Can a domestic partner be a legal US resident?
Sarah Duran
Published Apr 10, 2026
U.S. immigration law does not recognize domestic partner relationships. Unless you marry, you cannot petition for him for permanent residence.
Can foreign spouses of US citizens enter the US?
If you are a U.S. citizen you have two ways to bring your foreign spouse (husband or wife) to the United States to live. They are: After the visa process has been completed, and the visa is issued, the spouse can travel to the United States to wait for the processing of the immigrant visa case. …
Are spouses of US citizens allowed in us?
If you are a U.S. citizen you have two ways to bring your foreign spouse (husband or wife) to the United States to live. They are: Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) – An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required.
Can domestic partner apply for green card?
To qualify for a marriage green card, your marriage must be legally valid, and officially recognized in the country or region where it took place. Domestic partnerships and civil unions aren’t recognized as marriage under federal law, so you won’t qualify for a marriage green card unless you’re officially married.
Does US Immigration recognize common law marriage?
A common law marriage, therefore, may be recognized for immigration purposes if it is legal in the country or U.S. state where the couple lived or currently live and led to the attainment of the same marital rights as are granted to traditionally married couples in that locale.
How long does it take to get a green card if you marry a US citizen?
How long does it take to get a marriage green card?
| If your spouse is a… | And you currently live… | Then you will wait about… |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. citizen | In the U.S. | 14-28 months |
| Abroad | 17-24 months | |
| U.S. green card holder | In the U.S. | 22-36 months |
| Abroad | 15-23 months |
Who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States?
A lawful permanent resident is an immigrant, holds a “green card,” and has the right to reside permanently in the United States until he or she surrenders or abandons permanent residency. US citizens are immune from deportation and may retain their US citizenship irrespective of where they live.
Who is a resident alien of the United States?
Resident alien defined A resident alien of the United States is a foreign national who meets either of two objective tests: the lawful permanent residence test or the substantial presence test. An alien who meets neither test is a nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes for that year.
When do you become a resident of the United States?
Under the lawful permanent residence test (also known as the green card test), an individual is considered a resident alien from the day that he/she is admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident (that is, given a “green card”) until the day that this status is officially revoked or judicially found to be abandoned.
Can a married couple sponsor a US citizen?
Married couples can sponsor each other, so that if one spouse is a US citizen or permanent resident, he or she can sponsor their husband or wife to enter the US legally and can even help secure a green card for their spouse.
