How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage-Based Green Card?
How long does it take to get a Green Card after marriage? Depending on the status of your spouse, and where you currently live, the marriage-based Green Card processing timeline can differ between 10 to 38 months. Review this article for general information and try the Lawfully USCIS Case Tracker app for your personalized prediction.
Marriage-Based Green Card Timeline:
I. What is the Green Card processing timeline if my spouse is a U.S. citizen?
If the marriage-based Green Card applicant lives in the United States, the typical Green Card processing time will be 10-13 months.
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) can be filed concurrently and can take 8-11 months.
- Approvals and interview time can take an extra 1-2 months.
If the marriage-based Green Card applicant lives abroad, the typical Green Card processing time will be 11-17 months.
- Form I-130 processing time can take 7-10 months.
- DS-260 Green Card application through the National Visa Center (NVC) can take 3-5 months.
- Approvals and interview time can take an extra 1-2 months.
II. What is the Green Card processing timeline if my spouse is a U.S. Green Card holder?
If the marriage-based Green Card applicant lives in the United States, the typical Green Card processing time will be 29-38 months.
- Form I-130 processing time can take 11-15 months.
- Typical wait time for Green Card availability can take 8-10 months.
- Form I-485 processing time can take 9-11 months.
- Approval and interview time can take an extra 1-2 months.
If the marriage-based Green Card applicant lives abroad, the typical Green Card processing time will be 23-32 months.
- Form I-130 processing time can take 11-15 months.
- Typical wait time for Green Card availability can take 8-10 months.
- DS-260 Green Card application through the NVC can take 3-5 months.
- Approvals and interview time can take an extra 1-2 months.
*The Green Card processing time estimates above are dependent on the processing times for the field offices and can vary.
For the Form I-130 instructions and Form I-485 instructions, please click here.
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