Green Card

Green Card

A Green Card is a common term referring to Lawful Permanent Residency status of a foreign national. Many believe that you can bypass a Green Card and directly apply for US Citizenship. However, just because you marry a US Citizen or have a family member who is a US Citizen, that does not mean you can go directly to US Citizenship.


A Green Card filing demands that certain eligibility and documentary requirements be met in order to file a Green Card filing from USCIS or DOS. Eligibility is very important.


A Green Card can first be received in one of two locations:

  • Within the United States through the USCIS Adjustment of Status Process
  • Abroad/Outside of the United States through the DOS Consular Processing


A common recipient of a Green Card is:

  • A Spouse
  • A Parent of a US Citizen over the age of 21
  • A Child under the age of 21

There are many other qualifying relationships based on family, and even more options based on employment, family unity, etc.


Our Office is also proud to offer Immigration Guides for US Citizens and Foreign Spouses or Fiances for the following Countries:


We at Fickey Martinez Law Firm want to aid you in your immigration journey at a transparent and reasonable price. We act efficiently and effectively in our client’s cases, guiding the client throughout the filing process. Most of our Staff have personally seen or experienced the Immigration process. So, we know the stress and worry, but we also know how to overcome it.

Common Step for a Marriage-based Adjustment of Status (without an I-601 Waiver, PIP, or J1 Waiver)

Starting the AOS Filing

The Adjustment of Status (AOS) filing, at its core, adjusts someone's visa status to Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card). 


Starting the filing presumes (1) you are eligible, (2) visa overstay doesn't eliminate eligibility, (3) required civil documents are present, and (4) sufficient financial support is present.


The Immigrant Medical should also be completed prior to sending, and attached to the initial filing.

Receipt Notice and (possibly) Account Access Code

USCIS would provide an electronic notification of receipt (if the G-1145 was attached). USCIS may also provide eletronic access.

Biometric Appointment

Fingerprints are required for the background check, or if fingerprints are on file due to a prior USCIS Filing, the biometric appointment would be waived. This step begins the background check phase.

Employment Authorization and Advance Parole

The Employment Authorization and Advance Parole are provided AFTER the background check is completed. 


The Documents permit employment, driver's license, social security card, domestic travel, and (if advance parole is approved) international travel for humanitarian purposes. 

Green Card Interview

Either a Green Card interview occurs or it is waived and documentation is provided to prove the marriage.

Green Card Arrives in the mail

Finish line!!! The Next immigration filings may be:

  • I-751 in 2 years
  • I-90 in 10 years
  • N-400 in 3-5 years

Common Steps for a Marriage-based Consular Process (without an I-601A Waiver)

I-130 Petition: USCIS Establishing Familial Relationship

The I-130 Petition asks the US Government to make a Green Card available for a family member, like a Spouse, Child, or Parent. The filing is very "document heavy."


Thorough guidance on proving a Marriage-based I-130 can be found here:

Click here!

Immigrant Visa Case Creation: NVC Starts Processing

The National Visa Center (NVC) begins their case processing when the I-130 Petition is approved. The NVC Goal is to quickly prepare, review, and accept information and documents necessary for the future Immigrant Visa Interview.


More information found here:

Click here!

DS-260 and I-864: NVC Processing

The goal is for the NVC to Documentarily Qualify and send the Immigrant File abroad to the appropriate Embassy or Consulate.


More Information found here:

Click here!

Immigrant Visa Interview: Immigrant Medical, Attend Interview, and Approval

A lot of action needs to occur very quickly. More information found here specific to nearly every part of the world:

Click here!

Common Questions:

  • Can your Office Assist in an Immigration Case in any State?

    Yes, Our office can assist in a US immigration filing in any US State, Territory, and Abroad at any US Embassy or Consulate. 


    In fact, our office has numerous clients all over the nation and world due to a high volume of our clients being Active Duty Service Members and DOD Contractors at numerous Domestic and Foreign Military Bases.

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  • What Documentation is required?

    Every Immigration filing has a significant document requirement. A checklist based on case type can be seen here:


    https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/immigration-checklist-what-our-law-office-generally-recommends

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  • Can you help with the Foreign Birth Certificate?

    No, but our office does have many guides on how to request many foreign birth certificates and what the US Immigration Standards may be (important for countries where there are numerous versions of birth certificates).


    The Common Guides can be seen here:


    https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/our-guidance-on-many-frequent-foreign-birth-certificates

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  • How Fast is your Office Turnaround?

    Fast! 


    If all documents are provided, payment made, info given, and forms signed, electronic filings are usually filed within 1 week and larger immigration filings are usually submitted within 1 month.


    For Example: Adjustment of Status requires a Medical and USCIS Doctors can take 1-3 weeks to create the sealed immigrant medical).

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  • Are there Active Duty Service Member or Veteran Immigration Options?

    Yes, quite a few options. 


    As an immigration law firm located near large military installations, such as:

    • Camp Lejeune
    • Camp Pendleton
    • Fort Bragg / Pope Air Force Base
    • MCAS Cherry Point
    • MCAS New River
    • Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

    Our office has considerable experience. If you have questions, please feel free to call and speak with one of our staff to get your questions answered and to set up a consultation with the attorney. We will see what military options might be available.

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Have a Question? Contact Us!

To further our transparency, below is a General Price Estimate/Fee Schedule
(Last Updated January 1, 2025):


Adjustment of Status: Green Card processing for a Spouse, Minor Child or Parent inside the US:

  • Government Fee: Filing Fee is $2065-$2955 (Fee Varies for the I-130, I-485, I-765, and I-131)
  • Law Firm Fee: $7100

Consular Process: Green Card processing for a Spouse, Minor Child or Parent outside the US:

  • Government Fee:
  • I-130: $625-$675, and
  • DS-260, I-864, and Immigrant Fee: $680
  • Law Firm Fee:
  • Consular Process Step 1: $3350, and
  • Consular processing Step 2: $3350-$3500


I-751 Removal of Condition: I have a 2-year Green Card and I need a 10-year Green Card

  • Government Fee: $750
  • Law Firm Fee: $2500


I-90: I have a 10-year Green Card, but it was Lost, Stolen, Destroyed, Expiring, or needs Updating

  • Government Fee: $415-$465
  • Law Firm Fee: $2000

Green Card Services for Illegal Entries into the US:


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