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Living in the U.S. and Married to a U.S. Citizen
Start-to-finish guide to ‘concurrent filing’ — the fast track to a spousal green card when both spouses live in the U.S.
Summary
This guide is for married couples where both spouses live in the United States and the sponsoring spouse is a U.S. citizen.
If you haven’t already, first make sure to read our general overview of the marriage-based green card process, explained in plain language. If you have, great! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of applying for a spouse visa (marriage-based green card) step by step.
Step 1: Green Card Application
Step 2: Interview and Approval
Our other start-to-finish guides can explain the process for couples in different circumstances.
How long does it take to get a spousal green card?
8.2 months for application processing, including the interview
(more details on timing)
What is the estimated cost of a spousal green card?
$3005 (excludes roughly $200 for medical exam)
(more details on cost)
What you get with Fengey
With Essential and Premium tiers, we offer K-1 services to suit any budget. Learn more about our guided process
Step 1: Green Card Application
If you both live in the United States and the sponsoring spouse is a U.S. citizen, you’re in luck! You can save time by combining two parts of the process in one “concurrent filing” that you send in a single package to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government agency that handles these applications:
- Establishing the marriage relationship (Form I-130, officially called the “Petition for Alien Relative”)
- Applying for the green card (Form I-485, officially called the “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status”)
Getting a medical exam
All spouses seeking a green card need to complete a medical exam. You have two options as far as when to schedule your appointment with a civil surgeon. You can either attend the appointment before you file, and then include the exam with your application, or you may submit your medical exam to USCIS soon after submitting your application or bring the results with you to your green card interview.
Filing the application
Your complete spousal visa application package must include the following forms (and supporting documents), plus payment for the government fees:
REQUIRED GOVERNMENT FORMS
The following forms are required as part of the full spousal green card application package (Fengey can help you complete them all):
- Family sponsorship form (I-130)
- Supplemental information form (I-130A)
- Adjustment of Status form (I-485)
- Financial support form (I-864)
OPTIONAL GOVERNMENT FORMS
If the spouse seeking a visa (marriage-based green card) wants to work in the United States or travel internationally, the following additional forms can also be included in the full spouse visa application package (Fengey can help you complete these, too):
- Work permit application form (I-765)
- Travel permit application form (I-131)
MANDATORY GOVERNMENT FEES
- $675 for Form I-130
- $1,440 for Form I-485
- Total: $1,815
All other forms — the work permit application, travel permit application, and financial support form — do not require additional government fees. And again, the medical exam fee is paid directly to the doctor.
Within about two weeks after mailing the complete application package to the appropriate USCIS address, you should receive official “receipt numbers” in the mail from USCIS (one each for the family sponsorship form, green card application, work permit application, and travel permit application).
Approval of the travel permit and work permit take around five months (longer in some cases).
Not sure what costs to expect? Fengey’ USCIS fee calculator can help determine the exact government fees for your application. We also help you pay your costs in installments, so you can get started now and pay later. Learn more.
Attending your biometrics appointment
You will then receive notice of a biometrics appointment, usually about one month after USCIS receives your application package. The appointment is typically scheduled at the USCIS field office closest to where you live and is usually low-stress — USCIS will simply take fingerprints and photographs of the spouse seeking a green card, in order to conduct background and security checks. The sponsoring spouse is not required to attend this appointment and often does not attend.
If USCIS needs more information or documents to process your application, they will send you a “Request for Evidence” (RFE), typically within 2–3 months.
Step 2: Interview and Approval
Attending your green card interview
Once USCIS has completed all the background processing of your visa application materials, your file is transferred to your nearest USCIS field office. This local office will then send you an appointment notice with the time, date, and location of an interview that both spouses must attend.
This interview is the last big step in the application process, and it’s normal to feel intimidated and stressed by this part — most couples do. But don’t worry! You can help reduce the stress by knowing what to expect and assembling an organized file to bring to your interview. Check out these resources for more details:
- Guide to the marriage green card interview
- Common interview questions (these can get very personal!)
A USCIS officer will conduct the interview. If they’re sufficiently convinced that you and your spouse married “in good faith” — that is, your marriage is not fraudulent (see our guide to proving your marriage is authentic) — they may approve your spousal visa application on the spot. It’s important to understand all the possibilities, though.
Receiving your spousal visa (green card)
Your physical spouse visa (also called a “green card” because of its color) will arrive by mail, typically within two to three weeks of approval. The green card entitles you to work anywhere in the United States and take international trips without separate work and travel permits.
The type of green card you receive will depend on how long you and your spouse have been married at the time of visa approval:
IF YOU’VE BEEN MARRIED FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS
Your green card will be marked “CR1” for “conditional green card.” This type of green card is valid for only two years, at which point you and your spouse must jointly file another form to “remove the conditions” — giving USCIS one more opportunity to make sure that the marriage is authentic — and then get a permanent green card.
IF YOU’VE BEEN MARRIED FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS
Your green card will be marked “IR1” for “immediate relative green card.” This green card (also called a “permanent green card”) is valid for 10 years, and renewal is typically a simple process.
Fengey’ easy questionnaire helps find the right visa for you. Learn more.
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Related Info with Fengey
Learn more about our guided process
A Beginner’s Guide to Spouse Visas (Marriage-Based Green Cards)
How Long Does the Spouse Visa Process Take?
How Much Does a Spouse Visa Cost?
Documents Required for a Spouse Visa
Understanding the Financial Support Form
Questions Asked in a Spouse Visa Application
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What documents are typically required for consular processing?
The specific documents required for consular processing can vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. However, common documents include a valid passport, birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), police clearance certificates, medical examination reports, financial documentation, and supporting evidence for the visa category being applied for. It is important to consult the U.S. embassy or consulate’s website or the Department of State for the exact document requirements.
Can I attend my consular interview in a country other than my home country?
In general, consular interviews are scheduled at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the individual’s home country. However, there may be certain circumstances where it is possible to request an interview in a different country. This is known as third-country processing. The availability and eligibility for third-country processing can depend on factors such as the individual’s nationality, residence, and the specific policies of the U.S. embassy or consulate involved. It is advisable to contact the embassy or consulate to inquire about the possibility of third-country processing.
Can I travel to the United States while my consular processing is in progress?
Generally, individuals going through consular processing should wait until they receive their immigrant visa before traveling to the United States. If they enter the United States on a different non-immigrant visa during the consular processing, it may complicate or negatively affect their immigration process. It is important to follow the guidelines provided by the U.S. embassy or consulate and to consult with an immigration attorney if there is a need to travel to the United States before completing the consular processing. Learn more about when you can visit a spouse in the U.S. while waiting for your Green Card.
Can I sponsor a green card for an undocumented spouse?
It is possible in some cases to apply for a marriage-based green card for your undocumented spouse. Learn more about sponsoring undocumented spouses.
