How Long Does It Take for a UK Spouse to Get a Green Card After Marrying a U.S. Citizen?
If you’re a British citizen engaged or married to a U.S. citizen, one of the biggest questions you likely have is: “How long will it take for my UK spouse to get a green card?”
At Khunkhun Law, this is the most common question we hear from our UK-to-USA transatlantic couples, and for good reason. You’re planning your future, making life-changing decisions, and want to be together in the United States as soon as legally possible.
The timeline for a UK spouse to obtain a U.S. green card depends largely on the immigration pathway you choose, either consular processing (when the UK spouse is living in the UK or somewhere else outside of the U.S.) or adjustment of status (from within the U.S.). This blog offers a complete breakdown of the process, including average wait times, step-by-step timelines, and real-world scenarios that affect how long it all takes. Whether you're deciding between the U.S. fiancé visa (K-1) or getting married and applying as a UK spouse, we’re here to help you make the best decision—legally and strategically.
“I used Khunkhun Law for my I 90 green card process, and they were TRULY incredible throughout. Even while we were living and handling everything from London, the process felt smooth, clear and completely stress free.”
Two Pathways for a UK-Based Partner to Obtain a U.S. Green Card
1. Consular Processing (UK Spouse Living in the UK)
If the British spouse is still in the United Kingdom, then consular processing is the standard route. The U.S. citizen spouse files an I-130 petition with USCIS, and once approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to the U.S. Embassy in London for the immigrant visa interview.
Average Timeline: 18 months and step-by-step Consular Processing Timeline
Filing the I-130 Petition: 14 months (as of November 2025)
Case Transfer to NVC: 1–2 months
Interview at U.S. Embassy in London: Scheduled within approximately 3-4 months, depending on their backlog
Visa Issuance and Entry to the U.S.: 1–2 weeks
Green Card Mailed After U.S. Entry: 4–12 weeks
Best for:
UK-based couples who are married or about to get married
Couples who prefer to marry in the UK or have already done so, or anywhere else in the world. It doesn’t matter where the marriage occurs, as long as the marriage is legal in the jurisdiction it occurs in
UK partners who are not currently in the U.S.
2. Adjustment of Status (UK Spouse Already in the U.S. Legally)
If your British spouse is already in the U.S. legally (e.g., on F-1, L-1, or H-1B), and you get married while they’re here, you may be eligible for adjustment of status (AOS). This allows the UK spouse to stay in the U.S. and adjust to permanent resident status without leaving the country. Keep in mind that as of early 2025, we do not recommend that anyone apply for an adjustment of status if it involves your overstaying your visa. This basically means that if you are on an ESTA or a B1/B2, you won’t be able to adjust your status without overstaying your visa or ESTA. In the current immigration climate in the U.S., it is not advisable to overstay your visa under any conditions. We do have clients who want to file despite the risk of overstay, and we do file these cases, but it’s against the advice of counsel.
Average Timeline: 3-8 months and step-by-step Adjustment of Status Timeline
Concurrent Filing of I-130 + I-485: Initial stage with Work & Travel Permits (EAD/AP)
Biometrics Appointment: 1 month after filing
Work & Travel Permits (EAD/AP): 3 months, and 5 months respectively
Interview Notice: Typically, around 3-8 months after filing
Green Card Approval: Shortly after the interview
Keep in mind that once the adjustment of status case is filed, the UK national spouse is NOT allowed to leave the U.S. This is a condition to filing the case unless you apply for advance parole travel permission which takes about 6 months to be approved as of the date of this blog.
Best for:
British spouses who entered the U.S. legally
Couples who want to avoid international travel or long-distance separation
Those who marry while the UK partner is visiting or working/studying in the U.S. and has a legal basis to stay here without overstaying their visa
Which Route Is Faster: Spouse Visa or Fiancé Visa?
3. Fiancé Visa (K-1) Route: Longer Overall Timeline
The K-1 fiancé visa allows your UK-based partner to enter the U.S. to marry within 90 days. After marriage, you must then apply for the green card via adjustment of status, which introduces a second processing phase.
Total Average Timeline and step-by-step K-1 Visa to Green Card Timeline
Form I-129F Processing: 6–8 months
Visa Interview at U.S. Embassy in London: 1–2 months after approval - If you do the calculations, you can see that this is a faster way to enter the U.S.
Arrival in the U.S. and Marriage: Within 90 days of entry
Adjustment of Status (Green Card Filing): Filed after marriage
Adjustment of Status Processing: 2-6 months
Result:
The Fiancé visa is often more costly and longer due to the fact that it’s like a hybrid consular processing and adjustment of status case, although the UK national spouse is able to reunite with their U.S. spouse faster by getting to the U.S. on the K-1 visa faster than via the consulate processing process.
Unique Scenarios That Can Affect Timeline
Scenario A: Previous U.S. Visa History
A UK spouse who previously held a student visa (F-1) or work visa (H-1B) may see faster processing, especially if already in the U.S. legally and eligible for adjustment of status.
