Marriage-Based Permanent Residence

Green Card Through Marriage

A green card through marriage allows an eligible foreign spouse to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States. The correct process depends on how the couple reached the marriage stage and whether the foreign spouse is already inside or still outside the United States.

After a K-1 Fiancé Visa

If your fiancé enters the United States on a K-1 fiancé visa, you must marry within 90 days of arrival. After the marriage, your new husband or wife applies for permanent residence through Adjustment of Status.

The main green card application is Form I-485. This is the next major step after K-1 arrival and marriage.

Watch the full Green Card After K-1 Fiancé Visa video and read the transcript

Other Marriage-Based Paths

A U.S. citizen who marries a foreign spouse living outside the United States normally uses the spouse-visa process so the foreign spouse can immigrate as a permanent resident.

If the foreign spouse is already inside the United States after entering on another visa, whether Adjustment of Status is available depends on the facts of the case, the manner of entry, the visa used, and other immigration requirements.

Video Guide

Green Card After Fiancé Visa: What Happens After K-1 Arrival?

Fred Wahl explains what happens after a fiancé arrives in the United States on a K-1 visa, including the 90-day marriage requirement, Adjustment of Status, government filing fees, optional work and travel applications, and the path to permanent residence.

Published: September 3, 2026   |   Length: 3:26

For the complete video guide, transcript, and related information, visit the dedicated watch page: Green Card After K-1 Fiancé Visa.

View Full Video Transcript

Green Card After Fiancé Visa: What Happens After K-1 Arrival?

Hello, I’m Fred Wahl, the VisaCoach.

Today’s question is:

What happens after my fiancé arrives in the United States on a K-1 fiancé visa?

Many couples think the fiancé visa is the finish line.

But actually, the K-1 fiancé visa is only the first major step.

After your fiancé arrives in the United States, you must get married within 90 days.

Then, after the marriage, your new husband or wife applies for a Green Card through a process called Adjustment of Status.

This is the application that allows your spouse to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

The main application is Form I-485.

The current USCIS filing fee for the Green Card application is $1,440.

In addition, your spouse may also choose to apply for Work Authorization, so they can work while waiting for the Green Card.

That optional application currently has a USCIS fee of $260.

Your spouse may also choose to apply for Advance Parole, which is travel permission allowing them to leave and return to the United States while the Green Card case is pending.

That optional application currently has a USCIS fee of $630.

So the basic Green Card filing fee is $1,440.

And if you add both optional applications — Work Authorization and Advance Parole — the government fees increase from there.

The current timeline for the Green Card after a fiancé visa is about 12 months, although every case can be different depending on USCIS workload and the details of the case.

This is why it is so important to understand that the fiancé visa process does not end when your fiancé lands in the United States.

First, your fiancé enters the U.S.

Second, you get married within 90 days.

Third, you prepare and file the Adjustment of Status application.

And finally, your spouse receives permanent residency and the Green Card.

At VisaCoach, we help prepare the Green Card application after the fiancé visa.

Our preparation fee for the Adjustment of Status package is $1,095.

We help organize the forms, supporting documents, financial evidence, and optional work and travel applications when appropriate.

The goal is to help you move from fiancé visa arrival to permanent residency with a clear, organized application.

This was Fred Wahl, the VisaCoach.

If your fiancé has arrived in the United States, or will be arriving soon, now is the time to prepare for this next step.

If you would like to learn more about how VisaCoach helps couples prepare their Permanent Residency cases, click the video on your screen. Also subscribe to the VisaCoach channel for practical immigration guidance and updates.

The K-1 Path

What Happens After K-1 Arrival?

1. Enter the United States

Your fiancé enters the United States using the approved K-1 fiancé visa.

2. Marry Within 90 Days

The K-1 couple must marry within 90 days after the foreign fiancé arrives in the United States.

3. File Adjustment of Status

After the marriage, the foreign spouse files Form I-485 to apply for lawful permanent residence.

Government Filing Fees

Green Card Costs After a K-1 Fiancé Visa

The September 2026 video identifies the following USCIS filing fees for the applications discussed.

Form I-485

$1,440

The primary Adjustment of Status application used to request permanent residence.

Work Authorization

$260

An optional application for employment authorization while the green card case is pending.

Advance Parole

$630

An optional application for travel permission while the Adjustment of Status case is pending.

The basic green card filing fee discussed in the video is $1,440. Adding the optional Work Authorization and Advance Parole applications increases the total government fees.

Processing Time

How Long Does the Green Card Take After a Fiancé Visa?

In the September 2026 video, Fred explains that the current timeline for a green card after a fiancé visa is about 12 months. Actual processing time can vary depending on USCIS workload and the details of the individual case.

The important point is that K-1 approval and entry do not complete the immigration process. After arrival, the couple still needs to marry within 90 days and prepare the Adjustment of Status application before the foreign spouse can become a lawful permanent resident.

Other Marriage Situations

Other Ways Marriage Can Lead to a Green Card

Married While the Foreign Spouse Is Abroad

If a U.S. citizen marries a foreign national who is living outside the United States, the couple normally follows the spouse-visa process. After approval and entry with the immigrant visa, the foreign spouse becomes a permanent resident.

Married While Already in the United States

If a foreign national is already in the United States and marries a U.S. citizen, the ability to apply for a green card from inside the country depends on the circumstances of the entry and the immigration rules that apply to that person.

Getting married and qualifying to remain in the United States are separate issues. A marriage may be legally valid while the immigration process still requires careful review of the foreign spouse’s entry, visa history, and eligibility for Adjustment of Status.

Temporary Visas

Intent and Visa Restrictions Can Matter

A foreign national who entered the United States on a tourist, student, work, or other temporary visa may face additional immigration questions if the person later marries and wants to remain permanently.

Intent

Immigration authorities may consider whether the foreign national entered the United States intending to use a temporary visa for permanent immigration. The facts and circumstances of the individual case matter.

Visa-Specific Rules

Some visa categories have special restrictions or requirements that can affect whether a person can obtain permanent residence from inside the United States. The proper procedure depends on the specific immigration history.

VisaCoach Support

Help Preparing Adjustment of Status After a K-1 Visa

VisaCoach helps couples prepare the green card application after the fiancé visa. The preparation service described in the video is $1,095.

Support includes organizing the forms, supporting documents, financial evidence, and optional work and travel applications when appropriate. The goal is to help couples move from fiancé-visa arrival to permanent residency with a clear, organized application.

Watch the full Green Card After K-1 Fiancé Visa guide

Related Resources

More Help for Your Green Card Journey