Applying for a marriage-based green card can be complex and stressful. Latif Law represents individuals and couples in Columbus and throughout Central Ohio in family-based immigration matters, including adjustment of status and consular processing.
We help clients prepare strong applications, avoid delays, and navigate the process with confidence.
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U.S. citizens may sponsor their foreign-born spouse for lawful permanent residence. Spouses of U.S. citizens are treated as immediate relatives, meaning there is no annual cap on available visas and processing is generally faster than other family-based categories. Lawful permanent residents may also sponsor a spouse, though a visa number must first become available.
For a detailed overview of the full application process, eligibility requirements, and what to expect at each stage, see our marriage green card process guide.
There are two main pathways to a marriage-based green card. Adjustment of status allows a foreign-born spouse who is already inside the United States to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. Consular processing is used when the spouse is abroad, and involves an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
The right path depends on where your spouse currently lives, how they entered the United States, and other factors specific to your case. Latif Law helps Columbus-area clients evaluate both options and choose the approach that best fits their situation.
A marriage-based green card allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States. If the foreign-born spouse is already in the U.S., they can apply through "adjustment of status" without leaving the country. If abroad, they go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy.
Spouses of U.S. citizens are considered "immediate relatives" under immigration law, meaning there is no annual cap on the number of visas available. This generally results in faster processing compared to other family-based categories.
Important: Immigration law and USCIS policies are changing rapidly. Processing times, fees, and evidence requirements are subject to change. Always verify current requirements at uscis.gov or consult with an attorney before filing.
If you have been married for less than two years at the time your green card is approved, you receive a conditional green card valid for two years. You must file Form I-751 to remove conditions within the 90 days before your card expires. If your marriage is over two years old at approval, you receive a standard 10-year permanent green card.
Collect marriage certificate, birth certificates, passport copies, photos together, and evidence of a genuine marriage such as joint finances, lease, and insurance.
The U.S. citizen spouse files Form I-130 to establish the qualifying family relationship with USCIS.
If already in the U.S., file I-485 concurrently to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country.
File I-765 for employment authorization and I-131 for advance parole so you can work and travel while your case is pending.
USCIS schedules a fingerprinting appointment at your local Application Support Center.
Both spouses attend an in-person interview at the USCIS field office. Officers ask about your relationship, daily life, and home.
If approved, you receive a conditional green card (marriages under 2 years) or a permanent green card (marriages over 2 years).
These are USCIS government fees only. Attorney fees are separate and vary by case complexity. Verify current fees at uscis.gov/feecalculator.
I-130 (Family Petition)
Establishes the qualifying family relationship
I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
Application for permanent residence
I-765 (Work Permit)
Employment authorization while case is pending
I-131 (Travel Document)
Advance parole for international travel during processing
Medical Exam (I-693)
Required physical exam by USCIS-designated doctor
Fees current as of early 2026. USCIS may adjust fees periodically. Biometrics fee of $85 may apply separately.
Relying on too little evidence
A marriage certificate alone is not sufficient. USCIS expects comprehensive documentation showing a shared life — finances, housing, photos, and more.
Inconsistencies between the application and the interview
What you write on your forms must match what you and your spouse say at the interview. Discrepancies — even minor ones — can raise red flags.
Traveling without advance parole
Leaving the United States while your adjustment of status application is pending, without an approved travel document, can result in abandonment of your case.
Missing the I-751 deadline
If you receive a conditional green card, you must file Form I-751 within the 90-day window before it expires. Missing this deadline can create serious complications.
Not consulting an attorney before filing
Small errors or missing documents can result in delays, requests for evidence, or denial. Early legal guidance can prevent costly mistakes.
As of 2026, the total timeline is approximately 12-33 months. The I-130 petition takes roughly 9.5-14 months, and the I-485 adjustment takes 8-16 months. Processing times vary by USCIS field office and individual circumstances.
USCIS looks for joint bank accounts, a shared lease or mortgage, utility bills in both names, joint tax returns, insurance policies listing each other, photos together over time, and affidavits from friends and family who know you as a couple. More evidence is better.
Yes. When you file I-485, you can also file I-765 for a work permit (Employment Authorization Document). This allows you to work legally while waiting for your green card.
No. Marriage to a U.S. citizen allows you to apply for a green card. After holding the green card for 3 years while still married, you can then apply for citizenship through naturalization.
Marriage green card services available to clients throughout the greater Columbus metro area:
Comprehensive 2026 guides for Columbus couples on the marriage-based green card process, interview expectations, and family-based immigration.
2026 guide for Columbus couples on marriage-based green cards — mandatory interviews, documentation, filing fees (~$3,005), and key policy changes.
Step-by-step guidance for navigating family-based immigration applications with recent policy updates.
Overstaying a visa triggers a 3- or 10-year reentry bar. This 2026 Columbus guide covers unlawful presence rules, penalties, and options that may still remain.
Next step for marriages under 2 years — converting a conditional green card to a 10-year card.
Income requirements the U.S. citizen spouse must meet to sponsor a green card.
Married abroad vs entering on a fiancé visa — which path fits your situation.
Received a Request for Evidence on your I-130 or I-485? Time-sensitive response strategy.
Bringing your foreign fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry — first step before adjusting status.
After 3 years on a marriage green card you may apply for naturalization.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your situation. We serve Columbus and all of Central Ohio.
Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not include confidential information in your message. Our intake form is powered by Clio, a secure legal practice management platform. View Clio's privacy policy.
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