Conditional Green Card for Foreign Spouse, and Remove Conditions on Residence

Question:

I married my wife who came here with a K1 visa, and she just received a Conditional Green Card from USCIS. What happens next for her residence in US?

Answer:

The foreign spouse will receive a Conditional Green Card. The conditional green card is valid for only two years. The married couple together must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) during the 90-day period immediately before the expiration of the conditional green card, in order to “remove the conditions” and obtain a Permanent Green Card.

Upon receiving the Form I-751, USCIS will re-evaluate the couple’s marriage to make sure it is authentic, and that the couple did not marry only for immigration purposes. After USCIS approval, the spouse will receive an permanent green card that is valid for 10 years.

In most cases, renewing this 10-year green card is a simple process, and it does not require the couple to prove the authenticity of their marriage again.