current total wait time for a marriage-based green card ranges between 9 to 36 months, depending on whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder and where you currently live (not including possible delays). Not sure if you qualify for a marriage based green card?

How does someone 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 can I get a greencard without marriage?

• I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary. ...
• I-485, Application to Adjust Status. ...
• DS-260, Application for an Immigrant Visa. ...
• I-944 (Declaration of Self-Sufficiency). ...
• I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. ...
• I-131, Application for Travel Document. ...

How to get a green card without marriage?

• Immigrant Petition Form I-526 Entrepreneurial Alien
• This form is used to apply for an EB-5 green card as an investor.
• Evidence to Back It Up

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

$1760Cost Of Applying For A Marriage Based Green Card In The U.S. As of February 2021, the cost of applying for a marriage-based green card in the United States is $1760. However, it is important to note that these fees may be subject to change.

Do I need a lawyer to get my wife a green card?

You do not have to hire an immigration lawyer to apply for a Marriage Green Card. More than half of all marriage Green Card applications are filed by individuals who do not work with an attorney.

How much does a US immigration lawyer cost?

An immigration lawyer charges between $150 and $300 per hour, with a typical 30-min consultation fee of $75 to $150. Legal assistance when filing basic immigration forms costs $250 to $800, while green card assistance runs from $800 to $5,000, plus the USCIS fees of $460 to $700.

Can a lawyer speed up the green card process?

The immigration process can be intimidating and take a long time, but hiring an immigration attorney to support you with your case can speed up the process and help you meet your goals.

Is it worth getting an immigration lawyer?

Hiring an immigration lawyer adds additional legal fees to your case, but often it comes with numerous benefits. Hiring an immigration lawyer can save you time and stress and increase your chances of success.

How long after getting married can you apply for a green card?

two yearsUSCIS will issue you a conditional Marriage Green Card if you have been married for less than 2 years at the time of your interview. You can apply for a permanent Marriage Green Card after two years of marriage. Check out this article for more information on how to apply for a Marriage Green Card.

Do you automatically get a green card when you marry a US citizen?

The beneficiary, or person who is applying to receive a green card, is generally automatically eligible to receive a green card once they are lawfully married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

How long does it take for green card process?

It takes 7 to 33 months to process a Green Card application. The Green Card processing time depends on the type of Green Card you are applying for, the location of the processing office and other factors. Family Preference Green Cards processing takes from 1 to 10 years depending on the wait time and yearly caps.

Do you need a lawyer to become a US citizen?

Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? No. You can file USCIS forms yourself, including Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can be submitted online. However, some people choose to seek assistance from a lawyer or Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)-accredited representative.

What is the fastest way to get green card?

If you're a close relative to a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, they can petition for you to obtain legal permanent residency. This option is the fastest and most popular path to getting a green card.

How do you expedite a green card through marriage?

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.

What is the 90 day rule immigration?

The 90-day rule states that non-immigrant visa holders who marry U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents or apply for adjustment of status within 90 days of arriving in the U.S. are automatically presumed to have misrepresented their original nonimmigrant intentions.

Green Card- Short Overview

In the U.S., there are two categories of visas for foreign nationals: immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. An immigrant visa is for foreigners who intend to live permanently in the United States, and nonimmigrant visas are for those who intend to enter the United States temporarily.

Are You Eligible for A Green Card?

The first thing to check is whether you are genuinely eligible to go this procedural route. Being physically in the U.S. and technically eligible for permanent residence is not necessarily enough.

Marriage Green Card Cost

According to the phases of the process and costs you need to have in mind, we divided green cards expenses into the following categories:

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

We know that you would like to know the exact time span of the process of getting the green card, but the truth is there is no specific time frame. Each case is different, meaning that the processing time will depend on various circumstances (where the marriage took place, provided evidence provided, etc.).

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.

What is the process of getting a green card if you are a permanent resident?

Upon reaching the port of entry into the U.S., you will undergo a screening by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials to determine your eligibility to enter the U.S. If you are admitted as a permanent resident, your I-551, which is your green card, will be mailed to you.

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 happens if the number of applicants exceeds the number of available visa numbers?

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. The categories are divided into preference levels which are further divided according to your country of origin.

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).

What to wear to a green card marriage interview?

Wear professional and/or conservative clothing. First impressions matter in a wide range of circumstances, including your green card marriage interview. Dress in professional or conservative attire, as you would for a job interview. Be prepared to answer all types of questions.

What to do if your marriage is denied?

If your marriage-based green card petition is denied, the denial letter should include instructions for appealing the decision if that is your decision. If you choose to do so, be sure to have an immigration attorney helping you, as the appeals process is a delicate legal issue.

What is a Green Card through Marriage?

A Permanent Resident Card, often known as a Green Card, allows you to permanently live and work in the U.S. There are several paths to becoming a permanent resident, but one of the most common ways is through marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The process and costs depend on whether you apply from inside or outside the U.S.

Cost of Filing for a Green Card from within the United States

If you and your spouse are filing from within the United States, you will file what is called an adjustment of status application. The forms and government filing fees are as follows:

Cost of Filing for a Green Card from outside the United States

If you and your spouse are filing from outside the United Sates, there are somewhat different forms to file. This application process is known as consular processing. The forms and government filing fees are as follows:

Renewal Costs

Even though a Green Card gives you the right to permanently live and work in the U.S., the card itself must be renewed.

