English » U.S. Visa Services » Immigration Visa - permanent residence permit "green card" » Relatives/Spouses of U.S. citizens » Special regulations for spouses of U.S. citizens?
In case the spouse already has a valid resident status for the U.S. and is getting married to a U.S. citizen, an adjustment of status is possible. The spouse may stay in the U.S. until the petition is approved.
In case the spouse is outside the U.S. at the time of the wedding and a green card process is being initiated at the same time, the US will automatically assume that the alien will wait outside the U.S. until the petition is approved and the immigration visa can be issued. The consequence usually is a waiting period of several months for the spouses of U.S. citizens.