You must file an I130 petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For anyone who applies for a marriage-based green card, the U.S. spouse must submit a visa petition to the immigration department via Form I-130.The entire marriage green card timeline can take 10–38 months. Several factors influence wait times, including processing delays. The first step in the marriage visa process is for the sponsoring spouse to file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) with USCIS. When applying for a Green Card, applicants often must fill out two forms: a green card application and an immigrant petition. The first step in the marriage visa process is for the sponsoring spouse to file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) with USCIS. Petitioners residing in Poland or Belarus have to file I-130 petitions with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility. Spouse of a Deceased U.S. Citizen. To file Form I485, you must file an I130 concurrently or have an approved immigrant petition (I130) on your behalf.