Can I get American citizenship if I marry an American?

Naturalization is the process by which a non-citizen becomes the citizen of a country. One way to get citizenship in the United States is to marry a U.S. citizen.

Does marrying someone from American make you citizen?

After marrying a US citizen you will not immediately become eligible to apply for US citizenship. However, as the spouse of a US citizen, you will be classed as an “immediate relative” and, accordingly, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence, or what is commonly known as a green card.

What happens if you marry an American citizen?

After you marry a U.S. citizen, you can apply for a green card. While USCIS is processing your application, you can apply for “advance parole,” which gives you permission to travel. Unless you have an emergency situation, USCIS will take two to three months to process your parole.

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen if you marry an American?

All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years (known as the “three-year rule”).

How long after marrying a U.S. citizen can I get a green card?

The current total wait time for a marriage-based green card averages about 18 months. This will vary depending on whether you are married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder and where you currently live (additional backlogs may be applicable depending on your location).

How Soon Can You Apply for Citizenship if Married to a U.S. Citizen?

What to do after marrying a U.S. citizen?

Your U.S. citizen spouse will act as your “sponsor” during the application process. Together, you will need to file Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative (to be completed by your spouse) and Form I-485: Application to Adjust Status.

What are the benefits of marrying an American citizen?

Once you wed an American citizen, regardless of whether it is under same sex marriages or opposite-sex marriages, you become an immediate relative for immigration purposes. This is a significant advantage to any U.S citizen spouse since they can gain an unlimited number of green cards under this category.

How much does it cost to become a U.S. citizen through marriage?

The government filing fees for applying for a marriage-based green card is $1760 for a spouse living in the United States or $1200 for a spouse living outside the United States. Note, this does not include the cost of the medical examination, which varies from roughly $200 to $500.

What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen by marriage?

Can you stay in the U.S. while waiting for marriage green card?

It's possible to visit your spouse in the United States while your marriage-based green card application is pending. In order to do so, you would need to apply for a tourist visa.

Do you need marriage certificate for U.S. citizenship?

Green card holders applying for naturalization based on their marriage to a U.S. citizen, for instance, must provide additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate and their spouse's U.S. passport.

Can I lose my citizenship if I divorce?

After five years, divorce does not affect your eligibility because eligibility does not depend on marriage. The USCIS will not automatically assume that divorce equals a false marriage. However, you may have to jump through extra hoops and wait longer to become a full citizen.

What is the fastest way to get a green card through marriage?

Proving that your marriage is real with Form I-130 and applying for a green card at the same time (concurrently) with Form I-485: 9–11 months. Attending your green card interview and waiting for your green card: 1–2 months. Total processing time: 10–13 months.

Can I travel immediately after getting green card?

Can I travel outside the U.S. with a green card? Yes, you can travel abroad as a green card holder — that's one of the many benefits of being a permanent resident. However, your trip must be temporary and you cannot remain outside the United States for more than 1 year.

Can you marry an American on a tourist visa?

Can I Marry A US Citizen on A Tourist Visa? The short answer is: yes, you can get married in the US while on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or on a visa waiver program. There is nothing in the regulations that say individuals who are in the US as visitors cannot get married.

What visa do you get if you marry an American?

Once you marry, your spouse can apply for permanent residence and remain in the United States while we process the application. If you choose this method, file a Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e). Filing instructions and forms are available on our Web site at www. uscis.

What is the fastest way to marry a foreigner?

A k-1 visa is usually the fastest way to marry a foreigner. The process may take between 5 and 10 months. In this case, you can visit your partner's home country and process the application. You will carry out the process at the U.S. embassy or consular office.

How long can I stay in the US on a tourist visa?

Visits must be 90 days or less, and travelers must meet all requirements.

How long can you stay in America without a green card?

Absences of more than 365 consecutive days

You must apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you leave the United States, or your permanent residence status will be considered abandoned. A re-entry permit enables you to be abroad for up to two years.

Can I stay on green card forever?

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years. It is important to keep your card up-to-date.

Can a US green card holder travel to Germany without visa?

Foreigners in US with a residence permit (US Green card holders) with validity shorter than three months beyond their planned date of leaving Germany will have to obtain a visa in order to be permitted to enter Germany.

What happens if you overstay your visa and get married?

Even in cases where you have overstayed your visa by 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, or more, you are still able to file for a green card through marriage to a US citizen while remaining inside the United States. Your overstay will be forgiven.

What is the penalty for marrying someone on green card?

What Is the Penalty for a Fake Marriage? The penalty for a fake marriage if discovered is five years in prison at most, a $250,000 fine, or both. The Immigration and Nationality Act 275(c) clearly spells out the immigration and criminal consequences for faking marriage for immigration purposes.

What is the easiest and fastest way to get a US green card?

Green Card Opportunities in Family-Sponsored Visa Categories

For the family-based side of immigration, the absolute fastest way to qualify is as either the spouse, unmarried child under 21 years of age, or parent of a U.S. citizen who's over age 21.

What are 3 ways to lose citizenship?