We frequently receive questions from clients that we’re happy to answer and share with you. We hope that you see this as a valuable resource. If you have more questions, please email them to info@immigratingtousa.com. 

How long should a marriage to a US citizen last before filing for a green card?

Many people who are residing in the US using some form of a visa and who have emotional relationships with US citizens realize that marriage could be their path towards citizenship. As a spouse of a citizen, the individual has the right to file for a Green card. However, at the same time, many wonder how long should the marriage last before this procedure it triggered. Should the person file right away once they get married, after a few months, or should they wait for an entire year?

Answer: The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) does not differentiate cases based on the previous length of the marriage up to a certain point. To the same agency, any marriage that does not involve a child born or which lasts less than two years is classified as suspicious in the exact same way. The suspicion is cleared when the authenticity of the same marriage is proven. This is achieved 50% though the documentary evidence, while the other 50% covers oral testimonies of both partners during personal interviews that take place in the USCIS. Simply put, if the marriage is shorter than two years, the USCIS perceives any duration in the same manner.