Can I stay in America if I 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 happens if I marry a U.S. 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.

Can I live in the US after marrying a U.S. citizen?

If you are a U.S. citizen you have two ways to bring your foreign spouse (husband or wife) to the United States to live. They are: Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) - An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required.

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).

Can I get a visa if I marry a U.S. citizen?

Yes, there is an important and very time relevant difference. Persons married to US citizens are considered "immediate relatives" in the immigration process and can apply immediately for LPR status. The USC spouse may file an immigrant petition (Form I-130) for the alien spouse immediately after the marriage.

Green Card through Marriage to US Citizen Process Explained (2020-2021)

Can you work immediately after marrying a U.S. citizen?

Spouses of U.S. citizens can immediately file their complete green card application, along with a work permit application. This significantly speeds up the process, and allows the H-1B spouse to continue working in the United States even after their H-1B visa expires.

Can my wife stay in the US while waiting for 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. But before pursuing this option, it's important to understand the challenges and risks involved.

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.

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 happens if I marry someone with a U.S. green card?

Green card holders and U.S. citizens are at liberty to marry non-U.S. citizens. Their foreign spouses can get a marriage green card and live with them in the United States. The application process looks different depending on where you and your future spouse live and your respective immigration statuses.

Will I become a citizen if I marry my boyfriend?

First, let's get one important thing straight: Marriage to a U.S. citizen makes someone eligible for U.S. lawful permanent residence (a "green card"), not for U.S. citizenship.

Can I sponsor my girlfriend to USA?

The fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. The K-1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival. You can learn more about fiancé(e) visas on usvisas.state.gov.

How long do you need to stay married to become a U.S. citizen?

Who Qualifies For Citizenship? 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”).

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.

Does being married to a U.S. citizen stop deportation?

The short answer is no. Marriage alone won't stop deportation or prevent you from being deported in the future. But, marriage to a US citizen can make it easier to establish your legal status in the United States.

Can I come back to the US if I overstayed?

If you have more than 180 days of unlawful presence, meaning you overstayed your visa by 181 days or more, you will be barred from returning to the United States for a certain amount of time. If you were unlawfully present for between 180 and 365 days, you will be barred from entering the United States for three years.

Can visa overstay be forgiven in USA?

What is visa overstay forgiveness? If you're a visa holder and you remain in the United States past the “admit until date” listed on your Form I-94 (also called the “Arrival/Departure Record”), you are overstaying your visa. If this happens, you can get visa overstay forgiveness by applying for a waiver.

What happens if I marry an illegal immigrant?

Marriage With An Undocumented Individual With Illegal Entry

If your foreign spouse entered the US illegally and has spent more than 6 months (180 days) in the country, they will need to travel to a US consulate or embassy abroad for their Green Card interview.

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

The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is $725. That total includes $640 for application processing and $85 for biometrics services, both of which are nonrefundable, regardless of whether the U.S. government approves or rejects an application.

How long do you have to stay in the US to get a green card?

To qualify for a green card, however, the applicant will need to fulfill other eligibility requirements, including the following examples: They must have physically lived in the United States for at least three years since receiving a U visa.

How much does it cost to get a green card through marriage?

Marriage-Based Green Card Cost

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.

Can you be denied a green card after marriage?

Many couples incorrectly assume that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically approve their marriage-based Green Card application. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Green Card applications are routinely denied for a myriad of reasons.

Can I live in the US without a green card?

Emigrating without a Green Card

If you do not qualify for any of the paths to a Green Card listed here, then short-term living and working in the US is possible with a work visa (e.g., E-visa or the L-visa).

Can I stay in the US if I marry my girlfriend?

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.

What is the fastest way to bring your fiancé to the US?

Speed of Marriage

If your priority is to become married as soon as possible, it will generally be quicker to marry outside the United States. Obtaining a K-1 visa, typically the fastest way to the U.S., will take approximately 5-10 months. So visiting the fiancé in his or her home country will usually be faster.