Marriage Green Card Guide: How To Get a Green Card Through Marriage

A marriage Green Card allows the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to live and work permanently in the United States. This pathway is one of the most common routes to lawful permanent residence, but it’s also among the most closely scrutinized. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) carefully reviews each application to ensure the marriage is genuine and not solely for immigration benefits.

Understanding the requirements, costs, and timeline can help you prepare a strong application and avoid common delays.

At a glance: Marriage Green Card essentials

• Cost: $2,000-$3,000+ in government fees, plus additional expenses for medical exams, translations, and travel
• Timeline: 12-38 months depending on whether you’re a U.S. citizen’s spouse or a Green Card holder’s spouse, as well as your processing route
• Eligibility: You must be legally married to a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder, and your spouse must meet income requirements to sponsor you
• Getting started: Your U.S. citizen or Green Card holder spouse files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS

What is a marriage Green Card?

A marriage Green Card grants lawful permanent residence status to the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder. As a lawful permanent resident, you can live and work anywhere in the United States, travel freely in and out of the country, and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.

Marriage-based Green Cards fall under the family-based immigration category, which prioritizes reuniting families. While most family-based petitions face annual numerical limits and long wait times, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—including spouses—receive special treatment with no caps on the number of Green Cards available each year.

Who is eligible for a marriage-based Green Card?

Marriage-based Green Cards are only available for foreign spouses who are married to a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder.

If you’re married to a U.S. citizen

Spouses of U.S. citizens are considered “immediate relatives” under immigration law. This classification means no annual limit exists on the number of Green Cards available, so you can generally proceed with your application without waiting for a visa to become available. This makes the process significantly faster than other family-based immigration categories.

If you’re married to a Green Card holder

Spouses of Green Card holders fall under the family preference category F2A. Unlike immediate relatives, this category is subject to annual visa limits that are set by Congress. Depending on demand, you may need to wait for your priority date to become current before you can proceed with the final steps. Wait times for F2A applicants can range from a few months to several years, though recent processing has moved relatively quickly.

📘 Your priority date is the day USCIS receives your Form I-130 petition. Once that date becomes current on the USCIS Visa Bulletin, you’re eligible to move forward with your Green Card application.

Marriage Green Card requirements

To qualify for a marriage-based Green Card, you must meet these core requirements:

• You have a valid marriage. You must be legally married under the laws of the country or state where the marriage took place. Prior marriages must be legally terminated through divorce, annulment, or death.
• You have a bona fide marriage. Your marriage must be genuine and based on a real relationship. You cannot enter into it solely for immigration benefits.
• You have sufficient financial support. The sponsoring spouse (the U.S. citizen or permanent resident) must demonstrate sufficient income or assets to support the other spouse at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. This is done by filing Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support).
• You can prove admissibility. You must not have certain criminal convictions, immigration violations, or health conditions that would make you inadmissible (undeserving of entry) to the United States. Waivers are available in some cases.
• You intend to live together. You must intend to establish a life together in the United States as a married couple.

The sponsoring spouse must also be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and lives in the United States.

What does “bona fide marriage” mean?

USCIS requires proof that your marriage is bona fide—meaning it’s based on a genuine relationship and not just an attempt to circumvent immigration laws. Marriage fraud is a federal crime with serious consequences, including deportation, fines, and potential criminal prosecution.

During the application process, you’ll need to demonstrate through documentation and, in most cases, an interview with a USCIS officer, that you and your spouse share a life together. Evidence of a bona fide marriage typically includes:

• Joint financial accounts and shared financial responsibilities
• Lease or mortgage documents showing that you live together
• Photographs together spanning your relationship
• Communication records (emails, messages, call logs)
• Joint travel records and itineraries
• Affidavits from friends and family who know your relationship
• Birth certificates of children born to the marriage

For a detailed guide on what USCIS looks for and how to document your relationship effectively, see our complete post on proving a bona fide marriage.

How much does a marriage Green Card cost?

As of January 2026, the total government filing fees for a marriage Green Card can easily range from about $2,000 to over $3,000, depending on your circumstances.

