Individuals who obtain lawful permanent resident status based on a marriage to a U.S. citizen that is less than twenty-four (24) months old receive their lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis.
Removal of Conditional Green Card Status
In order to remove this conditional basis, the green card holder and his/her U.S. citizen spouse must jointly file an I-751 petition requesting removal of the conditional basis.
The I-751 petition must be filed during the 90-day period before the two-year anniversary of the date on which the green card holder obtained his/her permanent residence status.
Failure to file this I-751 petition prior to this two-year expiration date will result in the automatic termination of the green card holder’s immigration status, and his/her placement into removal proceedings.
References:
USCIS - Policy Alert: AOS After Conditional Status Terminated (11-21-2019).
USCIS - Revised Interview Waiver Guidance for Form I-751 (11-30-18).
USCIS - I-751 Filing Changes (08-25-08).
USCIS - New Biometric Process - Conditional Residents (02-28-07).
USCIS - Extending Conditional Status - Pending I-751 (12-02-03).
USCIS - Waiver of Joint Filing Prior to Termination of Marriage (04-10-03).