If you marry someone with a green card, they can sponsor you for a green card as their spouse, which can lead to lawful permanent residency in the United States. However, it is important to follow the legal process and meet the requirements set by the immigration authorities.
Detailed answer question
When you marry someone with a green card, it can have significant implications for your own immigration status. Marrying a green card holder provides an opportunity for you to potentially obtain a green card and eventually lawful permanent residency in the United States. However, it is important to understand the legal process, requirements, and potential challenges involved.
To begin the process of obtaining a green card through marriage, your spouse, as the green card holder, can sponsor you as their spouse. This sponsorship falls under the family-based immigration category. The sponsoring spouse must file a petition on your behalf, known as Form I-130, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Once the I-130 petition is approved, you will need to apply for an immigrant visa through a two-step process. Firstly, your case will be forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC), where you will need to complete various forms and submit supporting documents. Afterward, your case will be sent to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country, where you will attend an interview to determine your eligibility for an immigrant visa.
If you are granted an immigrant visa, you will be able to enter the United States as a permanent resident. Upon arrival, a green card will be issued, officially granting you lawful permanent residency. It is important to note that the entire process can take several months or even years, depending on various factors such as visa availability and processing times.
However, it is vital to follow the legal process and meet all the requirements set by the immigration authorities. Any attempts to circumvent or deceive the immigration system can have severe consequences, including denial of your application, deportation, and potential criminal charges.
In the words of former President Barack Obama, “What makes someone American isn’t just blood or birth but allegiance to our founding principles and faith in the idea that anyone – from anywhere – can write the next great chapter in the American story.” This quote highlights the importance of upholding the principles and values of the United States’ immigration system while pursuing the path to obtaining a green card through marriage.
Interesting facts about obtaining a green card through marriage:
- Marriage-based green cards are one of the most common ways that individuals become lawful permanent residents in the United States.
- There is no limit on the number of green cards that can be issued each year based on marriage to a U.S. green card holder.
- Same-sex marriages are recognized for immigration purposes, allowing same-sex couples to apply for green cards through marriage.
- It is crucial to provide evidence of a bona fide marriage during the application process. Examples of evidence may include joint bank accounts, lease agreements, or photographs together.
- The process of obtaining a green card through marriage can vary depending on whether your spouse is a green card holder or a U.S. citizen.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps in obtaining a green card through marriage:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Filing the I-130 petition | The sponsoring spouse files Form I-130 to establish the relationship as a spouse of a green card holder. |
| Step 2: National Visa Center (NVC) processing | Submit required forms and documents to the NVC to proceed with the visa application process. |
| Step 3: Visa interview at U.S. embassy or consulate | Attend an interview to determine eligibility for an immigrant visa. |
| Step 4: Entering the United States | Once approved, enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident and receive a green card. |
Overall, marrying someone with a green card provides an opportunity for you to potentially obtain a green card and lawful permanent residency in the United States. However, it is essential to navigate the legal process diligently, ensuring compliance with all requirements and guidelines set by the immigration authorities.
Video answer to “What happens if you marry someone with a green card?”
In this video, attorney Mohammad Saleem explains the process of obtaining a Green Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen. He discusses how individuals already in the U.S. on a visa can potentially adjust their status by filing an I-130 petition for an alien relative and an adjustment status application concurrently. He shares an example of a client who transitioned from a visit visa to an F1 student visa and eventually married a U.S. citizen. Saleem highlights the significance of establishing a genuine marriage and obtaining professional legal assistance to navigate the application process smoothly and increase the chances of a favorable decision.
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A marriage green card allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder to live and work anywhere in the United States. A green card holder will have “permanent resident” status until they decide — if they wish — to apply for U.S. citizenship, for which they become eligible after three years.
Marriage-based green cards allow spouses of U.S. citizens or green card holders to live and work in the United States. Obtaining a green card through marriage grants you lawful permanent resident status, and eventually, you may also gain eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship and a U.S. passport through the naturalization process. The green card can either be a permanent renewable green card that is valid for ten years or a conditional two-year green card. Contrary to popular rumor, however, the foreign national does not immediately or automatically receive the right to immigrate, nor U.S. citizenship.
Marriage-based green cards allow spouses of U.S. citizens or green card holders to live and work in the United States. As a green card holder, the U.S. government grants you lawful permanent resident status. Eventually, you may also gain eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship and a U.S. passport through the naturalization process.
If you are married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you have the liberty to work and live anywhere in the U.S. After marriage, you can apply to become a green card holder yourself, which you’re eligible for after two years based on your priority date.
Marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident gives foreign-born people a direct path to a U.S. green card, which is a stepping stone to U.S. citizenship. Contrary to popular rumor, however, the foreign national does not immediately or automatically receive the right to immigrate, nor U.S. citizenship.
When you obtain a green card through marriage, it will either be a permanent renewable green card that is valid for ten years or a conditional two-year green card. The conditional green card is issued to applicants that have been married for less than two years at the time the green card is issued.