Other Possible Costs

You will likely have additional expenses, which can vary widely depending on your individual circumstances. Some of these additional costs can include:

Conclusion

One of the most common ways of getting a Green Card is through marriage. You should now have a much better understanding of the application process and costs. These costs differ depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the U.S. The filing fees do not change depending on whether your spouse is a U.S.

Share this post..

We never expected for the paper work process to be so soon.We are very suprise to heard that USCIS have shedule our interview early next Month.Thank you for ashoori Law office for being so professional and help us for short cuircuit the USCIS...

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

While the cost of getting a green card through marriage varies, the estimated fees for a green card application through marriage will generally span from about $1,400 to almost $2,000.

How does attorney fees affect green card?

Some of the factors that might affect your attorney fees for a green card through marriage are: How many people are applying together: if your foreign national spouse has any children that are concurrently applying for green cards, this will significantly affect the cost;

How much does it cost to file for a USCIS immigrant visa?

However, when you are applying through consular processing, the State Department charges you a filing fee for the financial support form. USCIS immigrant fee – $220. USCIS charges this fee in order to process your immigration packet and to produce your Permanent Resident Card (your green card).

How long do you have to live with a US citizen?

If you are married to a US citizen, you are eligible to apply for naturalization three years after you obtain your lawful permanent residence. In order to comply with this requirement, you need to have lived with your US citizen spouse for the entire duration of these three years.

What happens if you get a green card in marriage?

If your case presents any complications, such as past criminal charges or a pending divorce, this will also affect your marriage green card cost; If you are issued a Request for Evidence (RFE), this will also result in an increase of the attorney fees for a green card through marriage you will end up paying;

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

You obtain the green card through marriage for an initial period of 2 years, or what is known as conditional permanent residence. Within 90 days of the expiry date of your conditional green card through marriage, you have to apply for removal of conditions. Since this is a part of the marriage-based green card process, ...

How much does an equivalency evaluation cost?

The cost of an equivalency evaluation will vary depending on the service provider, but costs usually start at $80.

1. How much does a Green Card Cost?

Filing fees are typically the simplest aspect of a marriage Green Card application. However, it is important to understand what the fees are and how much the marriage Green Card costs to prepare for the Green Card application.

II. Are there other costs associated with a marriage Green Card?

When reviewing the basic fees associated with the marriage Green Card application, it is often easy to overlook other marriage Green Card costs applicants may encounter. The following are additional fees that need to be considered regarding the marriage Green Card costs:

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

Applying for a marriage-based green card can cost you from $1,280 to $1,950.

How much is the I-130 fee?

As of February 2020, the fee for filing Form I-130 is $535 and should be sent when filing the Petition. Spouses of U.S. citizens living in the U.S. Spouses of U.S. citizens applying for a marriage based green card and living in the U.S. can file Form I-485 at the same time a Petitioner files Form I-130. The form can also be submitted ...

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. This generally adds an additional 8 to 10 months to the processing time.

What proof is needed for a bona fide marriage?

Proof can include: Joint checking account statement. Birth certificate of a child born in marriage. Evidence of joint financial responsibilities like a mortgage or utility bills.

Is a common law marriage considered a green card marriage?

marriages where one party is not present at the ceremony; marriages for the purpose of violating U.S. immigration law. Common-law marriages can be recognized as a legal green card marriage. In order for a common-law marriage to be recognized as a green card marriage the spouses must live in a place where they meet the requirements ...

Do lawyers help with application?

In addition to assisting with the application forms, a lawyer can help you gather the necessary documents and prepare for the interview.

Do immigration lawyers charge flat fees?

Immigration attorneys normally charge a “flat,” or fixed, fee rather than billing by the hour. In fact, our survey showed that 96% of our readers paid their lawyers a flat fee to handle their adjustment-of-status applications. Most immigration applicants prefer fixed legal fees, because they know from the start exactly what it will cost. And in standard cases, lawyers are able to predict approximately how much time they will need to spend.

What is a Marriage Green Card?

So you married a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Green Cardholder? Congratulations! Now that you and your fiance have gotten married, it is time to start your new life together. Before you can make the U.S. your permanent residence, you will probably need to apply for a Marriage Green Card. This guide explains what a marriage Green Card is and how to get one.

Are you eligible for a Marriage Green Card?

To be eligible for a Green Card through marriage, you must show USCIS four things:

How do you apply for a Marriage Green Card?

Once you have determined that you are eligible for a Marriage Green Card, applying is a 3-step process:

How long does it take to get a Marriage Green Card?

How long the process takes depends on whether you're already living in the United States and whether you're married to a U.S. citizen or a Green Cardholder. It can take a while, so many people start preparing their forms with their fiance up to 90 days before they get married.

How much does it cost to get a Marriage Green Card?

In 2020, the total cost for a Marriage Green Card is $1,760 if you are applying while living in the United States, and or $1,200 if you are applying from abroad. These totals include the required U.S. government filing and biometrics fees, which are nonrefundable. They also include the average cost of the required medical examination.

When should you work with an lawyer to get a Marriage Green Card?

You do not have to hire an immigration lawyer to apply for a Marriage Green Card. More than half of all marriage Green Card applications are filed by individuals who do not work with an attorney. You can definitely do it!

Marriage Green Card FAQs

If you applied for your Green Card while you were living in the United States, then Yes! But you will need to apply for employment authorization when you file your Form I-485. You can do this by submitting a Form-I765 Application for Employment Authorization when you apply to adjust status.