Marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder

This page is for Turkish citizens who are married to or considering marrying a U.S. citizen or green card holder. It compares the three ways used for the spouse to settle in the United States (an immigrant visa through Form I-130, adjustment of status from within the United States, and a K-3 visa). You will also find how to document that the marriage is genuine, the 2026 fees, and filing addresses. For all petition details, see 3.2 Green card through family; if you are not yet married, see 2.6 Fiancé(e) visa (K-1).

• Only a U.S. citizen or green card holder (lawful permanent resident) can file an immigrant petition for a spouse.
• Spouses of people in the United States on a temporary visa (e.g., H-1B, F-1) come with a dependent visa. See 2.7 Spouse and child (dependent) visas.
• The spouse of a U.S. citizen is considered an “immediate relative.” A visa is always available in this category; there is no waiting line.
• The spouse of a green card holder is in the F2A category. There is an annual quota, and applicants wait according to the priority date. For current dates, see 7.6 Family reunification.
• You must be at least 18 years old and have your principal residence (domicile) in the United States to sign Form I-864.
• “Spouse” means a person who is legally married. Merely living together does not constitute marriage. Same-sex spouses have the same rights.

• According to USCIS, the validity of a marriage is generally determined under the law of the place where the marriage took place. An official marriage legally solemnized in Türkiye or a U.S. state is valid.
• USCIS does not recognize polygamous marriages, relationships that are not considered marriages (civil unions), proxy marriages that were not consummated, or marriages entered into for immigration purposes.
• In Türkiye, only an official civil marriage is valid; an imam marriage is not considered a legal marriage. For Turkish documents, see 7.4 Using a marriage performed in Türkiye in the United States.

• Path 1: I-130 and an immigrant visa in Ankara (consular processing)
  • Who it is for: a U.S. citizen or green card holder whose spouse lives in Türkiye.
  • How it works: The spouse in the United States files Form I-130. After USCIS approves it, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC), and from there to the Embassy in Ankara.
  • The spouse of a citizen receives an IR1 or CR1 visa. If the marriage is less than 2 years old upon entry to the United States, the visa is “conditional” (CR1).
  • Result: The spouse enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident. The green card arrives by mail.
• Path 2: I-130 and I-485 (adjustment of status from within the United States)
  • Who it is for: a spouse who entered the United States lawfully (was inspected and admitted or was granted parole).
  • The spouse of a U.S. citizen may file I-130 and I-485 at the same time.
  • The spouse of a green card holder files I-130 first. They may file I-485 only when a visa number is available. As a general rule, they must also have maintained lawful status in the United States continuously.
  • For details, see 3.8 Filing path: from within the United States or from Türkiye?
• Path 3: K-3 visa (only for the spouse of a U.S. citizen)
  • After filing Form I-130 or together with it, the citizen also files Form I-129F. There is no fee for an I-129F filed for a K-3.
  • Purpose: to allow the spouse to wait for the I-130 decision in the United States.
  • According to USCIS, the processing time for an I-129F is often close to that of an I-130. If the I-130 is approved first or at the same time, a K-3 can no longer be issued; the spouse applies directly for an immigrant visa. For this reason, the Department of State rarely issues K-3 visas.
  • A person entering with a K-3 is granted a 2-year period of stay. Employment authorization comes with the status; Form I-765 is filed for the card.
  • The period of stay may be extended in 2-year increments with Form I-539 within the 120 days before it expires.
  • The spouse’s unmarried children under 21 receive K-4 visas.
• If you are not yet married: The fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen enters with a K-1 visa and marries in the United States within 90 days. Green card holders cannot bring a fiancé(e). See 2.6 Fiancé(e) visa (K-1).

1. Your spouse in the United States files Form I-130A (supplemental information about the spouse) together with Form I-130. In Part 4 (question 61 or 62), they select consular processing only.
2. After USCIS approval, the case goes to the NVC. The NVC sends fee and document instructions.
3. Pay the fees; complete the DS-260; upload the I-864 and your civil documents.
4. The NVC schedules the interview. First, have a medical examination with the panel physician in Ankara. See 3.9 Immigrant visa interview (Ankara).
5. If the visa is issued, pay the USCIS immigrant fee ($235) before departing. The green card will not be produced until the fee is paid.
6. Do not open the sealed packet; only the immigration officer at the border may open it. An immigrant visa is generally valid for 6 months.
7. Do not quit your job or dispose of your property before receiving the visa.

