Green Card Procedures for Spouses From Specific Countries

While the basic rules on getting a green card for a husband or wife from a country outside the United States are the same for virtually everyone, it's worth looking into certain country-specific details. You'll want to find out, for example, what qualifies as a valid marriage if you actually held, or will hold the marriage ceremony in that country; which U.S. consulate will handle the immigrant visa interview; and more.

If you are marrying someone from Canada, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are marrying someone from Colombia, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are marrying someone from the Dominican Republic, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are marrying someone from Ethiopia, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is marrying someone from Kenya, and you would like to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S.

If you are marrying someone from Nigeria, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are marrying someone from Bangladesh, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are marrying someone from China, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are marrying someone from India, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is marrying someone from Japan, here's how to sponsor your Japanese husband or wife for lawful U.S. residence.

If you are marrying someone from the Philippines, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card, learn more about the requirements and procedures.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is marrying someone from South Korea, here's how to sponsor your husband or wife for lawful U.S. residence.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is marrying someone from Vietnam, here's how to sponsor your new husband or wife for a lawful U.S. residence.

If you are marrying someone from Indonesia, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is marrying someone from France, and you would like to sponsor your French husband or wife for a U.S.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is marrying someone from Germany, here's how to sponsor your German husband or wife for lawful U.S. residence.

If you are marrying someone from Poland, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S.

If you are marrying someone from Russia, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are marrying someone from Ukraine, and plan to sponsor your new husband or wife for a U.S. green card (lawful permanent residence), here is some important legal and practical information.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is marrying someone from the United Kingdom, and you would like to sponsor your British husband or wife for lawful U.S. residence.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is marrying someone from Italy, and you would like to sponsor your Italian husband or wife for a U.S.

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

Nolo's Immigration Bundle packs almost everything you need to know about U.S. immigration laws and procedures into three compact volumes.
Green cards, visas, and more: What every immigrant needs to know

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

More Legal Issues

Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.

Learn About Our Team

Learn About Our Team

Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.

Need a Lawyer? We Can Help

Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.

01

Describe Your Case

Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.

02

Get Connected

We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.

03

Hire an Attorney

Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.

Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On

NEED IMMIGRATION HELP ?
Talk to an Immigration attorney.
We've helped 85 clients find attorneys today.
How It Works
  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you