Once married, how does a foreign spouse go about obtaining their green card?

How soon can they get a green card and start looking for work? How much does it cost? Where do they go to get it, and how long does the processing take? Can anyone help?Once married, how does a foreign spouse go about obtaining their green card?
Petition for Alien Relative





For citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States to establish the relationship to certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States. USCIS processes Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, as a visa number becomes available. Filing and approval of an I-130 is only the first step in helping a relative immigrate to the United States. Eligible family members must wait until there is a visa number available before they can apply for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status to a lawful permanent resident.





Where to File :


All petitioners filing stand-alone Form I-130 must submit their petitions to the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center. Form I-130 petitions filed with the Chicago Lockbox will be routed to, and adjudicated at, the appropriate USCIS Service Center. This routing will be based on the petitioner鈥檚 place of residence in the United States.


Important: Any Form I-130 filed at an incorrect location will be rejected.





They will also have to file Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status








Filing Fee :


$930 plus a biometrics fee of $80; the fee total is $1,010. Exceptions listed below. There is no fee for applicants who are filing Form I-485 based on having been admitted to the United States as a refugee. Applicants 80 years of age or older are not charged a biometric fee; the fee total is $930. Applicants under 14 years of age: - Filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent have a fee total of $600 - Not filing with the I-485 application of at least one parent have a fee total of $930





Special Instructions :





Please note that, if you file Form I-485 to adjust your status as a permanent resident on or after July 30, 2007, no additional fee is required to also file an application for employment authorization on Form I-765 and/or advance parole on Form I-131. You may file these forms concurrently. If you choose to file the I-765 and/or I-131 separately after July 30, 2007, you must also submit a copy of your I-797C, Notice of Action, receipt as evidence of the filing of an I-485. If you filed your Form I-485 prior to July 30, 2007, you must pay the fees associated with Forms I-765 and/or I-131 when you file.

















Once married, how does a foreign spouse go about obtaining their green card?
The cost of the green card application is above $1000 at the moment. Including all the additional fees too (medical exam, fingerprinting etc).





It takes approx. one year after you file the petition for your husband. Your husband can only look for a job after the processed is finished then he gets his green card and an SSN gets assigned to him.





You have to apply at USCIS. They have offices and service centers throughout the country. For more info, visit www.uscis.gov. This is their official site.





http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/m鈥?/a>
Will the foreign spouse be in the USA when you are applying for their green card or not? That makes a BIG difference!