← Blog & Resources
11/10/2025
en 2en

How Long Does It Take To Get A Green Card For Your Spouse In 2025?

Green CardSpouse VisaProcessing TimeI-130Consular ProcessingFamily ImmigrationVisa Bulletin December 2025

How Long Does It Take To Get A Green Card For Your Spouse In 2025?

Waiting for your spouse to join you in the United States can feel like an eternity. Whether you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, understanding the spouse Green Card processing time is crucial for planning your future together.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the realistic timelines for late 2025 (including December Visa Bulletin updates), explains the factors that influence your wait, and offers actionable tips to help speed up the process.

At New Horizons Legal in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we unite families every day. Our experienced immigration team understands the complexities of the system and the stress of separation. We are here to guide you through every step, making the marriage Green Card wait time less daunting.

If you are searching for a "Tulsa immigration lawyer near me," look no further. Contact us today at (918) 221-9438 or email oliviat@newhorizonslegal.com to schedule your consultation. We are located at 12 N Cheyenne Ave, Suite 349, Tulsa, OK 74103.

Table Of Contents

Spouse Green Card Processing Time: What You Need To Know

The spouse Green Card processing time varies significantly depending on your status and your spouse's location.

  • For U.S. Citizens: The process is generally faster, taking between 9 to 20 months. Spouses of citizens are considered "immediate relatives," meaning there are no annual caps on the number of visas available.
  • For Green Card Holders (Permanent Residents): The wait is significantly longer. Spouses fall into the F2A preference category, which has annual visa limits. Current backlogs mean minimal wait times of 3 to 5 years or more.

Key Factors Affecting Your Timeline

Several variables influence how long you will wait:

  1. Immigration Status: Citizens have priority over residents.
  2. Spouse's Location: If your spouse is already in the U.S. and eligible for adjustment of status, the process can be faster and allows for concurrent filing.
  3. USCIS Service Center: Caseloads vary by center.
  4. Visa Bulletin Movements: For F2A cases, your "Priority Date" must become current.
  5. Application Completeness: Requests for Evidence (RFEs) can add months to your timeline.

Key Takeaway: U.S. citizens generally see a timeline of 9-20 months, while Green Card holders currently face 3-5 years or more due to visa retrogression.

I-130 Processing Time For Spouses In 2025

The I-130 processing time is the first major hurdle. This petition proves your marriage is valid. For fiscal year 2025, processing times have fluctuated. While immediate relative petitions average 14.8 months, reports indicate a slowdown for I-130 petitions sponsored by green card holders, sometimes taking significantly longer.

USCIS officers continually review cases to ensure marriages are bona fide. Submitting strong evidence from the beginning is your best defense against delays.

What Happens During Processing?

During this period, USCIS performs background checks and verifies:

  • The validity of your marriage certificate.
  • Proof of a genuine relationship (commingling of finances, photos, etc.).
  • Legal termination of any prior marriages.
  • The petitioner's U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status.

If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), it effectively pauses your case, adding 2-3 months to the process.

Pro Tip: For U.S. citizens with spouses in the U.S., concurrent filing (submitting Forms I-130 and I-485 together) can significantly reduce the overall processing time.

Marriage Green Card Wait Time: Citizens Vs. Green Card Holders

Understanding the distinction between petitioner categories is vital for managing expectations.

Timeline For U.S. Citizens

  • Spouse in the U.S.: Total time is approx. 9-12 months (via Concurrent Filing).
  • Spouse Abroad (Consular Processing):
    • I-130 processing: 12-18 months.
    • NVC processing: 2-4 months.
    • Embassy interview: 2-6 months.
    • Total: 16-24 months.

Timeline For Permanent Residents (F2A) - December 2025 Update

Green Card holders face a tougher road due to visa limits. The December 2025 Visa Bulletin shows crucial updates for the F2A category:

  • Dates for Filing: Moved to November 22, 2025. If your priority date is before this, you can start the next steps of your application (like filing for Adjustment of Status if eligible).
  • Final Action Dates: Stalled at February 1, 2024 (for most countries). This means even if you apply, your green card cannot be approved until your priority date is earlier than this date.

