If you're in the process of filing a Family Petition based on marriage in the United States and would like to know what might happen if you get divorced, here's what you need to know!
What happens if you get divorced before obtaining your Green Card?
The impact of a divorce between an immigrant and a citizen or permanent resident depends on the stage of the immigration process the marriage is in. If you divorce before obtaining permanent residency, this could have a significant impact on your immigration status and your future in the United States.
Cases and exceptions
- Divorce before obtaining a Green CardIf you are currently in the process of a marriage petition, but you have not yet been scheduled for an interview, and the beneficiary does not have permanent residency, your immigration process will be halted. This means you will lose eligibility to apply for a green card, which could lead to your deportation.
- Divorce after obtaining a Green Card If you divorce after obtaining permanent residency, the risk of deportation is lower. However, there may still be consequences for obtaining citizenship, or the waiting time for permanent residency if you are a conditional resident may increase from 3 to 5 years because you are not married.
- Divorce and Conditional Green CardIf you get divorced while you're on conditional residency, your immigration process will likely be affected. To avoid the consequences, you can:
- Submit Form I-751 to USCIS to request the removal of conditional residency due to marriage.
- Submit an exemption from the joint filing requirement.
- To prove that the marriage was in good faith.
Divorce and Green Card for dependents
Divorce can affect the immigration status of other family members who depend on the same immigration process as the immigrant spouse.
Exceptions for appealing a deportation
Demonstrate that they entered into a marriage in good faith and it was terminated due to a cause unrelated to the immigrant spouse.
The immigrant spouse could face extreme hardship if deported to their country of origin.
The immigrant spouse was a victim of extreme cruelty, physical or psychological abuse by the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse.
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