What Is a Marriage-Based Green Card?
A marriage-based green card can be obtained by applying for an immigration visa abroad or by applying for a green card for a spouse of a U.S citizen or permanent resident who is inside the U.S. Although it can be a tedious and complicated process, getting a green card is possible with the right preparation and assistance. However, marriage green card cases vary by individual circumstances.
Who Can Apply for a Marriage Green Card in 2025?
There are essentially two ways you can obtain a marriage green card.
- Marriage Green Card Inside the U.S (Adjustment of status)
- Marriage Visa Outside the U.S (Consular processing)
Both options result in a marriage-based green card, but the process, required forms, and timeline depend on whether the foreign spouse is applying from inside the United States or from abroad. The following sections explain each process in more detail.
How Long Is a Marriage Green Card Valid?
A marriage-based green card is valid for a set period of time before you are required to renew it. If you have been married for over two years at the time of the green card interview, you will receive a 10-year green card and spouses of U.S. citizens may apply for their own citizenship after three years of being a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR).
For a full breakdown of timelines, see our marriage green card processing time guide.
What Is a Conditional Green Card?
If you’ve been married for less than two years at the time your green card is approved, USCIS will issue a 2-year conditional green card.
To stay in status, you must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, during the 90-day period before the card expires.
If approved, you’ll receive a 10-year green card and may apply for U.S. citizenship after three years of permanent residency (if married to a U.S. citizen).
Removing Conditions with Form I-751
Procedures and additional applications vary based on the one that you and your spouse qualify for. To apply for a marriage green card inside the United States, you will need to apply for adjustment of status with USCIS.
Also, cases and forms will differ based on whether the beneficiary (immigrant spouse) is married to a U.S. citizen versus a permanent resident (a green card holder). If you are a foreign spouse living abroad, you are required to apply for a marriage visa through consular processing with the U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate in your home country to come to the United States. Upon arrival in the U.S., you will be admitted as a permanent resident and receive your green card by mail.
If you are married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and entered the U.S. lawfully—meaning you were inspected and admitted or paroled—you may be eligible to apply for adjustment of status through USCIS.
The main difference lies in whether the beneficiary is in the United States or abroad. In this article, we will look at both ways to obtain a marriage green card.
If you are not yet married, you may want to read about the differences between a K-1 visa and a marriage green card.
Below is Shoreline Immigration Lawyer, Lindsey Harris, with her husband Abdo. They are whitewater rafting on the Yellowstone River in Montana. They successfully navigated through the marriage green card process for Abdo, and now he is a US Citizen! Lindsey is a great immigration lawyer and would love to speak to you about marriage green cards!
How to Apply for a Marriage Green Card Inside the U.S. (Adjustment of Status)
If you are married to a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR), you, as the beneficiary, can apply for a green card while inside the United States through a process known as adjustment of status. This process allows you to file the required applications without having to leave the country and you will not be required to apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, as long as certain requirements are met.
Other important details concerning the beneficiary are:
- The beneficiary spouse may qualify for adjustment of status if they were inspected and admitted or paroled into the U.S., even if they are no longer in lawful status (applies to spouses of U.S. citizens only).
- Spouses of legal permanent residents must maintain a valid immigration status until their adjustment applications are filed or they will be found ineligible for adjustment. However, visa overstays are forgiven for spouses of US citizens.
- The beneficiary should avoid filing for adjustment of status or marrying within the first 90 days of arriving in the U.S. on a temporary visa. USCIS may presume immigration intent if a marriage or green card application occurs within this window.
- TThe beneficiary can apply for employment authorization (EAD) and advance parole (AP) concurrently with their adjustment of status application. EADs may be processed in approximately 2-4 months, while AP documents might take 5-8 months or longer. These are estimates and subject to change; check current USCIS processing times.
- The beneficiary may travel internationally with the I-131 travel document while the case is pending or with other valid visa types (However, it’s not always recommended to travel, especially if previously out of status).
- The beneficiary will receive a 2-year conditional green card if the marriage is less than two years old at the time of the interview.
- Must apply to “remove conditions” within 90 days before the two-year anniversary of becoming an LPR. If approved, the beneficiary will receive a 10-year green card and may apply for citizenship after three years of being an LPR (one year after removing conditions).
- The beneficiary will receive a 10-year green card (without conditions) if married for more than two years at the time of the interview, and the spouse may apply for citizenship after three years. The total processing time for citizenship is generally between 9-12 months, depending on field office processing times.
To apply for adjustment of status inside the U.S., you will need to file several forms with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) including:
- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary
- I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- I-131 Application for Travel Document
- I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
- I-693 Medical Report and Vaccinations
- I-864 Affidavit of support
- Supporting documents such as proof of your relationship and marriage as well as civil and financial Documents, etc.
