Can I Marry a U.S. Citizen and Get a Green Card While on an F-1 Visa?

✅ Yes! If you marry a U.S. citizen while on an F-1 visa, you can apply for a marriage-based green card. This is one of the fastest ways for an international student to become a permanent resident.

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🔹 Step-by-Step Process: Marriage-Based Green Card for F-1 Students

1️⃣ Get Married to a U.S. Citizen

✔ You must be in a genuine (bona fide) marriage, not just for immigration purposes.
✔ You can marry while still on your F-1 visa or even during OPT.

📌 You can apply even if your F-1 visa has expired, as long as you entered the U.S. legally!

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2️⃣ File for a Marriage-Based Green Card (I-130 & I-485)

Once married, you can file for a green card inside the U.S. (Adjustment of Status).

✔ File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) – This proves your marriage is real.
✔ File Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) – This allows you to stay in the U.S. while waiting for the green card.
✔ File Form I-765 (Work Permit) & I-131 (Travel Permit) – So you can work and travel while waiting.

📌 Processing time: 6-12 months (faster than employment-based green cards!).

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3️⃣ Attend the Green Card Interview

✔ Both you and your spouse must attend a USCIS interview.
✔ You’ll need to prove your marriage is real with photos, joint bank accounts, leases, etc.
✔ If USCIS is convinced, you’ll get a 2-year conditional green card (if married less than 2 years).

📌 If married for 2+ years when approved, you’ll get a 10-year green card!

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4️⃣ Remove Conditions After 2 Years (If Needed)

✔ If you got a 2-year conditional green card, file Form I-751 to remove conditions before it expires.
✔ After this, you’ll get a 10-year permanent green card.

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🔹 Can You Apply for a Green Card If Your F-1 Visa Is Expired?

✅ Yes, as long as you entered the U.S. legally. You can adjust status from F-1 to green card even if your I-20 expired.

🚨 BUT: If you entered illegally (e.g., crossed the border without a visa), you cannot adjust status inside the U.S.

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🔹 What If You Marry a Green Card Holder (Not a U.S. Citizen)?

✔ You can still get a marriage-based green card, but you must wait for a visa number (can take 1-2 years).
✔ You cannot adjust status inside the U.S. unless your visa is still valid—otherwise, you must apply from outside the U.S.

📌 Marrying a U.S. citizen is the fastest way to get a green card!

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🟢 Summary: Can You Marry a U.S. Citizen and Get a Green Card on an F-1 Visa?

✔ Yes, you can apply for a green card after marriage while on an F-1 visa.
✔ You can apply even if your F-1 visa expired, as long as you entered the U.S. legally.
✔ Processing time is 6-12 months.
✔ You must prove your marriage is real at the USCIS interview.

🚀 Best Strategy: Apply for a green card ASAP after marriage to avoid visa expiration issues.

🔥 Need help preparing for the marriage-based green card process? 😊