How to Get my Spouse a Green Card

Spouses of U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for a green card. There are two different processes to apply, depending if the applicant lives in the U.S. or outside the U.S.

Steps to Get your Spouse a Green Card

The applicant lives in the U.S.:

1File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative and Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status.

Form I-130 is to be completed by the U.S. sponsor on behalf of the applicant. The I-485 application is to be completed by the applicant.

If the applicant is married to a U.S. citizen, they can file both forms together (concurrent filing). If the applicant is married to a U.S. permanent resident, they must wait to file Form I-485 until the I-130 petition is approved.

Include with the application package:

2Wait for USCIS to approve the I-148 and I-130 applications.

3Attend green card by marriage interview.

4Receive a green card in the mail.

If the interview goes well, the applicant will become a U.S. permanent resident and receive their green card in the mail.

If the marriage is less than two years old at the time Form I-130 is filed, the applicant will receive a conditional green card, valid for two years. After two years, the applicant can apply to have the "conditions of residence" removed and will receive a 10-year green card.

The applicant lives outside the U.S.:

1File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with USCIS.

The U.S. sponsor will file this form on behalf of the applicant. Include with the petition:

2Pay visa application fees.

Once the I-130 petition is approved, the National Visa Center (NVC) will send the applicant and the sponsor directions on how to pay fees. The fee for the I-130 petition is $420. The fee for the immigrant visa application is $230.

3Submit documents to the NVC.

Receive a letter from the NVC requesting the following documents:

4Attend visa interview.

The applicant will attend a visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

5Receive immigrant visa and travel to U.S.

If the applicant is approved for a green card, they will receive an Immediate Relative Visa (IR-1).

6Receive green card in the mail.

Once in the U.S., the applicant will officially be a permanent resident and be mailed a green card within 30 days of their arrival. If the marriage is less than two years old at the time Form I-130 is filed, the applicant will receive a conditional green card, valid for two years. After two years, the applicant can apply to have the "conditions of residence" removed and will receive a 10-year green card.