Marriage-based US Green Card guide for Thai citizens
Wondering how to obtain a marriage-based U.S. Green Card as a Thai citizen? The marriage-based U.S. Green Card process is quite tedious, and it would be wise to familiarise yourself with it prior to beginning your application. This guide aims to help Thai nationals begin the marriage-based U.S. Green Card application process. We’ll cover essential information, such as marriage-based U.S. Green Card eligibility, applying from an embassy or consulate in Thailand, and estimated costs and processing times.
Who is eligible for a marriage-based U.S. Green Card?
Before we dive into any specific details, let’s make certain that you are eligible to apply for a marriage-based U.S. Green Card. You may only apply for a marriage-based Green Card if you are currently married to or plan to marry a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) in a marriage that is legally recognised by the U.S. government.
For the marriage to be legally recognised by the U.S. government, it must:
- Have been officially recognised by the government in which the marriage took place: The marriage can take place in Thailand or another country outside of the United States, as long as the couple obtains a marriage certificate or another form of legal recognition from the country’s government.
- Be legitimate: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) carefully evaluates all marriage-based Green Card applications for fraudulent activity. USCIS stipulates that the marriage must be “bona fide”—meaning genuine—for applicants to be eligible. Both parties will need to provide evidence of a bona fide marriage.
- Be between two parties: In the United States, marriages between more than two parties are not legal; therefore, these types of marriages are not eligible for immigration benefits.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for a marriage-based U.S. Green Card, keep reading to learn more about how to apply.
How to apply for a marriage-based U.S. Green Card from Thailand
The application for a marriage-based U.S. Green Card may be carried out at a local U.S. embassy or consulate in Thailand. This process is referred to as “consular processing.” Follow these basic steps to apply for a marriage-based U.S. Green Card through consular processing:
Step 1: File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with USCIS.
The spouse who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (the petitioner) must file Form I-130 with USCIS on behalf of the spouse who is seeking a U.S. Green Card (the beneficiary).
Step 2: Receive I-797 receipt notice from USCIS.
This step signals that USCIS has received Form I-130 and processing has begun.
Step 3: Wait for National Visa Center (NVC) processing.
After USCIS processes Form I-130, it will be sent to the NVC for further processing.
Step 4: Attend a visa interview at your local U.S. embassy or consulate in Thailand.
You’ll need to schedule the interview online through the embassy’s or consulate’s website. Visa interview wait times can be significant, so it is crucial to plan ahead for this step.
Step 5: Receive an immigrant visa.
After your interview, a decision will be made. If the decision is favourable, you will receive an immigrant visa to enter the United States.
Step 6: Receive a Green Card.
After arriving in the United States, you will receive a Green Card. This document is typically delivered via mail.
What is the cost and processing time of a marriage-based Green Card?
Since each individual case is different, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cost and processing time of a marriage-based U.S. Green Card. In general, you can expect to pay more than $1,000 (USD) and wait several months or years for a Green Card. Processing times and costs are largely dependent on USCIS’s current workload and the volume of marriage-based Green Card applications.
For more insight into current marriage-based U.S. Green Card costs and processing times, we recommend visiting the full, comprehensive marriage-based Green Card guide. This guide is enough to help get you started, but the comprehensive guide has specific details that will help you from beginning to end of the marriage-based Green Card application process. Here, you can also find information about a licensed immigration attorney who can provide legal support for marriage-based Green Card cases.
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