How long does it take to sponsor a spouse?

It includes USCIS processing of Form I-130, NVC processing and the consulate's interview schedule. Spouses of U.S. citizens don't wait for a visa number; spouses of permanent residents (F2A) wait according to the Visa Bulletin.

What are the government fees to sponsor a spouse?

Form I-130: $625 online or $675 on paper (G-1055, edition October 16, 2026). For a visa abroad, add the $325 visa application fee and the $120 Affidavit of Support review fee (State Department), plus medical exam and document costs.

Can a green card holder sponsor a spouse?

Yes, in the F2A category. In the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the F2A Final Action Date is September 22, 2026.

Where is the spouse visa interview for Vietnamese applicants?

Vietnamese immigrant visa applicants usually interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Will my spouse get a 10-year green card right away?

If the marriage was less than 2 years old when the green card was granted, your spouse gets a 2-year conditional card and must file Form I-751 for a 10-year card.

How much income do I need to sponsor a spouse?

You file Form I-864 and must meet the minimum income in USCIS guidelines (generally 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for your household size). If you fall short, you can use assets or a joint sponsor.

What has changed recently in spouse sponsorship?

USCIS fees follow the G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition October 16, 2026), and F2A wait times change with each monthly Visa Bulletin. Check uscis.gov and the latest Visa Bulletin before you file.

Sponsoring Your Spouse for a Green Card: Eligibility, Steps and Wait Times

Sponsoring your husband or wife for a green card starts with Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) filed with USCIS. How long it takes depends on who is sponsoring:

A U.S. citizen's spouse is an immediate relative. USCIS says: "Visas are always available for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens", so there is no wait for a visa number.
A green card holder's spouse is in the F2A preference category and waits according to the Visa Bulletin. In the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the F2A Final Action Date is September 22, 2026, and the Dates for Filing chart shows F2A as "C" (current).

The Form I-130 fee is $625 online or $675 on paper (G-1055 Fee Schedule, edition October 16, 2026). If your spouse applies for an immigrant visa abroad (in Vietnam, for example), there is also a $325 State Department visa application fee and a $120 Affidavit of Support review fee.

Who can sponsor a spouse?

U.S. citizens can sponsor a spouse. According to Family of U.S. Citizens, spouses of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives.
Permanent residents can sponsor a spouse and unmarried children, according to Family of Green Card Holders. They wait based on the priority date, the date USCIS received a properly filed Form I-130.
The marriage must be legal and genuine, not entered only to get a green card. You will need evidence of the relationship.

If you are a permanent resident who will soon qualify for naturalization, becoming a citizen moves your spouse's case into the immediate relative category. See U.S. Citizenship Test 2026 and practice free with N400 Ready.

What are the steps?

If your spouse is abroad (consular processing)

File Form I-130 with USCIS, with proof of your citizenship or green card, your marriage certificate, proof that any prior marriages ended, and evidence that the marriage is genuine.
USCIS approves Form I-130 and sends the case to the State Department's National Visa Center (NVC).
Pay NVC fees: the $325 immigrant visa application fee and the $120 Affidavit of Support review fee, per the State Department fee page.
Submit Form DS-260 and civil documents, with Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). You, the sponsor, promise financial support; USCIS charges no fee for Form I-864.
Medical exam and interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate that handles immigrant visas for your spouse's country. For Vietnam, that is the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.
Enter the U.S., and the green card arrives by mail.

If your spouse is lawfully in the U.S. (adjustment of status)

If your spouse is in the U.S. and eligible, they may file Form I-485 to adjust status. Spouses of U.S. citizens often file Forms I-130 and I-485 together. The Form I-485 fee is $1,390 online or $1,440 on paper under the G-1055 Fee Schedule. Adjustment eligibility has many exceptions (how the person entered, time overstayed, and so on), so this path should be discussed with a licensed immigration attorney.

How long does it take?

The time has two parts:

USCIS processing of Form I-130: see USCIS Processing Times.
The wait for a visa number (F2A only), shown in the State Department Visa Bulletin, plus NVC processing and the consulate's interview schedule.

Under the October 2026 Visa Bulletin (checked October 19, 2026), Vietnam has no separate column, so the "All Chargeability Areas" column applies:

Category	Who sponsors	Final Action Date (Oct 2026)	Dates for Filing (Oct 2026)
Immediate relative	U.S. citizen	Not applicable (visas always available)	Not applicable
F2A	Permanent resident	September 22, 2026	Current (C)

The Visa Bulletin changes every month. Check the latest one before estimating your timeline.

2-year or 10-year green card?

If the marriage is less than 2 years old on the day your spouse enters the U.S. or is approved for a green card, they receive a 2-year conditional green card. Near the end of the 2 years, you file Form I-751 together for a 10-year card. See 2-Year to 10-Year Green Card.

Documents to gather

Proof of U.S. citizenship (passport, Certificate of Naturalization) or the sponsor's green card.
Marriage certificate; divorce decrees or death certificates for any prior marriages.
Evidence of a genuine marriage: photos over time, messages, travel records of visits, shared finances (if any).
Financial documents for Form I-864: tax returns and proof of employment. If your income is not enough, you may need a joint sponsor.
The beneficiary's civil documents: birth certificate, police certificate, passport.

Need help preparing a spouse petition?

Manna One Solution's immigration document preparation service prepares Forms I-130 and I-864 and the NVC paperwork online for clients across the U.S., in English or Vietnamese. Manna One Solution is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; some states require non-attorney immigration document preparers to register with the state, so we confirm the state you live in before taking your case. Cases with past visa denials, overstays or criminal records should go to a licensed immigration attorney.

Sources

USCIS — Family of U.S. Citizens (checked October 19, 2026)
USCIS — Family of Green Card Holders (checked October 19, 2026)
USCIS — I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (checked October 19, 2026)
USCIS — G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 10/16/26) (checked October 19, 2026)
U.S. Department of State — Visa Bulletin for October 2026 (checked October 19, 2026)
U.S. Department of State — Fees for Visa Services (checked October 19, 2026)
USCIS — Processing Times (checked October 19, 2026)

We prepare USCIS forms online for clients across the U.S. Manna One Solution is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Some states require non-attorney immigration document preparers to register with the state, so we confirm your state before taking your case.