Immigrating to the United States can be a long and complicated process, but it can become easier if you get married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Marriage-based immigration is a common way for foreigners to become lawful permanent residents (green card holders) in the United States. In this blog post, we will provide everything you need to know about marriage-based immigration, including how long you have to wait for your green card after getting married, and how Gurian Group, P.A. can help you with your case. 

To apply for a green card through marriage, the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse has to file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) on behalf of their foreign spouse. This petition establishes that the married couple has a bona fide relationship and intends to live together permanently in the United States. The processing time for Form I-130 varies depending on the USCIS Service Center that handles the case, but currently, it takes an average of 7 to 12 months. 

After the Form I-130 is approved, the foreign spouse has to file an application for adjustment of status (Form I-485) to become a lawful permanent resident. The processing time for Form I-485 also varies depending on the USCIS Field Office, but currently, it takes an average of 8 to 14 months. During this time, the foreign spouse can apply for a work permit (Form I-765) and a travel document (Form I-131) to be able to work and travel outside the United States while the green card application is pending. 

It is important to note that if the foreign spouse entered the United States with a visa that expired, they might be required to leave the country and attend an interview at the U.S. consulate in their home country to receive their green card. This process is called consular processing, and the waiting time for it varies depending on the consulate and the country, but it can take several months or even a year. 

Gurian Group, P.A. is a law firm that specializes in immigration law, including marriage-based immigration. Our attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience in handling cases like yours, and we can help you with your petition, adjustment of status application, consular processing, and any other legal issues related to your immigration status. We understand that the immigration process can be stressful and overwhelming, so we take a personalized approach to each client, and we are available to answer your questions and concerns throughout the entire process. 

Marriage-based immigration can be a great option to become a lawful permanent resident in the United States, but it requires a lot of paperwork, time, and patience. The waiting times for each stage of the process can be long, so it is essential to have a qualified and experienced attorney to guide you through it and ensure that everything goes smoothly. At Gurian Group, P.A., we are committed to providing high-quality legal services to immigrants, and we are ready to help you with your case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.