For spouses applying from within the United States, through adjustment of status:

• Form I-130: $625 ($675 for paper filing)
• Form I-485: $1,440 (by mail) or $1,390 (online) (includes biometrics fee)
• Form I-864: Included with I-485
• Form I-765 (work permit, optional): $260
• Form I-131 (travel document, optional): $630
• Total: $2,065-$3,005

For spouses applying from outside the United States, through consular processing:

• Form I-130: $625 (675 for paper filing)
• Form DS-260/MRV fee: $325
• Form I-864: $120
• Medical examination: $200-$500 (varies by country and provider)
• USCIS Immigrant Fee: $235 (paid after visa approval)
• Total: $1,505-$1,855+

Beyond government fees, expect additional costs for:

• Required medical examinations
• Certified translations of foreign-language documents
• Passport photos
• Travel costs for interviews or medical appointments
• Legal fees if you hire an immigration attorney

These figures reflect current USCIS fee schedules and Department of State consular fees, which are subject to change.

How to apply for a marriage Green Card

The application process differs depending on whether or not you currently live in the United States.

Spouses living in the U.S. (adjustment of status)

If you’re already in the United States on a valid visa or through another legal entry, you can apply to adjust your status without leaving the country:

1. File Form I-130. The spouse who is a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder must submit an I-130 petition to USCIS. This form establishes your marriage relationship.
2. File Form I-485 (if married to a U.S. citizen). If one spouse is a U.S. citizen, you can file the I-130 and I-485 forms together. If one spouse is a Green Card holder, you must wait until your priority date is current to file Form I-485.
3. Attend a biometrics appointment. USCIS will schedule you for fingerprinting and photographing at a local Application Support Center.
4. Complete medical examination. You must undergo an exam by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon and submit Form I-693.
5. Attend your interview. USCIS will schedule an interview where both you and your spouse must appear to answer questions about your marriage and application.
6. Receive a decision. If approved, you’ll receive a Form I-797 approval notice and then your Green Card by mail.

For detailed guidance on timing and common questions about this process, see our complete guide to adjustment of status vs. consular processing.

Spouses living outside the U.S. (consular processing)

If you’re living abroad or cannot adjust status in the United States, you’ll complete the Green Card process through consular processing:

1. File Form I-130. The spouse who is a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder must file this petition with USCIS.
2. Wait for approval. USCIS will process the petition and, if approved, forward your case to the National Visa Center (NVC).
3. Complete DS-260. The spouse abroad submits the immigrant visa application online through the NVC.
4. Gather supporting documents. Upload financial documents, civil documents, and other required materials to the NVC.
5. Attend a medical examination. You must complete a medical exam with an embassy-approved physician.
6. Attend a consular interview. You’ll attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Wait times vary by location.
7. Travel to the United States. If approved, you’ll receive an immigrant visa in your passport. You must enter the United States within six months, and your Green Card will arrive by mail after entry.

Documents required for a marriage Green Card

Both spouses need to provide various documents to support the Green Card application. Requirements vary slightly between adjustment of status and consular processing.

Documents for adjustment of status

• Form I-130 with filing fee
• Form I-485 with filing fee and passport-style photos
• Form I-693 (medical examination, submitted at or after interview)
• Copy of your passport biographical page
• Copy of your visa and I-94 arrival/departure record
• Birth certificate with certified English translation
• Marriage certificate with certified English translation
• Evidence of termination of prior marriages (divorce decrees, death certificates)
• Two passport-style photographs
• Form I-864 from your petitioning spouse
• Your spouse’s proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence
• Your spouse’s recent tax returns (typically three years)
• Evidence of bona fide marriage

Documents for consular processing

• Form I-130 with filing fee
• DS-260 immigrant visa application
• Valid passport
• Birth certificate with certified English translation
• Marriage certificate with certified English translation
• Police certificates from countries where you’ve lived for 12+ months since age 16
• Military records (if applicable)
• Two passport-style photographs meeting specific requirements
• Form I-864 from your petitioning spouse
• Medical examination results (Form I-693 or DS-2053)
• Evidence of bona fide marriage

Conditional Green Cards and the 2-year rule

If you’ve been married for less than two years when your Green Card is approved, USCIS will issue a conditional Green Card that is valid for two years. This exists to help prevent immigration fraud.

The conditional Green Card grants you the same rights as a Green Card—you can live, work, and travel freely in the U.S. The key difference is that you must take action before it expires to maintain your permanent residence.