• For a spousal petition, USCIS requests documents showing that the marriage was entered into in good faith (bona fide marriage). According to the list on the I-130 page:
  • documents for property you own jointly
  • a joint lease showing that you live together at the same address
  • documents showing that you have combined your financial resources (e.g., a joint account)
  • birth certificates of your children together
  • affidavits from third parties who personally know about your marriage
  • other documents showing that the marital relationship continues
• Each affidavit should state the affiant’s full name and address, date and place of birth, and how they know about your marriage.
• Include a copy of the marriage certificate and, if applicable, a divorce decree, annulment decree, or death certificate showing that previous marriages ended.
• Every document in a foreign language must include a full English translation and a statement from the translator certifying that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent in both languages.
• Do not send original documents unless requested; send copies.
• The law imposes additional restrictions on marriages entered into while removal proceedings are pending in immigration court. If this applies to you, consult an immigration attorney.

• If your marriage is less than 2 years old on the day your spouse becomes a lawful permanent resident (upon entry with an immigrant visa or approval of the I-485), the card is valid for 2 years and is conditional. The same rule applies to people who enter with K-3 and K-4 visas.
• To remove the condition, you file Form I-751 jointly within the 90 days before the card expires. If you miss the deadline, your status ends. Details: 3.10 Conditional green card.

• Form I-130: $675 (paper) or $625 (online).
• Form I-129F (for K-3, based on your I-130): $0.
• Form I-485 (age 14 and over): $1,440 (paper) or $1,390 (online).
• Immigrant visa application fee (DS-260): $325 per person.
• I-864 review fee: $120 (only if reviewed at the NVC).
• K visa (K-3/K-4) application fee: $265.
• USCIS immigrant fee: $235.
• Form I-751 (removal of conditions): $750 (paper) or $700 (online).
• Medical examination, vaccinations, translation, and document expenses are paid separately.
• USCIS amounts are taken from the G-1055 fee schedule dated October 7, 2026. For a paper filing, you pay by card (Form G-1450) or from a U.S. bank account (Form G-1650).
• Processing time varies by person. According to the Department of State, processing time cannot be predicted with certainty in advance. Some cases are delayed because instructions were not followed or the sponsor did not meet the I-864 requirements.

• USCIS online account — I-130 may be filed online
  • Web: my.uscis.gov
• USCIS lockbox (I-130 by mail) — the address varies depending on the state where you live and whether you are filing the I-485 at the same time
  • Full list: I-130 mailing addresses
  • A U.S. citizen living abroad files with the Chicago lockbox or online. In limited circumstances, they may also file with a U.S. embassy for an immediate relative.
• USCIS Dallas Lockbox — Form I-129F for K-3
  • Mail (USPS): USCIS, Attn: I-129F, P.O. Box 660151, Dallas, TX 75266-0151
  • Courier address: I-129F page
• USCIS Contact Center
  • Phone: +1 800 375 5283 (TTY +1 800 767 1833); from outside the United States +1 212 620 3418
  • Live assistance: Monday–Friday, 08:00–20:00 (U.S. Eastern Time)
• National Visa Center (NVC) — visa stage of the approved petition
  • Inquiry form: NVC Public Inquiry Form
• U.S. Embassy Ankara — all immigrant visa interviews in Türkiye
  • Address: Çukurambar Mahallesi, 1480 Sokak No: 1, 06530 Çankaya / Ankara
  • Phone: +90 312 294 00 00

• Failing to include Form I-130A with the I-130 filed for a spouse.
• Selecting both options in Part 4 of the I-130 or leaving it blank.
• Sending only photographs and affidavits without including financial documents showing a shared life.
• Assuming an imam marriage is an official marriage; failing to provide an official marriage certificate.
• Filing a separate I-130 for the spouse’s children too late; missing the K-4 or immigrant visa route.
• Confusing I-130 approval with status. Approval alone does not grant the right to remain or work in the United States.
• Missing the 90-day I-751 deadline for a conditional card.

• I am a green card holder; will my spouse’s case speed up if I become a citizen? Yes. Your spouse moves from F2A to the immediate relative (IR) category. If the case is at the NVC, send the NVC a copy of the information page of your U.S. passport or your naturalization certificate. You must file a separate petition for your children; for details, see 7.6 Family reunification.
• My spouse is in the United States on a tourist visa. Can they file I-485? The spouse of a U.S. citizen may file I-130 and I-485 together if they entered lawfully. Consult an immigration attorney because your visa type and purpose of entry may affect the outcome. See 2.8 Adjustment of status.
• K-3 or a direct immigrant visa? K-3 is optional. According to USCIS, in most cases the I-130 is approved first or at the same time, so the spouse receives an immigrant visa directly.
• What happens to my case if my spouse abuses me? An abused spouse may apply in their own name independently of their spouse. See 7.7 Domestic violence.

• Form I-130 (PDF)
• Form I-130 instructions (PDF)
• Form I-130A, supplemental information for spouse (PDF)
• Form I-129F (PDF)
• Form I-129F instructions (PDF)
• Form I-864, financial sponsorship (PDF)
• Form I-485 (PDF)
• USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (PDF)
• Rights and protections brochure – Turkish (PDF)
• USCIS processing times