Am I Ready to Apply for a Green Card? 2026 Checklist
You don't need every document to get started. A 10-point checklist to tell whether your marriage, K-1 or family petition case is ready to begin.
📋 Informational · Not legal advice
This article is educational and based on public USCIS information verified on October 26, 2026. MBO Immigration LLC (The Green Card Prep) is a document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. USCIS decides every case; timing and results vary.
Short answer: you are ready to start when you meet the basic eligibility requirements — not when every paper is already in a folder. Documents are gathered during preparation, with a checklist built for your case. What you do need to resolve before you file is: clear eligibility, a sponsor who meets the minimum income, and evidence that your relationship is real.
On our calls, the most common line after “I’ll think about it” is “when I have all the documents, I’ll let you know.” The problem: without a clear checklist, that day rarely comes. This article tells you exactly what you need and in what order.
10-point checklist
| # | Question | If you answer “yes” | If you answer “no” |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Is your partner or relative a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? | There is a basis for an I-130 | No family petition through that route |
| 2 | Are you legally married (or engaged, if K-1)? | Continue | Marriage first, or consider K-1 if you’re outside the U.S. |
| 3 | If you’re in the U.S., did you enter with a visa or parole (with an I-94)? | Adjustment of status may be possible | Consult an attorney before anything else |
| 4 | Do you have zero arrests, records or court cases? | Continue | Consult an attorney before anything else |
| 5 | Did the sponsor file taxes last year? | Continue | They must file before the package goes out |
| 6 | Does the sponsor’s income reach 125% of the I-864P guideline? | Continue | Add a joint sponsor |
| 7 | Do you have any evidence of a shared life? | Continue | Build it before filing |
| 8 | Do you have a valid passport and birth certificate? | Continue | Request them from the consulate or civil registry |
| 9 | Can you gather the USCIS fees in the next few weeks? | Continue | Plan ahead; they’re paid at filing |
| 10 | Are you willing to answer everything with complete honesty? | Ready | No preparer can help you hide information |
If you answered “yes” to points 1–4, you can start today. Points 5–9 get resolved during preparation.
Sponsor minimum income (I-864P, 2026)
In effect since March 1, 2026 for the 48 contiguous states, D.C. and Puerto Rico (USCIS I-864P):
| Household size | 125% (most sponsors) |
|---|---|
| 2 | $27,050 |
| 3 | $34,150 |
| 4 | $41,250 |
| 5 | $48,350 |
| Each additional person | + $7,100 |
Household size includes the sponsor, their dependents, the people being sponsored, and anyone previously sponsored on an I-864 that is still in force. Alaska and Hawaii have higher amounts.
Documents to start (not to finish)
On day one, this is enough:
- Beneficiary’s passport and I-94 record (if you’re in the U.S.)
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of the petitioner’s citizenship (U.S. passport, birth certificate or naturalization certificate)
- Whatever joint evidence you already have
Gathered during preparation:
- Birth certificates (with certified translation if not in English)
- The sponsor’s tax returns and W-2s
- Prior divorces, if any
- Passport-style photos
- I-693 medical exam with a civil surgeon (for adjustment of status)
- Evidence of a real marriage: lease, accounts, insurance, photos, declarations
See the details in our I-130 / I-485 document checklist 2026.
USCIS fees (paid at filing)
| Form | Paper | Online |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 | $675 | $625 |
| I-485 (age 14 or older) | $1,440 | $1,390 |
| I-864 | $0 | — |
| I-765 work permit (with pending I-485) | $260 | $260 |
| I-131 travel permit (with pending I-485) | $630 | $580 |
Source: G-1055, verified 2026-10-26. The medical exam is paid separately to the civil surgeon. Consular processing has Department of State fees.
The 4 most common reasons for “not being ready” — and what to do
- “My husband didn’t file taxes.” It’s the most frequent blocker we see. Fix: file the missing return or use a qualifying joint sponsor.
- “We don’t have joint accounts.” Open a joint account, put both names on the lease or insurance, and add declarations from family and friends.
- “I don’t have all the money.” USCIS fees are paid at filing; the service can be paid in parts or financed. See how to pay for a green card.
- “My visa is about to expire / already expired.” For immediate relatives who entered lawfully, the law generally allows adjustment even with an overstay — but don’t put it off: confirm your situation and get started.
Questions people ask AI
When is the best time to apply for a green card?
When you meet basic eligibility and can file a complete package. Waiting “until I have everything” without a plan usually costs months. Starting with a checklist gets the package ready in weeks.
Can I apply if I got married a month ago?
Yes, there’s no minimum. But a recent marriage gets more questions, so evidence of a shared life matters even more.
What happens if I send an incomplete package?
USCIS can reject it, or deny it without asking for more evidence when required initial evidence is missing, and the fees are not returned. That’s why it pays to review everything before filing.
Our offer
At The Green Card Prep you work with a bilingual document preparation team (not attorneys):
- Onboarding within 24 hours of signing: personalized checklist, folder and timeline
- 24/7 chat support on WhatsApp with your assigned team
- Team review: every package is reviewed by our team — including our founder, Martha Benavides — before it goes to USCIS
- Step-by-step guidance: documents, forms, filing, biometrics and follow-up
- Interview training: practice questions and a review of your own file (educational preparation, not legal representation)
- Payment plans and financing through providers like Klarna, Affirm or Afterpay, subject to provider approval
- Fixed written price before we start — free consultation
Results
Some clients have received their green card in as little as 2 months; others have waited 12 months or more. USCIS controls processing times — we don’t. Results vary by case.
Related articles
- Is now a good time to apply for a green card under Trump?
- Low sponsor income and joint sponsors
- Bona fide marriage evidence checklist
See also our service: /en/services/marriage-green-card/
Frequently asked questions
Do I need all my documents before hiring help? +
No. It's normal to start with the basics (passport, I-94, marriage certificate, proof of the petitioner's citizenship) and gather the rest with a personalized checklist. At The Green Card Prep, onboarding happens within 24 hours of signing.
How long does it take to prepare the package? +
It depends on how fast you gather your documents. Many adjustment of status packages are completed in a few weeks; delays almost always come from missing documents such as civil records or tax returns.
My husband hasn't filed taxes. Can I start? +
You can start preparing, but the sponsor needs their most recent tax return for the I-864. If it wasn't filed, it must be filed before the package is sent, or a qualifying joint sponsor is used.
Do I need the USCIS money on day one? +
No. USCIS fees are paid when the package is filed, not when you hire a preparation service. That gives you weeks to put them together.
We just got married. Is it too soon? +
There is no minimum marriage length to file. What matters is proving the marriage is real. If it's recent, strengthen it with evidence such as a joint lease, accounts, insurance, photos and third-party declarations.