There are two marriage paths and they differ a lot: spouses of U.S. citizens do not wait for the Visa Bulletin — their visas are unlimited — while spouses of green card holders do, in the family second preference, category F2A.
Spouses of U.S. citizens: no wait for a visa number
A citizen's spouse is an "immediate relative." USCIS: "Immigrant visas for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are unlimited, so the visas are always available" (USCIS).
- In the U.S. after a lawful entry: Form I-130 and Form I-485 can be filed together, or I-485 after I-130 is approved.
- Abroad: after I-130 approval the case goes to the National Visa Center and a consular interview.
- Married less than two years: the green card is conditional for two years; file Form I-751 in the 90 days before it expires (USCIS).
Spouses of green card holders (F2A): wait for the priority date
After Form I-130, the priority date must be current on the Visa Bulletin before filing I-485 or interviewing abroad. See the F2A category page. If the green card holder naturalizes while the case is pending, the spouse becomes an immediate relative and no longer waits.
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This page is not legal advice
See a lawyer about prior visa denials or unlawful presence, criminal records, or anything that could make the marriage look not bona fide.