The Green Card Prep vs SimpleCitizen (2026)
October 2026 comparison: SimpleCitizen Essentials/Enhanced/Professional tiers, legal review, and Spanish support vs The Green Card Prep concierge.
📋 Informational · Not legal advice
This article is educational and based on public USCIS information and third-party published policies as of October 13, 2026. MBO Immigration LLC (The Green Card Prep) is a document preparation service — we are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice. USCIS controls timing and outcomes; results vary by case.
Verdict: SimpleCitizen is English-first software with marriage plans from $599 (Essentials) to $1,299 (Professional with legal support) per their pricing page. The Green Card Prep fits when you want Spanish, a human preparer, and mailing without DIY portal work.
| Criterion (Oct 2026) | SimpleCitizen | The Green Card Prep |
|---|---|---|
| Published price (marriage) | Essentials $599 · Enhanced $899 · Professional $1,299 | Flat quote after case review |
| Who prepares | You + software; upper tiers add attorneys | Assigned preparer (not attorney) |
| Attorney review | Enhanced & Professional (per site) | No |
| Spanish | Mostly English | Spanish-first process |
| Support | Chat per plan | 24/7 one-on-one |
| Concierge | Guided self-serve | Personal preparer |
| Start | After online payment | Onboarding within 24 h |
| Mailing | Filing instructions; confirm plan | Collect, review, ship |
| Guarantee | See plan terms | No approval promise |
| Best for | English DIY with legal upsell | Latino families wanting hands-on help |
- Source: simplecitizen.com/pricing — Last verified: 2026-10-13*
Choose SimpleCitizen if…
- You like app-style DIY control
- You want Enhanced/Professional legal review
- Clean case and English is fine
Choose The Green Card Prep if…
- You need Spanish on calls and WhatsApp
- You want someone else to organize evidence
- You want a flat quote after a free consult
Before you pay
Competitor pricing changes. Confirm the official page the day you buy. USCIS fees are separate.
No preparer — including us — can promise an approval date. USCIS posts estimates at egov.uscis.gov.
If your case involves immigration court, criminal history, complex unlawful presence, or prior denials, talk to a licensed attorney before buying software or prep services.
AI-style questions (short answers)
Total cost? Service fee you choose + I-130 + I-485 (plus medical/consular if applicable). Work while waiting? Only with EAD or other authorization. Entered without a visa? Attorney first. Who controls timing? USCIS — some clients in 2 months, others 12+ months; results vary.
USCIS fees (marriage AOS — separate from any brand)
I-130 $675 paper / $625 online + adult I-485 $1,440 per G-1055. I-864 $0. I-765/I-131 with pending I-485 usually $0.
USCIS fees: Amounts below follow USCIS’s published fee schedule (April 2024 fee rule, still referenced at uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees and Fee Schedule G-1055). Verified 2026-10-13. If USCIS changes a fee, confirm the current amount on uscis.gov before paying — we do not control government fees.
What you do vs what your concierge does
| Task | You (client) | The Green Card Prep concierge |
|---|---|---|
| Decide whether/how to file | Yes — with your facts; attorney if legal risk | We explain service scope, not legal strategy |
| Obtain original documents | Yes | Custom list, reminders, quality check |
| Sign forms | Always you | We prepare for your signature |
| Pay USCIS fees | Yes (to USCIS) | We show amounts and G-1450/G-1650 setup |
| Index and bind packet | You can, but need not alone | We assemble per current instructions |
| Mail to USCIS | Optional | We ship with tracking |
| USCIS interview | You attend (both spouses if required) | Educational file prep, not representation |
| Respond to RFE | You provide documents | We help organize a documentary response; attorney if legal |
Sample timeline (illustrative — not a promise)
Maria and Luis (fictional names, educational scenario): marriage to a U.S. citizen, prior B-2 entry, no criminal record. They file I-130 + I-485 in January.
| Month (approx.) | What happens | USCIS form / fee (see note above) |
|---|---|---|
| Month 0 | Concurrent packet mailed | I-130 $675 paper / $625 online · I-485 $1,440 (biometrics included) · I-864 $0 · I-765/I-131 with pending I-485 usually $0 |
| Month 1 | I-797C receipt | — |
| Month 2–3 | Biometrics | Included with I-485 |
| Month 4–8 | EAD/AP if approved | — |
| Month 6–12+ | Interview and decision | USCIS decides |
In this fictional example, if everything goes without an RFE, a card might arrive across a wide range. Some clients have received their green card in as little as 2 months; others 12+ months. USCIS controls timing; results vary.
Common mistakes (and fixes)
- Wrong photos — Administrative rejection. Fix: current USCIS specs, plain background.
- Incomplete I-864 — Frequent RFE. Fix: petitioner tax transcripts, W-2s; joint sponsor if needed.
- New marriage, thin joint evidence — Fraud concerns. Fix: joint finances, lease, dated photos — bonafide checklist.
- Travel without approved I-131 — I-485 abandonment. Fix: do not depart until advance parole is approved (if you filed I-131).
- Working without EAD — Unauthorized employment issues. Fix: wait for EAD; file I-765 with I-485.
- Entry without inspection (EWI) — AOS may be unavailable. Fix: attorney before paying for prep; we do not promise a fix.
- Wrong USCIS payment — Package rejection. Fix: separate payment per form per filing fees.
FAQ-style questions (search / AI)
How much does a marriage green card cost in total?
Besides whatever service you hire, you pay USCIS fees: I-130 $675 paper / $625 online + $1,440 adult I-485 (G-1055, verified 2026-10-13). Medical exam is paid to the civil surgeon. Consular paths add Department of State fees — see current instructions.
Can I work while waiting?
With adjustment of status, file I-765 with I-485. Do not work until EAD is approved unless another valid authorization applies.
What if I entered without a visa or inspection?
Many people cannot AOS inside the U.S. That is legal advice — software or a preparer does not replace an attorney.
Who controls timing?
USCIS (and the consulate if consular). No brand speeds the official queue.
Do I need English?
You may request an interpreter at interview per USCIS rules; our service prepares in Spanish so you understand your own file.
What do competitor “guarantees” mean?
Read exact terms — usually about preparation or service refunds, not USCIS approval. We do not promise approval.
Our offer
With The Green Card Prep you work with a bilingual document-preparation team (not attorneys):
- One-on-one support with your assigned preparer/concierge
- 24/7 support via the channels we set up when you sign (WhatsApp, phone, email)
- Onboarding within 24 hours of signing up
- A personal preparer guiding you start to finish
- Done for you: we collect documents, prepare the packet, review it, and ship to USCIS
- Flat, transparent pricing — no surprises; free consultation
Results
Some clients have received their green card in as little as 2 months; others have waited 12+ months. USCIS controls processing times — we do not. Outcomes vary by field office, consulate, category, and each person’s immigration history.
Related articles
Service: /en/services/marriage-green-card/
Third-party prices and policies were verified on their websites on October 13, 2026; they may change. Confirm before you hire.
Frequently asked questions
Does SimpleCitizen support Spanish? +
Their product is primarily English. The Green Card Prep is Spanish-first.
Which SimpleCitizen plan includes a lawyer? +
Their site lists Enhanced ($899) with legal review and Professional ($1,299) with expanded legal support for marriage cases.
Does SimpleCitizen mail my packet? +
They provide preparation and instructions; confirm whether your tier includes print/mail.
Can I use both services? +
Usually not needed — pick one to avoid duplicate forms.
Who is cheaper? +
SimpleCitizen advertises from $599; we quote by complexity. Get both quotes.