01

Overview

4 guides

1. What Is a Marriage-Based Green Card?

   A complete 2026 overview of eligibility, the I-130 petition, and the two paths to lawful permanent residence through marriage.

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2. Marriage Green Card Timeline

   Typical wait times for each step, from I-130 filing to green card approval, and what drives whether your case takes 10 months or over 2 years.

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3. Do Same-Sex Couples Qualify?

   Same-sex marriages are treated identically under U.S. immigration law. Here is what you need to know about eligibility, evidence, and common concerns.

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4. Full Marriage Green Card Document Checklist

   The complete list of USCIS forms, identity documents, marriage evidence, financial paperwork, and supporting evidence you will need.

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02

Process

3 guides

1. Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing

   Compare the two paths to a green card — filing from inside the U.S. vs. processing at a consulate abroad — and decide which fits your case.

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2. What Happens After You File

   Receipt notices, biometrics, EAD/AP approvals, and the marriage interview — a step-by-step look at what USCIS does next.

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3. How Much Does a Marriage Green Card Cost?

   Complete 2026 cost breakdown — filing fees, medical exam, biometrics, translations — typically $1,500 to $3,500+.

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03

Forms

7 guides

1. Guide to Form I-130

   Everything about the Petition for Alien Relative: who files, required evidence, filing fees, and how to avoid common mistakes.

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2. Guide to Form I-485

   The Adjustment of Status application in depth — eligibility, required supporting forms, medical exam, and interview expectations.

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3. Guide to Form I-864: Affidavit of Support

   How the sponsor proves financial ability to support the immigrant, including income thresholds, required documents, and signing requirements.

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4. Guide to Form I-765 & I-131: Work and Travel Permits

   Apply for work authorization (EAD) and a travel document (advance parole) alongside your I-485 — filed together, free when bundled.

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5. Using the Correct USCIS Form Version

   Outdated forms get rejected. How to verify you are using the current edition on uscis.gov before filing.

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6. What Counts as Income or Assets for Form I-864?

   How USCIS evaluates income, assets, and combined resources against the 125% Federal Poverty Guideline threshold.

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7. If You Don't Meet the I-864 Income Threshold

   Assets, joint sponsors, household members, and other ways to meet the Affidavit of Support financial requirement.

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04

Financial

1 guide

1. Joint Sponsors Explained (Form I-864)

   When you need a joint sponsor, who qualifies, what they take on, and how to submit their I-864 correctly.

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05

Documentation

3 guides

1. How to Organize Your Supporting Documents

   Label, order, and package your evidence so USCIS reviewers find what they need — reducing the risk of delays and RFEs.

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2. How to Prove a Real Marriage to USCIS

   What counts as bona fide marriage evidence, how much to submit, and common pitfalls that trigger fraud reviews.

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3. When Translations Are Required

   USCIS rules for translated documents, the certification statement translators must include, and formatting tips to avoid rejection.

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