Marriage-Based Green Card

Overview

A marriage-based green card is the primary way a U.S. citizen sponsors a foreign spouse for permanent residence. As the spouse of a U.S. citizen you fall under the immediate-relative (IR) category, which carries no annual quota or visa backlog and is the fastest of all family-based cases. Depending on whether your spouse is inside or outside the United States, we either file Form I-485 adjustment of status or pursue consular processing through the National Visa Center for a CR-1/IR-1 immigrant visa. Proving a bona fide marriage is the crux of the case — we help you assemble relationship evidence systematically to head off Requests for Evidence (RFE) and interview scrutiny.

Eligibility Requirements

• A genuine, legally valid marriage evidenced by a certified marriage certificate
• Proof of a bona fide relationship (shared residence, commingled finances, social and family records, photos and correspondence)
• The U.S. citizen sponsor's income meets 125% of federal poverty guidelines on Form I-864
• No grounds of inadmissibility for the beneficiary (criminal or overstay records assessed for waivers)
• Any prior marriage has been lawfully terminated (divorce or death certificate)
• Marriages under two years are granted a two-year conditional card requiring removal of conditions

Application Process

1. 1

   Marriage & Eligibility Assessment

   Verify marriage validity, category fit and the right route (inside or outside the U.S.).

2. 2

   Evidence & Form I-130 Filing

   Organize relationship evidence and file Form I-130 petition.

3. 3

   I-485 or NVC Route

   File I-485 inside the U.S., or complete DS-260 and document upload through the NVC abroad.

4. 4

   Medical Exam & Interview Preparation

   Schedule the panel-physician exam and conduct one-on-one mock interview coaching.

5. 5

   Approval & Follow-up

   Track card production and issuance, with removal-of-conditions reminders where applicable.