USCIS Rules, Simplified.

A Marriage Green Card is an immigrant visa that allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident to live and work anywhere in the United States.

Key Requirements:

• You must be legally married to a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Your marriage must be "bona fide" (real and not just for immigration benefits).

A K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa allows a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign partner to the United States. Once they arrive, you must get married within 90 days.

Key Requirements:

• The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen (Green Card holders cannot sponsor a fiancé).
• Both of you must be legally free to marry (all previous marriages legally terminated).
• You must have met each other in person at least once within the 2 years before filing the petition.

U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents can petition to bring certain family members to the United States.

• Who can a U.S. Citizen sponsor? Spouses, children (unmarried or married), parents (if the citizen is at least 21), and brothers/sisters (if the citizen is at least 21).
• Who can a Green Card Holder sponsor? Spouses and unmarried children. They cannot sponsor parents or siblings.

For relatives outside the U.S., the I-130 is the first step. Once approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing.

If you were married for less than two years when you got your Green Card, you were given a "Conditional" 2-year card. You must file to remove these conditions to get a permanent 10-year card.

The 90-Day Window:

USCIS requires Form I-751 to be filed jointly within the 90 days immediately before the 2-year Green Card expires. Failure to file on time may result in the automatic termination of conditional resident status.

Proof required:

USCIS requires documentary evidence demonstrating that the marriage was entered into in good faith during those two years. This generally includes joint tax returns, a joint mortgage or lease, joint bank statements, and birth certificates of any children born to you.

Naturalization is the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. To qualify, you must meet specific residency and personal requirements.

Basic Requirements:

• Time as a Resident: You must have had your Green Card for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to and living with a U.S. citizen).
• Physical Presence: You must have been physically inside the U.S. for at least half of that 5-year (or 3-year) period.
• Good Moral Character: This generally means having a clean criminal record and paying your taxes on time.

The Citizenship Test:

During your interview, the USCIS officer will test your basic ability to read, write, and speak English. You will also be asked up to 10 civics questions about U.S. history and government (you must get 6 right to pass).

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protects eligible individuals from deportation and provides them with a work permit.

Due to current court orders, USCIS is only processing DACA renewals for people who currently have, or previously had, DACA. Initial (first-time) applications are not being processed.

• When to renew: USCIS strongly recommends submitting your renewal request between 120 and 150 days before your current DACA expires to avoid a lapse in your work authorization.
• Forms required: You must submit Form I-821D, Form I-765 (for the work permit), and the I-765 Worksheet.

An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) allows you to legally work in the United States while your immigration case is pending.

• Who can apply? You can usually apply for a work permit if you have a pending Green Card application (I-485), pending Asylum case, or DACA.
• How long does it take? Processing times vary, but it typically takes anywhere from 3 to 8 months to receive your physical EAD card in the mail.
• Social Security Number: You can apply for your Social Security Number (SSN) directly on Form I-765. When your work permit is approved, the Social Security Administration will automatically mail your SSN card to you!

The U.S. government wants to ensure that new immigrants will not rely on public welfare. Therefore, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident must legally promise to financially support the immigrant.

The 125% Rule:

The sponsor must prove that their income is at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size. This is proven using recent Tax Returns (W-2s, 1040s, or IRS Tax Transcripts) and recent pay stubs.

What if the sponsor doesn't make enough?

If the main sponsor's income is too low, you can use a Joint Sponsor. A joint sponsor can be any U.S. citizen or Green Card holder over 18 who meets the income requirement. They do not have to be related to you.

If you are in the United States and have a pending Green Card application (Form I-485), leaving the country will automatically abandon your application and you will not be allowed back in.

To travel safely, you must apply for Advance Parole using Form I-131. If approved, you will receive a document allowing you to leave the U.S. and return without abandoning your Green Card case.

Form I-90 is used to replace or renew a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).

• When to Renew: If your 10-year Green Card is either expired or will expire within the next 6 months.
• When to Replace: If your card was lost, stolen, damaged, or has incorrect information due to a USCIS error or a legal name change.

If the relative you are sponsoring lives outside the United States, they cannot apply for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485).

Instead, after the initial I-130 petition is approved by USCIS, the case is sent to the Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC). Your relative must then file the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application.

Once the NVC processes the DS-260, the financial sponsorship documents (I-864), and civil documents, they will schedule an interview for your relative at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

These forms apply primarily to individuals holding A, G, or NATO diplomatic or international organization visas.

• Form I-508: If you hold diplomatic status and are applying for a Green Card, you must sign this form to waive your diplomatic rights, privileges, exemptions, and immunities (including tax exemptions).
• Form I-566: Used by dependents of diplomatic personnel to request employment authorization, or to change or adjust their immigration status.