How Long After A Couple Marries, Do You Have To Apply For The Spouse Visa Or Marriage Based Green Card In The United States?

There is no set time for when a couple needs to apply for a marriage-based green card in the United States. It depends on the quality and quantity of evidence the couple has available to submit to establish that their marriage is bona fide. Typically, the longer the marriage is, the more evidence should be available.

Is There A Waiting Period After A New Marriage To Apply?

You may apply for a green card as soon as you have sufficient evidence of good faith marriage.

Once A Couple Applies For A Marriage Visa, How Long Does It Take Generally And What Can You Expect Post COVID To Hear From Immigration With An Interview Date?

Depending on what region in the United States they are, our office has seen processing time anywhere between 12-18 months for an interview during the COVID season.

Once Immigration Has Reviewed Our Marriage Visa Application, Where Will The Interview Take Place?

The interview will take place in the USCIS Field Office of the region where you reside. For example, here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the interview takes at the Dallas Field Office located at 6500 Campus Circle Drive East, Irving, Texas 75063.

In Preparation For The Interview, What Paperwork Will We Need To Have Ready?

In its interview notice, USCIS provides a checklist of what paperwork you will need to bring. Some of these documents include

  • Forms of ID like passport, driver’s license, social security card
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Birth Certificate of any children you have
  • Divorce Decrees from any prior marriages
  • Bank Statements
  • Tax Returns
  • Paystubs
  • Insurance policies
  • Lease agreements, deeds, proof of cohabitation

I’ve Heard That USCIS Will Ask My Spouse To Show That They Will Always Support Me. Why? How Can We Prove That Is Possible?

The obligation for spousal support is only obligatory until you become a U.S. Citizen, or you have put in 40 credit hours pay toward social security, which comes out to about ten years if you are still a green card holder by that time. This is to help avoid becoming a public burden on American taxpayers.

What Are The Key Dates And Events In The History Of A Relationship Immigration Is Likely To Ask About?

Significant dates that you are likely to be asked about in the interview process are the date of when you first met, date of proposal, date of wedding/marriage, how and where you met, where the wedding was held, and possibly when each of the parties met the other’s parents.

What Are Key Documents That Could Help Prove The Authenticity Of Our Marriage?

Key documents that could help prove the authenticity of your marriage are the marriage certificate, certified divorce decrees from any previous marriages, birth certificates of any children from the marriage, joint tax returns, joint bank statements, and joint insurance policies together such as medical, auto, and life.

For more information on Spouse Visa Or Marriage-Based Green Card, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (817) 532-5666 today.