It’s called a “fiance” visa, and it has specific requirements—the sponsor must be a US citizen with an income higher (125%) than the poverty line and the relationship must be genuine . The latter is the main reason for most green card applications being denied. As a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you’re free to marry a foreign national or non-citizen immigrant – but you’ll need to consider immigration laws to move your new spouse to the U.S. permanently. Most people get U.S. citizenship between nine months and two years after obtaining a green card. Once you successfully obtain a green card, you can live for three years as a permanent resident and apply for United States citizenship. Marriages for the purpose reliable mail order bride platforms of evading U.S. immigration law are considered fraudulent. If the real reason you’re getting married is so that your spouse can become a permanent resident of the United States (“green card marriage”), seriously consider the consequences.
- The K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that can be used by the immigrant spouse to come to the U.S. and then adjust status.
- Some couples choose a third option — obtaining the non-immigrant visa to enter the United States as a fiancé and then getting married in the US.
- Obtaining a permanent Green Card , giving the right to permanently reside in the United States.
- We provide support for the Petition for Alien Fiancé (Form I-129F), Petition to Help a Relative Obtain a Green Card (Form I-130), Application to Adjust Status (Form I-485), and several other USCIS forms.
Once married, the foreign spouse must go through a process called “adjustment of status” if he or she wants to obtain a green card. Green card holders and U.S. citizens are at liberty to marry non-U.S.
On the other hand, a U.S citizen living abroad can take about 11 to 17 months for a successful marriage to an immigrant. If you are a green card holder living in the U.S, it could take between 28 and 38 months, while a U.S green card holder living abroad may wait for 27 to 46 months. You may have fallen in love, but how can you be sure your fiancé is just as sincere? If approved for citizenship, your spouse will take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. This ceremony is presided over by a judge or administrative officer.
Other things to know before you marry someone from another country
This final step is required to complete the naturalization process. In some instances, you and your betrothed may wish to enter into a written prenuptial or premarital agreement.
Of note, however, should be the slow speeds at which many citizenship applications are processed. As always, the quoted timelines are the requirements to APPLY, not to be approved and handed your new passport. Similar to Ireland’s program, Poland allows those with a Polish spouse to become a naturalized citizen after three years of marriage and two years of uninterrupted residence in the country. Unlike Ireland, Poland is a conservative country that does not recognize gay marriage or civil unions, so you will need to be legally married. There are two types of marriage fraud from a citizen’s point of view. They went into the marriage knowing it wasn’t legitimate, or they were unaware of the intention of the foreign spouse.
What an Immigration Lawyer Can do For Me?
An interview with the applicant will be scheduled to take place at the consulate. This means that, even if your home country allows certain types of marriages, they may not be recognized by the U.S. authorities for the purposes of sponsoring or being sponsored as a spouse. Both of these routes will involve temporary separation from your spouse as they apply for the green card or visa outside the United States. It is possible to modify or waive rights you would otherwise obtain in your spouse’s property as a result of your marriage through a written agreement, such as a prenuptial or marital agreement. (See “Premarital Agreements” below.) Such an agreement is in accordance with public policy to encourage and strengthen marriage. Marriage is a very serious commitment, and couples should communicate property concerns and considerations to each other before marriage.
If you should separate and/or divorce in the future, you may be obligated to continue supporting you spouse through the payment of spousal support, commonly referred to as alimony. In marriage, spouses are mutually responsible for the support of each other and any children born to the parties. Circumstances may arise in which you are obligated to financially support your spouse. Marriage does not automatically make you responsible for the individual debts of your spouse if you do not co-sign the loan, note, or credit card application. However, you may become liable to a third person for the cost of any basic necessities provided to your spouse during the marriage. If you and your spouse incur debt jointly, the creditor can usually sue you for the entire amount of the debt, not just 50 percent or the amount you specifically incurred.
Yes, the bride can get a green card and a residence permit for 10 years. The main requirement is that the marriage was registered at least 2 years ago, and the husband is a resident of the United States.