Scenario B: Embassy Backlogs
In rare cases, interview backlogs at the U.S. Embassy in London can delay consular processing. However, UK citizens typically experience minimal delays compared to other countries.
Scenario C: USCIS RFE (Request for Evidence)
USCIS may issue a request for additional evidence if relationship documents are lacking. This can pause your case for 30–90+ days, depending on your response.
Scenario D: Waivers for Past Immigration Issues
If the UK spouse previously overstayed a visa or violated immigration terms, a waiver may be required, extending the timeline.
Scenario E: Entry Intent Issues (for AOS)
If your UK-based partner entered the U.S. on ESTA or B1/B2 and married too soon, it could trigger concerns about fraudulent intent, delaying or risking the case. Legal strategy is critical in these scenarios.
What Works Best for Couples Who Want to Stay Legal?
The ideal path is the one that allows you to stay together while staying within the bounds of U.S. immigration law.
At Khunkhun Law, we typically recommend:
Consular Processing: If your UK spouse is abroad and you’re newly married or planning a wedding in the UK
Adjustment of Status: If your UK partner is already in the U.S. and entered legally and did not enter on their visa with the intent of getting married to their U.S. Citizen spouse.
Fiancé Visa: If you want to get married in the U.S. and your partner is still in the UK, but is okay with a more involved, two-step process
Each case is different. Our job is to help you choose the most efficient, lawful path based on your timeline, location, and goals.
Real Timeline Success Stories from British-American Couples
Hannah & Luke – Navigating the U.S. Spouse Visa from Manchester to the U.S.
Hannah, a graphic designer based in Manchester, and Luke, a software engineer from Boston, first met during a technology conference in London. Their shared love of art and innovation sparked an instant connection, and over the next year, they maintained a long-distance relationship, flying between Manchester and Boston to spend time together.
When they became engaged, Hannah and Luke chose to marry in London so they could celebrate with close friends from both sides of the Atlantic. Once married, they began planning Hannah’s move to the United States, but quickly realized how complex and unpredictable the U.S. spouse visa process can be, even for British citizens. They wanted to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure Hannah could join Luke in the U.S. as smoothly as possible.
Our legal team stepped in to guide them through each phase of consular processing. We reviewed their eligibility, identified the strongest evidence to prove the authenticity of their marriage, prepared all required forms and supporting documents, and coached them on what to expect during the National Visa Center (NVC) stage and the interview at the U.S. Embassy in London. Throughout the process, Hannah and Luke valued the proactive communication and personalized strategy tailored to their timeline and needs.
After applying, Hannah’s CR-1 spousal visa was approved in just over a year and a half. She has now relocated from Manchester to the United States, where she and Luke are settling into their new life together. Their journey highlights how expert legal support can simplify a complicated immigration process, helping couples stay focused on building their future rather than navigating paperwork.
Oliver & Megan – A Smooth Transition from F-1 Student Visa to Green Card in New York
Oliver, originally from London, England, and Megan, a university student from New York City, met during Oliver’s master’s program in the US. Their relationship blossomed quickly as they explored New York’s cultural scene and supported each other through academic challenges.
Shortly after their wedding in Manhattan, they faced the next hurdle: adjusting Oliver’s immigration status from an F-1 student visa to permanent residency. They applied for an Adjustment of Status (AOS), which can be a complex process involving multiple forms and background checks.
Our team’s meticulous attention to detail shone during this phase. They helped Oliver apply for his work permit, which was approved within three months, providing him with the opportunity to work legally while waiting for his green card. After carefully managing all timelines and submissions, Oliver received his green card just five months after their marriage.
Today, Oliver and Megan live in a cozy Brooklyn apartment, enjoying the vibrant energy of the city that brought them together. Their experience demonstrates how strategic legal assistance can streamline the transition from temporary to permanent status, allowing couples to focus on building their future together.
Why Legal Guidance Makes the Timeline Smoother
While processing times are published online, the real-world timeline depends heavily on how well your case is prepared. Mistakes, missing documents, or poor strategy can easily set you back months.
At Khunkhun Law, we ensure:
Every form is error-free and timely
You’re guided on the best route for your unique case
You understand what to expect at every milestone
We preemptively address any red flags (like intent or admissibility concerns)
Ready to Start Your Green Card Journey Together?
If you’re a British-American couple looking to bring your UK spouse or fiancé to the U.S. legally, we’re here to help you navigate every step with confidence, clarity, and compassion: 98%+ approval rate for our UK clients, expert handling of consular processing and adjustment of status, and clear guidance tailored to your unique relationship and goals.
Schedule a consultation with Khunkhun Law today, and let’s take the legal route to your life together in the U.S.
Let us help you transition from the UK to the USA the legal way. Schedule your consultation now to ensure your love story continues without legal roadblocks. Should you or your loved one have any questions or need representation, please do not hesitate to contact us. Although we are located in New York City, we represent clients all over the 50 states of the US. Call us, email us at info@khunkhunlaw.com, or review other options to get in touch with us for an immigration consultation. We have represented many clients with successful results, even with the most difficult set of facts.