Within the 90-day window before your conditional Green Card expires, you and your spouse must jointly file Form I-751 to remove conditions on your residence. This petition proves that your marriage remains genuine. USCIS may schedule you for another interview before approving your Green Card.

While legal permanent resident status without conditions is indefinite, your Green Card document itself will need to be renewed every 10 years. See our guide on 2-year vs. 10-year Green Cards to learn more.

What happens if the marriage ends?

If you get divorced, your spouse passes away, or the marriage involves abuse before you can file Form I-751, you may still qualify to remove conditions by filing for a waiver. You’ll need to submit evidence explaining your circumstances and proving that your marriage was entered in good faith.

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

Processing times for marriage Green Cards can take years, but times vary based on several factors, such as USCIS workload, USCIS or consulate staffing levels, security clearance requirements, requests for additional evidence, and the complexity of your case. Applications requiring waivers or involving prior immigration violations typically take longer.

Sponsorship by a U.S. citizen vs. a Green Card holder

• Spouses of U.S. citizens typically wait 10-18 months for adjustment of status
• Spouses of Green Card holders face longer timelines due to visa availability—currently adding a couple of years or more, depending on priority date movement

Adjustment of status vs. consular processing

• Adjustment of status generally takes 10–24 months from filing to approval
• Consular processing typically takes 12–18 months after the I-130 processing time, though embassy backlogs can extend this timeline

Visa bulletin impact

If your spouse is a Green Card holder, you must monitor the Visa Bulletin to know when your priority date becomes current. This date determines when you can proceed with the final application steps. Recent movement in the F2A category has been favorable, but this can change based on demand.

Note: Processing times are estimates and subject to change. Individual cases may process faster or slower than average timelines suggest. You can check current USCIS processing times for your specific office or service center.

Becoming a citizen after getting a marriage-based Green Card

After receiving your marriage-based Green Card, you may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. Spouses of U.S. citizens receive preferential treatment with a shorter required residency period.

Here are the requirements to become a citizen through marriage:

• Hold a Green Card for at least three years (rather than the standard five years).
• Remain married to, and living with, the same U.S. citizen spouse for those three years.
• Be physically present in the U.S. for at least 18 months during those three years.
• Demonstrate continuous residence without trips abroad exceeding six months.
• Pass English language and U.S. civics tests (with limited exceptions).
• Demonstrate good moral character.
• Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

You can file Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) as early as 90 days before reaching your third anniversary as a permanent resident.

Marriage Green Card FAQs

Can I work while my marriage Green Card is pending?

If you’re applying through adjustment of status, you can file Form I-765 along with your I-485. Processing times are five to eight months as of January 2025. If you’re applying through consular processing, you cannot obtain work authorization until you enter the U.S. Once the EAD is approved, you can start working right away and you are not tied to one employer. 

What happens if we get married after overstaying a visa?

If you entered the United States legally and overstayed, you can still qualify to adjust status if you’re married to a U.S. citizen. If you’re married to a Green Card holder, entered without inspection, or have other immigration violations, you’ll likely need to apply through consular processing and may need a waiver. Certain overstays trigger 3-year or 10-year bars to reentry. Consult with an immigration attorney before proceeding, as these situations require careful strategy.

Do I need a lawyer to get a marriage Green Card?

While hiring an attorney is not legally required, most couples benefit from professional guidance. USCIS looks closely at marriage visas, and even straightforward cases require significant documentation, complex forms, and strict deadlines. Especially consider an attorney if your case involves complications, like prior immigration violations, a criminal history, previous marriages, or a significant age difference.

What if USCIS thinks my marriage is fraudulent?

If USCIS suspects your marriage is fraudulent, they may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking for additional proof, schedule a more intensive “Stokes interview” where you and your spouse are questioned separately, or deny your application outright. You’ll receive a written decision with an explanation, and likely a chance to respond. Consult with an immigration attorney immediately to protect your rights and prepare an effective response.

What are other family-based Green Cards in addition to marriage Green Cards?

Other family Green Cards include:

• IR-1 / CR-1 – Spouse of a U.S. citizen
• IR-2 / CR-2 – Unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen
• IR-5 – Parent of a U.S. citizen (petitioner must be 21+)
• F1 – Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens.
• F2B – Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of lawful permanent residents
• F3 – Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (plus their spouses and minor children as derivatives)
• F4 – Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be 21+; spouses and minor children can come as derivatives)