How much does it cost to apply for a marriage green card if I am abroad?
The cost of applying for a marriage-based green card while you are abroad can vary depending on several factors, including the specific immigration category you’re applying under, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) filing fees, and any additional costs related to medical examinations, translations, travel, and legal assistance.
Fees can change over time, so it’s essential to check the USCIS website or consult with an immigration attorney for the most up-to-date information on fees and application requirements. As of my last update, the general fees for a marriage-based green card application included:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): This form is used to establish the relationship between the U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner and the foreign spouse. The filing fee for Form I-130 was around $535.
- Form DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application): If the visa processing takes place at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, you may need to pay the DS-260 filing fee, which was typically around $325.
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864): The U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner must demonstrate the ability to financially support the intending immigrant. There is no specific filing fee for this form, but there might be costs associated with preparing supporting documents.
- Consular Processing Fees: These fees are typically paid to the U.S. embassy or consulate where the immigrant visa interview will take place. They can include an application fee, security surcharge, and visa issuance fee. As of my last update, these fees could amount to several hundred dollars.
Keep in mind that the cost of medical examinations, translations of documents, travel expenses, and potential legal assistance can add to the overall cost of the application process.
Since fees and processes can change, I strongly recommend visiting the official USCIS website or consulting with an immigration attorney to get accurate and up-to-date information regarding the cost of applying for a marriage-based green card while abroad.
How much does it cost to apply for a marriage green card if I am in the U.S.?
The cost of applying for a marriage-based green card (adjustment of status) while you are in the U.S. can vary depending on various factors, including your specific circumstances and the current USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) fees. It’s important to note that these fees can change over time, so it’s recommended to check the USCIS website or consult with an immigration attorney for the most up-to-date information on fees and application requirements.
As of my last update, the general fees for a marriage-based green card application in the U.S. included:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): This form is used to establish the relationship between the U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner and the foreign spouse. The filing fee for Form I-130 was around $535.
- Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status): This is the main form for adjusting your status to that of a lawful permanent resident (green card holder). The filing fee for Form I-485 varied depending on the age of the applicant, with a higher fee for applicants aged 14 to 78. As of my last update, the fee for applicants aged 14 to 78 was around $1,225, which included the cost of biometrics (fingerprinting).
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864): The U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner must demonstrate the ability to financially support the intending immigrant. There is no specific filing fee for this form, but there might be costs associated with preparing supporting documents.
- Work and Travel Authorization (Form I-765 and Form I-131): Depending on your situation, you might want to apply for work and travel authorization while your green card application is pending. These forms had their own filing fees, which were typically around $550 for both forms together.
- Medical Examination: There will be a cost associated with the required medical examination performed by an approved civil surgeon.
- Legal Assistance: If you choose to work with an immigration attorney, their fees will vary based on their services and expertise.
It’s important to reiterate that these fees are subject to change, and it’s crucial to verify the current fees and requirements on the official USCIS website or by consulting with an immigration attorney before submitting your application.
How long does it take to obtain a marriage green card if I am abroad?
The processing time to obtain a marriage-based green card (immigrant visa) while you are abroad can vary widely based on several factors, including the specific U.S. embassy or consulate you are applying through, the current processing workload, the completeness and accuracy of your application, and any potential administrative processing required for security checks or additional documentation.
The U.S. Department of State provides estimated processing times for immigrant visa applications on their website. These estimates can change over time, and processing times may be longer or shorter than the estimates provided.
On average, it could take several months to over a year to complete the entire process from the time the immigrant visa petition is approved to the time the visa is issued and the individual can enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. It’s important to note that these timelines are subject to change, and actual processing times can be influenced by various factors.
For the most accurate and up-to-date processing time estimates, I recommend visiting the U.S. Department of State’s website or contacting the U.S. embassy or consulate where you intend to apply for the marriage-based immigrant visa. They should be able to provide you with the most current information specific to your location and circumstances.
How long does it take to obtain a marriage green card if I am in the U.S.?
The processing time to obtain a marriage-based green card (adjustment of status) while you are in the U.S. can vary based on several factors, including the specific USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) service center processing your application, the complexity of your case, and the overall workload of USCIS at the time.
On average, the processing time for a marriage-based green card application in the U.S. can range from several months to more than a year. As of my last update, USCIS provided estimated processing times for various types of applications on their website, and these estimates were subject to change.
The processing timeline generally includes the following steps:
- Receipt of Application: After submitting your adjustment of status application package, you will receive a receipt notice from USCIS.
- Biometrics Appointment: You will receive a notice for a biometrics appointment, where your fingerprints, photograph, and signature will be taken.
- Work and Travel Authorization: If you applied for work and travel authorization (Form I-765 and Form I-131), you might receive these cards within a few months from your application date.
- Interview: Depending on USCIS policies and the complexity of your case, you may be required to attend an in-person interview. The interview is typically scheduled a few months after your biometrics appointment.
- Green Card Approval: If your application is approved, you will receive your green card (permanent resident card) by mail.
It’s important to note that processing times can vary, and they are influenced by factors such as changes in immigration policies, government processing capacity, and individual case circumstances. Additionally, USCIS might experience delays due to backlogs, security checks, and other administrative factors.
For the most current and accurate processing time estimates, I recommend checking the USCIS website or contacting USCIS directly. They provide processing time estimates for various types of applications based on the specific service center or field office processing them. Keep in mind that these estimates can change over time, so it’s a good idea to regularly check for updates.
How long does it take to obtain a marriage green card if I am abroad?
The processing time to obtain a marriage-based green card (immigrant visa) while you are abroad can vary depending on several factors, including the specific U.S. embassy or consulate you are applying through, the current processing workload, the complexity of your case, and any potential administrative processing required.
Here is a general overview of the steps involved in the process and estimated timeframes:
- Form I-130 Processing: The first step is for the U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to establish the relationship with the foreign spouse. USCIS processing times for Form I-130 can vary, but it may take several months for the petition to be approved.
- National Visa Center (NVC) Processing: Once the I-130 petition is approved, it will be sent to the National Visa Center for further processing. The NVC will provide instructions on how to submit required documents and fees. This step can take several weeks to a few months.
- Consular Processing: After the NVC processes your case and deems it complete, your case will be forwarded to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. The embassy will schedule an interview for the immigrant visa. The waiting time for the interview appointment can vary depending on the embassy’s workload and policies.
- Immigrant Visa Interview: The interview is a crucial step in the process. If everything goes smoothly and your application is approved, you will receive an immigrant visa in your passport. The waiting time for the interview appointment and the subsequent visa processing can vary but may take several weeks to a few months.
- Travel to the U.S.: Once the immigrant visa is issued, you can travel to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
Overall, the entire process from Form I-130 filing to obtaining the immigrant visa and entering the U.S. can take anywhere from several months to a year or more. Delays can occur due to various factors, including the embassy’s workload, security clearances, administrative processing, and changes in immigration policies.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date processing time estimates for your specific situation and the U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply, I recommend checking the U.S. Department of State’s website or contacting the embassy/consulate directly. Keep in mind that processing times can vary, and it’s important to be patient throughout the process.
