What is the classification for a spouse married for less than 2 years to a U.S. citizen?

A spouse married to a U.S. citizen for less than two years is classified as a Conditional Resident. This classification is important because it allows for a pathway to permanent residency while ensuring that the marriage is genuine and not entered into for the purpose of evading immigration laws. Conditional residency is granted for a period of two years, during which time the couple must prove that their relationship is legitimate.

After this period, the couple must file a petition to remove the conditions on their residency, which involves providing evidence that the marriage is not fraudulent and is based on a bona fide relationship. This safeguard helps prevent abuse of the immigration system and ensures that only those who are truly in committed relationships can benefit from the immigration privileges associated with marriage to a U.S. citizen.

In contrast, other classifications do not apply in this situation: Permanent Resident generally refers to those who have already established that their marriage qualifies for long-term residency, Immediate Relative is a broader category pertaining to family relationships without regard to the length of marriage or status, and Non-Immigrant refers to individuals who are in the U.S. temporarily and do not have the same rights and pathways toward residency.