Two-Year vs. Ten-Year Marriage Green Card Explained

It depends on the length of the marriage

What matters is how long you were married on the day you became a permanent resident. That is the I-485 approval date, or the date you entered the United States on an immigrant visa.

• Married less than two years on that day: you get conditional residence, with a card valid for two years.
• Married two years or more on that day: you get permanent residence, with a card valid for ten years.

With a two-year card: file Form I-751

To keep your residence, you and your spouse generally file Form I-751 together during the 90 days right before your card expires. You may be able to file alone, with a waiver, in some situations, such as divorce or abuse.

If you do not file, your conditional residence can end. Mark the 90-day window on your calendar now.

Card date and status are not the same thing

The date printed on the card and your immigration status are different things. A ten-year card that expires still means you are a permanent resident, but you need to renew the card. A two-year card is different. The conditions must be removed with Form I-751.

Evidence for Form I-751

Form I-751 asks for proof that the marriage was real, such as a shared home, shared money and life together during the conditional period. Our I-751 evidence guides explain how to organize it.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current USCIS instructions for your form, or ask an immigration attorney about your own case.

Frequently asked questions