Thousands of American citizens and green card holders marry foreign spouses each year. Foreigners who marry a US citizen or green card holder become eligible for a marriage green card, also known as a marriage-based green card. However, marrying a US citizen or green card holder does not mean the spouse will get a green card right away. The total green card application time takes anywhere around 9 to 36 months. There are various factors, such as the citizenship of your spouse, your country of current residence, marriage green card interview, etc., that greatly impact your marriage-based green card timeline.
The marriage-based green card timeline
As mentioned above, it takes between 9 to 36 months for a green card to be processed. The marriage based green card timeline depends on whether the beneficiary is married to a US citizen or Green card holder and your current location (USA or outside).
The Time taken to get a marriage green card is as under:
| Citizenship status of your spouse | Current location of beneficiary | Green card timeline |
|---|---|---|
| US citizen | United States | 14 to 28 months |
| US citizen | Abroad | 17 to 24 months |
| US green card holder | United States | 22 to 36 months |
| US green card holder | Abroad | 15 to 23 months |
Marriage-based Green Card timeline for applicants currently living in the US
Time taken for green card applicant living in the US and is married to a US citizen
Total estimated time is 9-13 months as under:
- Filing marriage petition (Form I-130) and applying for a green card (Form I-485) simultaneously: 8 to 11 months
- Interview and approval: Typically 1-2 months
Time taken for green card applicant living in the US and is married to a US green card holder
Total estimated time is 22-36 months as under:
- Filing marriage petition (Form I-130): 8 to 11 months
- Waiting for green card availability in the visa bulletin: 0 month (subject to periodic change)
- Green card application (Form I-485): 13 to 23 months
- Interview and approval: 1 to 2 months (Can be longer in certain states)
Timeline for applicants currently living abroad
Time taken for green card applicant living abroad and is married to a US citizen
Total estimated time is 10-15 months as under:
- Filing marriage petition (Form I-130): 8 to 11 months
- Green card application: 1-2 months
- Green card interview and approval: 1-2 months (can be longer)
Time taken for green card applicant living abroad and is married to a US green card holder
Total estimated time is 10 -15 months as under:
- Filing marriage petition (Form I-130): 8 to 11 months
- Waiting for green card availability in the visa bulletin: 0 month (subject to periodic change)
- Proving the spouse’s eligibility for a green card: 1 to 2 months
- Interview and approval: 1 to 2 months (Can be longer in certain states)
Marriage green card cost
There are various types of marriage green card fees that you need to pay. Moreover, the fee varies depending on the current residential status of the applicant. You can check the complete breakdown of the marriage green card cost.
NRIs, OCIs, or Green Card holders of Indian origin may have several India-related queries. To get tailor-made answers/ solutions, you can download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store. You can also use the SBNRI app for investment in stock market/ mutual funds, NRI account opening, tax filing, etc. To ask any questions, click on the button below. Also, visit our blog and YouTube channel for more details.
FAQs
Yes, marrying a US citizen or green card holder makes foreigners eligible for a married-based green card. However, it does not mean the spouse will get a green card right away. You must meet other eligibility criteria and the application process takes time anywhere around 9 to 36 months.
The I-130 processing time for spouse of green card holder is as under:
– For spouse currently living in the US: 8-11 months
– For spouse currently living abroad: 8-11 months