Additionally, you will need to pay several filing fees and attend a biometrics appointment for fingerprints and photographs. The USCIS no longer charges a separate $85 biometrics fee. The cost is now built into the main form fee.
Once your application is submitted, you may remain in the United States while your green card application is being processed. During this time, you are also eligible to apply for work authorization (EAD) and travel permission (advance parole travel document), while your application is pending.
Marriage Green Card Timeline for Adjustment of Status (2025)
It usually takes 9-16 months to obtain your marriage green card through adjustment of status, however, other factors like whether your spouse is a U.S citizen or a LPR (green card holder) and also USCIS field office processing times can impact this timeline. The USCIS field office workload and the complexity of your case can affect your processing time.
For best results, you must submit your applications and documents in a timely and completed manner. With multiple forms and evidentiary documents, it’s easy to miss small details and submit your applications without double checking for errors or oversights. It’s important that your application is completed correctly to avoid any delays or even a denial of your case.
Hiring a trusted attorney is a great alternative to help you gather, collect, and file the applications and documents for your green card. To learn more about green card through adjustment of status processing times, visit USCIS.
How Much Does a Marriage Green Card Cost in 2025?
As of 2025, the total government filing fees for a marriage-based green card through adjustment of status are about $2,065 if you file the I-130 online, or $2,115 if you file it by mail. That includes both the I-130 petition and the I-485 green card application. There are other expenses like the medical exam that you should make sure to budget for. Please note, the COVID-19 vaccination is no longer mandatory for Form I-693 effective 22 Jan 2025.For more details, see the table below.
| Form | Purpose | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative | $625 (online) / $675 (paper) |
| I-485 | Adjustment of Status | $1,440 |
| I-765 | Work Permit | $0 (if concurrently filed with paid I-485) |
| I-131 | Advance Parole | $0 (if concurrently filed with paid I-485) |
| I-693 | Medical Exam (paid to doctor) | $250 – $650* |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support | $0 |
| I-130A | Spouse Beneficiary Info | $0 |
*Typical range reported by civil-surgeon clinics (see sources).
Total government fees (online I-130 scenario): $2,065.
Note: USCIS fees can change. Check the official USCIS fee schedule before submitting your application.
How to Apply for a Marriage Green Card from Outside the U.S. (Consular Processing)
If you are outside the United States and married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you will apply for a green card through a process known as “consular processing.” This involves your spouse filing a petition on your behalf and applying for an immigrant visa at the U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate in your home country or the country you reside in.
Applying for a green card outside of the United States requires three steps:
Step 1: 1-130 Petition for Alien Relative
U.S. citizen Petitioner must submit the I-130 Immediate Relative Package to USCIS on behalf of their foreign national spouse. The package includes USCIS forms, evidence of bona fide marriage, marriage certificate and other civil documents required for the US Petitioner and spouse.
The USCIS processing time for Form I-130 for spouses of U.S. citizens can fluctuate. Currently, it’s advisable to anticipate approximately 10-15 months, but this can vary. Check the official USCIS processing times for the latest information.
Step 2: National Visa Center
When the I-130 petition is approved, the file will move from USCIS to the NVC within 6-9 weeks and the petitioner will receive a confirmation letter and email once received by the NVC. The petitioner must then designate an agent, pay the Immigrant visa fee and the affidavit of support processing fee online. Next they will complete the DS-260 immigrant visa application online and submit all required civil and financial documents, including the I-864, Affidavit of Support.
Once the approved I-130 is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), it undergoes several stages. Initial case creation and welcome letter issuance may take a few weeks. After all required documents and fees are submitted to the NVC, the document review process typically takes 2-4 months for them to determine if the case is ‘documentarily complete.’ This timeframe can change, so refer to the NVC timeframes page on the Department of State website.
Step 3: Consular Processing
Once NVC receives all required documents, the applicant will be notified that their case is “documentarily qualified” and the file will move to the U.S. embassy or consulate abroad where the spouse resides, and an interview will be scheduled. The spouse must attend the immigrant visa interview and bring original documents for consular review. After the interview, the spouse will be notified if the visa has been approved. If approved, the spouse will receive his/her passport and U.S. visa by courier service.
The spouse may then pay the Immigrant Fee online, and must travel to the U.S. typically within six months of receiving their immigrant visa, or before the expiration date of their medical examination, whichever is shorter. The exact visa validity period will be printed on the visa itself.
This step typically takes 2-3 months, depending on the embassy’s appointment availability and any local backlogs. The spouse may travel to the U.S. and once admitted, they will automatically become a legal permanent resident upon admission, and will receive a green card in the mail within weeks of arrival.
If the marriage is less than two years old at time of the consular interview, you (the beneficiary) will receive a 2-year conditional green card. You must apply for removal of conditions within 90 days prior to the expiration of your green card.