Real-world wait: With Final Action dates lagging nearly two years behind the current date, expect a total wait of 4-6 years from start to finish.

Common Mistake: Do not assume I-130 approval means immediate travel for spouses of residents. The visa bulletin dictates when the next step can begin.

How To Speed Up Your Spouse Green Card Processing Time

While some waits are mandatory, proactive steps can minimize delays.

1. File a Perfect Application

Incomplete applications are the leading cause of delays. Ensure you include:

  • Joint bank statements and lease agreements.
  • Photos spanning the entire relationship.
  • Affidavits from friends and family.
  • Correctly formatted photos and forms.

2. Naturalize (Become a Citizen)

If you are a Permanent Resident, becoming a U.S. citizen is the most effective way to speed up the process. Once naturalized, you can upgrade your spouse's petition from F2A to "Immediate Relative," eliminating the visa bulletin wait entirely.

3. Request Expedited Processing (Limited Circumstances)

USCIS may expedite a case for severe financial loss, urgent humanitarian reasons (like critical illness), or clear USCIS error. This is rare and requires strong evidence, but it is a legitimate option if you qualify.

4. Writ of Mandamus (For Unreasonable Delays)

If your case has been stalled for years without a decision, a Writ of Mandamus is a lawsuit filed in federal court to force USCIS to act. This is a powerful tool for cases stuck in "administrative black holes" well beyond normal processing times.

5. Respond immediately to USCIS

If you receive an RFE or other notice, respond as quickly as possible—ideally within 2-3 weeks—to update your case status.

Common Delays In Green Card For Spouse Timeline

Avoid these pitfalls to keep your case moving:

  • Missing Documents: Always double-check the instructions. A missing signature or page can result in rejection.
  • Insufficient Evidence: A marriage certificate alone is rarely enough. You must prove the substance of the relationship.
  • Previous Violations: Overstays or other immigration issues can complicate cases. Consult with an attorney if this applies to you.
  • Administrative Processing: Sometimes embassies require additional background checks after the interview, which is unpredictable.

Required Documents For Faster Processing

Gather these documents before you begin:

  • Proof of Status: Birth certificate/Passport (Citizens) or Green Card (Residents).
  • Marriage Certificate: Certified copy.
  • Divorce Decrees: Proof that all prior marriages for both parties are legally terminated.
  • Financial Proof: Tax returns (last 3 years), W-2s, pay stubs, and potentially a joint sponsor if income is insufficient.
  • Passport Photos: Meeting USCIS specifications.
  • Form I-130A: Supplemental information for the beneficiary spouse.

Work And Travel While You Wait

Life doesn't stop while you wait. Here are your options:

  • Work Authorization: If adjusting status in the U.S., file Form I-765. An EAD (Employment Authorization Document) typically arrives in 3-5 months, allowing the beneficiary to work legally.
  • Travel Permission: File Form I-131 for Advance Parole. This allows travel abroad without abandoning the Green Card application. Crucial: Do not travel without this document if your application is pending.
  • Maintaining Status: Spouses of Green Card holders must maintain their own valid nonimmigrant status (e.g., F-1, H-1B) while waiting for their priority date.

What Happens After I-130 Approval

Approval is a great milestone, but not the finish line.

  • For Spouses in the U.S. (Citizens): Wait for your I-485 interview notice.
  • For Spouses Abroad: The case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) for document collection and fee payment, followed by the embassy interview.
  • For Spouses of Residents: You enter the "Visa Bulletin" waiting game until your priority date is current.

Get Expert Help With Your Spouse Green Card Case In Tulsa

Navigating the spouse Green Card processing time guidelines can be overwhelming, especially with the shifting Visa Bulletin dates. Don't risk years of separation due to simple errors.

At New Horizons Legal, we specialize in reuniting families. Our dedicated team will ensure your petition is strong, accurate, and expedited wherever possible.

Contact us today:

Let us handle the legal burden so you can focus on building your life together.

Book a consultationStart intake

Schedule Your Consultation

Immigration consultations available, subject to attorney review.

Related Articles

Family Reunification "” Spouses, Children, and Parents

familyI-130I-485
Read More →
How Long Does It Take To Get A Green Card For Your Spouse In 2025? | New Horizons Legal