Cambridge Immigration Law

icon 617.714.4375

Marriage-Based Immigration: Bringing Couples Together

Marriage-based immigration is often one of the most personal and important immigration processes a couple will ever go through. At Cambridge Immigration Law, we help you and your spouse understand your options, gather the right evidence, and move through the process with as little stress as possible, so you can focus on your relationship while we focus on the legal details. 

We work with couples from all backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ couples, couples living in different countries, and couples with complex immigration or family histories. Our approach is careful, thorough, and deeply respectful of the life you are building together.

Who We Assist

  • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents sponsoring a foreign-born spouse
  • Couples living together in the United States who may qualify for adjustment of status
  • Couples living abroad who need consular processing for a marriage-based visa
  • LGBTQ+ couples and families seeking a safe, affirming legal environment
  • Couples with prior immigration issues, visa overstays, or criminal history that may affect eligibility

Our Marriage-Based Immigration Services

We guide couples through the full range of marriage-based immigration processes, including:

  • Marriage-based green card applications through adjustment of status (for spouses in the U.S.) and consular processing (for spouses abroad)
  • Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to establish the marriage relationship
  • Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) for eligible spouses already in the U.S.
  • Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and related financial documentation
  • Work authorization and travel documents, when available, while the case is pending
  • Marriage interview preparation, including what to expect and how to present your evidence
  • Removal of conditions (Form I-751) for couples with a two-year conditional green card
  • Waivers and complex cases, where past immigration or criminal issues may affect approval

Our role is to help you avoid common mistakes, present a clear and well-documented case, and feel prepared at every step.

Common Marriage-Based Paths We Handle

Depending on where you and your spouse are and how your lives are structured, we may assist with:

  • Adjustment of status for spouses already in the United States
  • Consular processing for spouses living abroad, through a U.S. embassy or consulate
  • IR1/CR1 immigrant visas for spouses of U.S. citizens
  • Spousal sponsorship by lawful permanent residents
  • K-1 fiancé(e) visas and related adjustment of status after marriage
  • I-751 removal of conditions to transition from a two-year conditional green card to a 10-year green card

We will help you determine which path makes the most sense for your timing, travel plans, and long-term goals.

Starting a marriage-based case doesn’t have to feel confusing and risky. The right strategy, tailored to your specific history and relationship, can make a significant difference.

Reach out to Cambridge Immigration Law to schedule a consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your options in clear terms, and help you plan a path forward that supports both your immigration status and your life together.

Take the Next Step in Your Immigration Journey

Frequently Asked Marriage-Based Immigration Questions
1. How long does the marriage-based green card process take?

Processing times depend on where you live, which government office handles your case, and whether your spouse is inside or outside the United States. Both adjustment of status and consular processing can take many months or longer. During a consultation, we can share more current timelines based on recent experience with similar cases.

If your marriage is less than two years old at the time of approval or entry to the U.S., your spouse will generally receive a two-year conditional green card. Before that card expires, you must file Form I-751 to remove conditions and show that your marriage is genuine and ongoing. Our firm frequently assists couples with this step.

 

Many spouses who apply for adjustment of status in the United States can also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If approved, this card allows you to work legally while your green card case is pending. We can help you apply for work authorization at the same time as your main application when eligible.

Yes, in many situations, it’s helpful to speak with an attorney before you marry or file anything with the government. We can advise you on timing, whether a fiancé(e) visa or direct marriage-based case is better for you, and how your specific history may affect eligibility.

Prior arrests, convictions, visa overstays, or entries without inspection can affect a marriage-based green card case. It’s essential to discuss these issues honestly with your attorney before filing. We’ll review your history, evaluate risks, and advise you on possible waivers or alternative strategies where available.

Yes, military spouses may benefit from expedited processing and provisions like parole in place, which allows them to remain in the U.S. while adjusting status, reducing the risk of separation during deployments.

Yes. U.S. immigration law recognizes same-sex marriages and other LGBTQ+ marriages the same way it recognizes any other legally valid marriage. The key requirement is that the marriage is genuine, not entered into solely for immigration purposes. At Cambridge Immigration Law, we are a deliberately inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming firm, and we take care to provide a safe and respectful space for all couples.