It’s important to note that while your visa application is processing, you will not be able to travel to the United States until your immigrant visa is issued. Typically, marriage visa applicants who already have another type of valid visa (like a visitor visa) may travel to the U.S. prior to the approval of their I-130 petition (Step 1), but are not advised to attempt travel to the US while their visa applications are pending during Steps 2 & 3.
Visit the Green Card Eligibility Categories for further details.
The consular processing route for a marriage-based green card generally involves these key stages and estimated timelines:
- USCIS I-130 Petition Processing: The initial step is filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. For spouses of U.S. citizens, USCIS processing typically takes 10 to 15 months. These times can fluctuate, so it’s crucial to check the official USCIS processing times page for the most current estimates.
- National Visa Center (NVC) Processing: Once USCIS approves the I-130 petition, the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC), usually within 6 to 9 weeks. After NVC receives your case and you have paid the necessary fees and submitted all required documents (including Form DS-260 and the Affidavit of Support), NVC will review your file. This review process to determine if your case is “documentarily complete” generally takes around 2 to 4 months. This timeframe can vary, so consult the NVC timeframes page on the Department of State website.
- U.S. Embassy/Consulate Interview & Visa Issuance: After your case is documentarily complete, it’s sent to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. An interview will be scheduled. The waiting time for an interview slot and subsequent visa processing typically takes around 2 to 3 months, but this depends heavily on the specific post’s workload and local conditions. If the visa is approved, the applicant can then travel to the U.S. Upon admission, they become a lawful permanent resident, and the physical green card is typically mailed within several weeks.
Note: Be aware that “Administrative Processing” after the visa interview can sometimes cause additional, unpredictable delays in visa issuance.
FAQs For How To Get A Marriage Green Card
How can I get a marriage green card in the United States?
You can get a marriage green card, and eventually U.S. Citizenship, if you are married to a U.S. citizen or a green card holder (LPR). You can apply for a Marriage Green Card while remaining inside the U.S. through adjustment of status, as long as you entered the U.S. using a valid visa or parole, and meet all other admissibility requirements. Applicants residing outside the U.S. must apply for a marriage visa through Consular processing.
What forms do I need to fill out to get a green card through an adjustment of status?
You’ll need to file several forms with USCIS, including:
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
Form I-130A (Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary)
Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status)
Form I-131 (Advance Parole)
Form I-765 (Work Authorization)
Form I-693 (Medical Exam and Vaccination Report)
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
You’ll also need to provide civil documents (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate) and proof that your relationship is real. Additional forms may be required depending on your case.
What Forms do I need to fill out to get a green card through consular processing?
Your spouse will need to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative for the foreign spouse, and I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary. After the petition is approved, the file will move from USCIS to the NVC, and the beneficiary will need to complete the DS-260 immigrant visa application online, submit the I-864 affidavit of support, pay the consular filing fees, and submit all required civil and financial documents through the consular electronic application center (CEAC). You must then attend your immigrant visa interview and bring all original documents for consular review. When your visa is granted, you must pay the immigrant fee and may enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.
Can I Work While Waiting to Get my Marriage Green Card?
Yes, you can work if you apply for work authorization by submitting Form I-765. This can be filed at the same time as your green card application. If you already have valid work authorization, you may continue working while your green card is processing.
Can I Travel Outside of the U.S. During My Marriage Green Card Application Process?
While your application is processing with USCIS, you can apply for “advance parole,” which grants you permission to travel. USCIS may take up to 6-8 months to process your application for advance parole. Expedited processing is available in limited circumstances including medical emergencies, funerals, situations involving severe financial loss, and for other humanitarian reasons. It is important that you do not leave the U.S. while your case is pending without first receiving advance parole. Leaving the U.S. without parole while your adjustment of status pending may result in a finding of “abandonment” and your application may be administratively closed or denied.
Marriage Green Card Conclusion
The process of applying for a green card whether you are applying for an adjustment of status or through consular processing is a lengthy and complicated process, but with the right preparation and assistance, you can have a successful outcome. It’s best to consult a trusted and experienced immigration attorney to help you navigate the marriage green card process.
For more information, contact us to speak with an experienced attorney to get started or visit our website and sign up for a consultation.
Official Government Sources Cited In This Article
- USCIS Form G-1055 Fee Schedule (Current Edition, e.g., 04/15/25, reflecting fees largely established effective April 1, 2024) – USCIS
- USCIS Fee-Rule FAQ (explains the April 1, 2024 fee changes) – USCIS
- Form I-130 – Petition for Alien Relative – USCIS
- Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status – USCIS
- Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization – USCIS
- Form I-131 – Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole, etc.) – USCIS
- NVC Timeframes Dashboard (current case-review dates) – Travel.state.gov
- State-Department Visa Services Fee Table – Travel.state.gov
- USCIS Immigrant Fee page (paid after visa issuance) – USCIS
