In order to bring your spouse (husband or wife) to live in the United States as a Green Card holder (permanent resident), you must be either a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder.

Can my wife stay in the US while waiting for Green Card?

The short answer is: It depends. Some people can stay in the U.S. for the entire period of applying for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence). With that visa, you can enter the U.S. and become a lawful permanent resident, or green card holder.

What happens when you marry a permanent resident?

A marriage green card allows the spouse of a U.S. citizen or green card holder to live and work anywhere in the United States. A green card holder will have “permanent resident” status until they decide — if they wish — to apply for U.S. citizenship, for which they become eligible after three years.

Do you become a permanent resident when you get married?

Do I automatically become a Permanent Resident when I marry a U.S. citizen? No. If you get married in the United States, you must apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjust status in order to become a Permanent Resident.

Who are the legal permanent residents of the United States?

Other major categories include economic and humanitarian immigrants, as well as immigrants from countries with relatively low levels of immigration to the United States.

Is there a waiting list for permanent resident spouses?

A waiting list develops because the number of green cards for spouses of U.S. permanent residents is limited. Before a green card becomes “immediately available” to you, the government must finish work on the case of everyone from your country who wants to get a green card through their permanent resident spouse and who applied before you did.

Can a spouse of a permanent resident get a green card?

One of the rules is that the U.S. must have a permanent resident “space” for you, available immediately. (USCIS calls this an available “visa” or “visa number,” but it means green card, too.) Unfortunately, as the spouse of a permanent resident, there probably won’t be room for you immediately when you get your I-130 approval.