Green Card by Marriage: Here are the requirements to get it in the United States

The married one wants home and if he is or wants to go to US territory the goal is to get a green card or green card. “If you and your spouse plan to live together permanently in the United States, the next thing to do,” the Boundless site reports, “is to apply for a marriage green card.”

In order for your spouse (husband or wife) to live in the United States as a permanent resident (green card holder), you must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident, read on the USCIS website.

That green card “allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder to live and work anywhere in the United States.”

In addition, Boundless continues, a green card holder gains permanent residency until they apply for citizenship, if desired, which they become eligible after three years.

What happens when the Green Card expires and what is the process to renew the Resident Card in the United States?

Requirements for obtaining a green card through marriage

The company mentioned above passes them on

• Birth certificate

• Marriage certificate

• Financial documents

• Proof of sponsor’s US citizenship or permanent residence

• Proof of legal entry into the United States, (if applicable)

• Criminal record certificate, (if applicable)

• Dissolution documents from previous marriages (if applicable)

• Police, judicial and penitentiary files, (if applicable)

• Military data, (if applicable)

• Records of migration violations, if applicable

• Current or expired US visas.

• Medical examination document

Steps to Apply for a Green Card by Getting Married

For the detailed process, let’s look at Boundless’ explanation:

The total time to process a marriage visa can range from 9 to 36 months, depending on whether you are married to a US citizen or a green card holder (a lawful permanent resident).

1. The first step in the marriage green card process is to file Form I-130 (known as the “Alien Relatives Petition”) with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The main purpose of the I-30 form is to establish that a valid marriage exists.

The spouse submitting the form is referred to as the “applicant” or “sponsor.” This must be a citizen or holder of a residence card.

The spouse applying for the green card is the “beneficiary.”

Consult USCIS for more information

What are the elements of an I-130 application package

• Evidence that the applicant is a US citizen (birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or valid passport) or permanent resident (copy of residence card).

• Proof of the existence of a legal and valid marriage (for example a marriage certificate with the names of the spouses, place and date of marriage).

• Evidence that the marriage is not fraudulent.

• Evidence that any previous marriage of both spouses has ended (divorce certificate).

They warn from Boundless that if USCIS needs more information or documents to process your application, they will send you a “Test Request” 2 to 3 months later.

After being notified that your I-130 petition has been approved, the next step depends on whether the spouse applying for the green card is eligible.

Apply for a green card (Form I-485 or Form DS-260)

There are requirements for a spouse living inside or outside the United States

1. If you are in the United States

According to Boundless, you must file Form I-485 (known as the “Adjustment of Status” application).

The I-485 application is submitted to USCIS and is intended to determine the applicant’s spouse’s eligibility for a green card.

Important elements of a UI-485 application package

• Proof of the spouse’s nationality (a copy of the birth certificate and passport).

• Proof of legal entry into the United States (copy of travel form I-94 and previous visa).

• Medical examination performed by a USCIS-approved physician.

• Evidence that the sponsoring spouse is able to financially support the spouse applying for a green card (Form I-864, called the “Affidavit of Support,” plus supporting documents such as tax returns and pay stubs) .

For spouses of US citizens, this I-485 package can usually be combined with the I-130 form and other documents. USCIS processes this submission within 5-16 months (although it may take longer depending on your local office).

In case of spouses of lawful permanent residents “The I-485 application package cannot be submitted until the State Department determines that a green card is available in the visa bulletin, due to annual limits.”

2. Spouse abroad

The next step, explained in this path by the firm Boundless, would be to submit an application package to the National Visa Center (NVC), which collects the necessary forms and documents and decides whether the spouse is ready for an interview at an embassy or foreign consulate (this is called ‘consular handling’).

Presentation elements via the NVC

• Form DS-260 (Green Card Application).

• Proof of husband’s nationality (copy of birth certificate and passport)

• Copy of any police statement from the requesting spouse (describing all interaction with the police).

• Evidence that the sponsoring spouse is able to financially support the spouse applying for a green card (Form I-864, called the “Affidavit of Support,” plus supporting documents such as tax returns and pay stubs) .

Application packages are processed within 1-2 months.

Attend the marriage residence card interview

The indicated signature expresses that if the official is “convinced that the marriage is true, he will approve the spouse for the residency card”.

Where will the conversation be?

Does your husband live in the United States?

You must attend the interview with your sponsoring spouse at the local USCIS office.

The physical residence card will be delivered to you by mail if approved, they specify on the site.

Is the couple abroad?

The spouse applying for a residence card from abroad must attend the interview at the embassy or consulate in their country. The sponsoring spouse does not attend this meeting.

The spouse who lives abroad will then get a visa stamp in his passport, which will allow him to travel to the US.

The USCIS Immigrant Fee must be paid online to issue the Green Card (USCIS recommends paying this fee before the spouse travels to the United States).

Generally, the residence card will be sent to the address in the US 2-3 weeks after the husband’s arrival.

These are the categories that make you eligible to get a green card in the United States

times of marriage

The spouse receives a conditional residence card CR1. Conditional green cards are only valid for two years.

The joint couple must file Form I-751 (known as the “Application for Removal of Conditions of Residence”) during the 90-day period immediately prior to the expiration of the conditional green card in order to have the conditions removed and obtain a permanent residence card.

Upon receipt of this application, USCIS will review the marriage one more time to ensure that the marriage is not fraudulent and that the couple was not married solely for immigration purposes.

Married for over two years

The spouse will receive a residence card IR1 (called an ‘immediate family residence card’), a residence card valid for 10 years.

Married for less than two years

The spouse receives a conditional residence card CR1. Conditional green cards are valid for two years. The joint couple must file Form I-751 (known as the “Application for Removal of Conditions of Residence”) during the 90-day period immediately prior to the expiration of the conditional green card in order to have the conditions removed and obtain a permanent residence card.

Upon receipt of this application, USCIS will review the marriage one more time to ensure that the marriage is not fraudulent and that the couple was not married solely for immigration purposes.