Getting a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen is one of the fastest paths to permanent residence, but the process still involves multiple steps and careful documentation.
If you're already in the U.S. (Adjustment of Status): File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) concurrently. You can also file I-765 (work permit) and I-131 (travel document) at the same time. Total timeline: approximately 12-18 months.
If you're outside the U.S. (Consular Processing): After I-130 approval, your case transfers to the National Visa Center (NVC), then to a U.S. consulate for an interview. Total timeline: approximately 12-15 months.
The interview: USCIS will interview you and your spouse together. Officers look for evidence of a genuine marriage — joint bank accounts, shared lease or mortgage, photos together, testimony from friends and family.
Conditional residence: If married less than 2 years at the time of approval, you receive a 2-year conditional green card. You must file Form I-751 to remove conditions within 90 days of the card's expiration.