How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card After Marrying a US Citizen?
The timeline for a marriage-based green card depends on whether you are inside the US or abroad, your entry history, and the current USCIS processing times. For most applicants in Los Angeles in 2026, the process takes between 12 and 24 months from start to finish.
Reviewed by Gracie Johnson, Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, State Bar of California, California State Bar #276536
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
If you are inside the US and eligible to adjust status (meaning you entered with a valid visa or were inspected at entry), the process is: File Form I-130 and Form I-485 together (concurrent filing). Attend a biometrics appointment. Receive an interview notice from the USCIS Los Angeles Field Office. Attend the adjustment of status interview. Receive your green card by mail. From filing to card in hand is typically 12 to 18 months at the Los Angeles field office in 2026.
If you entered without inspection (without a visa or papers), you generally cannot adjust status inside the US. The process typically involves: an approved I-130, National Visa Center (NVC) processing, an I-601A waiver application if you have been unlawfully present for more than 180 days, departure from the US, a consular interview in your home country, and re-entry with your immigrant visa. This process can take 18 to 36 months and involves time outside the US, which can be difficult for families.
These timelines can be affected by RFEs (requests for evidence), administrative processing holds, Name Check delays, and other factors. Having an attorney prepare a complete, well-documented application from the start is the best way to minimize delays.
Contact Gracie Johnson Law at (310) 554-4630 for a consultation on your specific situation and entry history.
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Also available in Spanish: ¿Cuánto Tarda Obtener la Tarjeta Verde Después de Casarse con un Ciudadano de EE. UU.?