If you have been married for fewer than two years at the time you receive permanent residence – green card, and your permanent residence is based on that marriage, you will receive Conditional Permanent Residence (CPR). Your CPR will be valid for two years.
In general, a conditional permanent resident (CPR) must jointly file with his or her petitioning spouse a Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (Form I-751) with USCIS during the 90-day period immediately preceding the second anniversary of his or her admission as a CPR in order to remove the conditions. An approval of a petition to remove conditions demonstrates the bona fides of the marital relationship.
In order for USCIS to approve the petition to remove conditions, the CPR must establish that:
- The marriage upon which the CPR admitted to the United States was valid;
- The marriage has not been terminated; and
- The marriage was not entered into for purposes of evading the immigration laws of the United States.
Failure to File or Denial of the Petition to Remove Conditions
The CPR status of an applicant is terminated and he or she must be placed into removal proceedings – deportation – if:
- The applicant fails to file the petition to remove conditions; or
- If the petition to remove conditions is filed, but the petition is denied.