Marriage-Based Green Cards

Obtaining Permanent Residency (Green Card) Through Marriage

Here's an overview of the process to get permanent residence through marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

How to Get Citizenship After Marriage to a U.S. Citizen

Summary of rules on obtaining a U.S. green card - and naturalized citizenship - based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Filing an Immigration Petition (I-130) for a Foreign Spouse

An overview of the process, and some tips on the form to petition for your foreign spouse to immigrate to the U.S.

How to Adjust Status (to Permanent Resident) After Marriage to a U.S. Citizen

An overview on eligibility for a green card after marriage, necessary forms, documents, how to survive the interview, and much more.

What Happens at the Green Card Marriage Interview?

Learn about the questions the immigration interviewer may ask in order to test the validity of a marriage.

Marriage Just for a Green Card? Legal and Procedural Problems

Here's what really happens when well-meaning friends offer to marry someone for immigration purposes.

What If Your Spouse's Immigrant Visa (Green Card) Is Denied?

What can you do if you husband or wife is denied a green card based on your marriage?

U.S. Citizen Marrying a Foreigner or Immigrant - FAQs

As a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you're free to marry a foreign national or non-citizen immigrant - but you'll need to consider immigration laws to move your new spouse to the U.S. permanently.

Adjusting Status From F-1 Visa After Marrying a U.S. Citizen

If you've come to the U.S. on a student visa, but then married a U.S. citizen, you can get a green card (permanent residency) through the adjustment of status process.

Can You Get a Green Card By Common-Law Marriage?

When common law marriages may be used as a basis for an application for U.S. lawful permanent residence.

Proving a "Bona Fide" Marriage for U.S. Immigration Purposes

Start planning now to prove that your marriage is the real thing, by gathering documents and preparing for your marriage interview.

Defining a Legally Valid Marriage Under U.S. Immigration Law

Make sure your marriage meets the requirements to obtain a green card for the immigrant.

Penalties for Immigration Related Marriage Fraud

Learn about the legal consequences for both the immigrant and U.S. citizen or permanent resident engaging in marriage fraud for immigration purposes.

Mistakes That Threaten a Marriage-Based Visa or Green Card

Here are five common errors that can lead to problems getting a visa or green card based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

Can a Permanent Resident Lose Their Green Card After Divorce?

Learn about the circumstances under which divorce can lead to revocation of permanent residence, and even removal from the U.S.

Divorce Issues for a U.S. Immigrant or Permanent Resident

The effects of divorce on a marriage based green card application, at every phase in the process.

How an Annulment Will Affect the Marriage-Based Green Card Process

Depending on where you are in the application process to become a legal permanent resident based on marriage, an annulment of that marriage may present some complications.

Legal Separation and Your Marriage-Based Green Card

An overview of the laws on how and when the immigrant may retain permanent resident status even after a legal separation.

Can an Undocumented Immigrant Get a Green Card Through Marriage to a U.S. Citizen or Resident?

Undocumented (illegal) immigrants can get permanent residency through marriage, but it's not a simple process, and might actual be impossible, due to penalties for both illegal entry and overstaying.

Can an Undocumented Immigrant Marry a U.S. Citizen?

There's no law preventing an undocumented (illegal) immigrant from marrying a U.S. citizen, but getting a green card (permanent residence) is not quite so simple.

Should I Get Married Abroad or Bring My Foreign Fiance To The U.S.?

If you're a U.S. citizen, you have various application options for getting a green card (permanent resident status) for your soon-to-be spouse.

Can You Get Married on a U.S. Visitor Visa?

Learn about the limited situations where it's acceptable to get married while in the U.S. on a tourist visa, and recommendations for alternatives.

Immigration Based on Marriage to a U.S. Citizen vs. a Green Card Holder

Immigrants can obtain permanent resident status through marriage to either a U.S. citizen or green card holder, but the rules are a little different in each case.

Can a Green Card Holder Get an Immigrant Visa for a Spouse?

As a permanent resident, you can petition for your spouse to get a U.S. visa - and ultimately a green card - but it's much easier and faster if you become a U.S. citizen first.

Do Canadians Need a K-1 Visa to Enter the U.S. & Marry a U.S. Citizen?

Canadian citizens typically enjoy easy entry into the United States, but to enter and marry a U.S. citizen, the K-1 visa process still applies.

Will My Visa Overstay Be Waived If I Marry a U.S. Citizen?

How legal entry plus relationship to a U.S. citizen helps cure visa overstay and unlawful presence problems.

Proxy Marriage Validity Under U.S. Immigration Law

How will a proxy wedding, where one spouse is not present, affect an immigrant spouse's ability to get a green card?

Will Marriage to a U.S. Citizen "Waive" Your Unlawful Stay?

There are two ways that an immigrant married to a U.S. citizen can potentially avoid the problem of inadmissibility based on unlawful presence.

Can You Marry a U.S. Citizen While on a J-1 Visa and Get a Green Card?

As a J-1 visa holder, you are free to marry a U.S. citizen, but you may have to return to your country of residence before you can qualify for permanent residence.