SoCal Immigration Services | Immigration Document Preparation in Southern California

Quick Answer

San Diego County is home to over 40,000 Arab-American residents, many of whom obtained conditional green cards through marriage to U.S. citizens. If you received your green card through marriage and it was valid for only 2 years, you must file Form I-751 to remove the conditions and obtain a permanent 10-year green card. Failure to file on time results in automatic termination of your permanent resident status. SoCal Immigration Services provides expert I-751 filing assistance with Arabic-speaking staff for couples throughout San Diego County.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

Understanding Conditional Residence and the I-751 Requirement

When you obtain a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen and your marriage is less than 2 years old at the time of approval, USCIS issues a conditional green card valid for only 2 years. This condition exists to prevent marriage fraud.

You must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, during the 90-day window before your conditional green card expires. Filing too early results in rejection. Filing too late — even by one day — triggers automatic termination of your resident status and may lead to removal proceedings.

Timeline	Action Required	Consequence of Missing
Day your 2-year card was issued	Mark calendar for filing window	N/A
21 months after issuance	Begin gathering evidence	Insufficient preparation time
90 days before expiration	Filing window opens — submit I-751	Filing too early = rejection
Card expiration date	Must have filed by this date	Automatic status termination
After expiration without filing	Emergency late filing required	Removal proceedings possible

Joint Filing: Standard I-751 Petition

The standard I-751 petition is filed jointly by both spouses. This is the strongest filing type and has the highest approval rates. Both spouses must sign the petition, and the evidence must demonstrate that the marriage is genuine and was not entered into for immigration purposes.

For San Diego couples, we prepare a comprehensive evidence package that leaves no doubt about the legitimacy of your marriage. USCIS officers reviewing I-751 petitions look for consistent, ongoing evidence of a shared life together.

•Joint federal and state tax returns filed as married for both years of conditional residence
•Joint bank account statements showing regular shared financial activity
•Joint lease or mortgage documents showing shared housing in San Diego
•Birth certificates of children born to the marriage (strongest evidence)
•Joint insurance policies — health, auto, renters, or life insurance with both names
•Photographs together at different times and locations over the 2-year period
•Affidavits from friends and family attesting to the genuine nature of the marriage
•Joint utility bills, streaming subscriptions, or memberships
•Travel records showing trips taken together

Waiver Filing: I-751 Without Your Spouse

If you cannot file jointly with your spouse, you may file an I-751 waiver on your own. USCIS recognizes three grounds for waiver filing, each requiring different evidence.

1
Good Faith Marriage Waiver
If your marriage ended in divorce or annulment, you can file with evidence that you entered the marriage in good faith. Provide your divorce decree, evidence of genuine relationship during marriage, and documentation showing the marriage was not fraudulent.
2
Extreme Cruelty/Battery Waiver (VAWA)
If you were subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by your U.S. citizen spouse, you can file a waiver with evidence of abuse. This includes police reports, protective orders, medical records, counseling records, and personal declarations.
3
Extreme Hardship Waiver
If your removal from the United States would cause extreme hardship, you can file based on hardship evidence. This requires demonstrating that returning to your home country would cause hardship beyond what is normally expected from deportation.

Evidence Strategy for San Diego I-751 Cases

The quality and organization of your evidence package directly determines your I-751 outcome. Our San Diego team builds evidence packages that meet USCIS standards for every case type.

Evidence Category	Examples	Strength
Financial Commingling	Joint accounts, shared credit cards, co-signed loans	Very Strong
Shared Residence	Joint lease, mortgage, utility bills in both names	Very Strong
Children Together	Birth certificates of shared children	Strongest
Joint Tax Returns	Filed as married filing jointly for 2 years	Very Strong
Insurance Policies	Health, auto, life insurance with both names	Strong
Photographs	Dated photos together at events, holidays, trips	Moderate
Affidavits	Sworn statements from people who know your marriage	Moderate
Communication Records	Shared phone plans, messaging history	Moderate
Social Media	Posts, check-ins, and photos showing shared life	Supplementary

I-751 Processing Times and What to Expect

After filing your I-751, USCIS extends your conditional residence for up to 24 months while the petition is processed. This extension is documented on your I-797C receipt notice, which you carry with your expired conditional green card.

Current I-751 processing times for the California Service Center range from 12 to 24 months. During this period, your receipt notice combined with your expired green card serves as valid proof of permanent resident status for employment and travel purposes.

•Filing fee: $595 plus $85 biometrics fee ($680 total)
•Receipt notice mailed within 2-4 weeks of filing
•Biometrics appointment scheduled 4-8 weeks after receipt
•24-month automatic extension documented on receipt notice
•Interview may be scheduled — not all cases require interviews
•Approval results in a 10-year permanent resident card mailed to your San Diego address

I-751 Interview Preparation for San Diego Couples

Not all I-751 cases require an interview, but USCIS may schedule one if the officer needs additional evidence or has questions about the marriage. If interviewed, both spouses attend at the local USCIS field office in San Diego.

Our team prepares San Diego couples thoroughly for I-751 interviews. We conduct mock interviews covering typical questions: How did you meet? When and where did you get married? Describe your daily routine. Who does the cooking? What side of the bed does each of you sleep on? These questions verify intimate knowledge that genuine married couples naturally possess.

For Arab couples, we address cultural considerations the officer may not understand — such as arranged marriage customs, family involvement in the relationship, and cultural differences in how couples demonstrate affection publicly.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:When should I file Form I-751 in San Diego?

A: File Form I-751 during the 90-day window before your conditional green card expires. This window opens exactly 90 days before the expiration date printed on your card. Filing too early results in rejection, and filing late triggers automatic status termination.

Q:Can I file I-751 if I am divorced?

A: Yes. If your marriage ended in divorce, you can file an I-751 waiver on your own. You must provide your final divorce decree and evidence that you entered the marriage in good faith — not for immigration purposes. Our team prepares divorce-based waiver cases for San Diego clients.

Q:What happens if I miss the I-751 filing deadline?

A: Missing the I-751 deadline causes automatic termination of your conditional resident status. You become subject to removal proceedings. Contact our San Diego office immediately — late filings are possible with a reasonable explanation, but every day of delay increases risk.

Q:Do I need to attend an interview for my I-751?

A: Not all I-751 cases require an interview. USCIS may waive the interview if your evidence package is strong and complete. Cases with weaker evidence, waiver filings, or fraud indicators are more likely to be scheduled for an interview. Our thorough evidence preparation reduces interview likelihood.

Q:How much does I-751 filing cost in San Diego?

A: The total USCIS fee for Form I-751 is $680, which includes the $595 filing fee and $85 biometrics fee. Fee waivers are not available for I-751 petitions. Contact our San Diego office at (714) 421-8872 for our service fees.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in San Diego and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: February 11, 2026Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Remove Conditions on Your Green Card in San Diego

Do not risk losing your permanent resident status. SoCal Immigration Services provides expert I-751 filing with Arabic-speaking support for San Diego couples. Comprehensive evidence preparation and interview coaching included.

Serving San Diego and all of Southern California

Schedule Your I-751 Consultation (714) 421-8872

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I-751 Conditions Removal in San Diego: Marriage Green Card From Conditional to Permanent