Are you getting married? If you are getting married to a U.S. citizen and want to live in the U.S., or if you are a U.S. citizen and want to marry a citizen of another country, we can help you realize your dreams.
U.S. Immigration law is complex. The procedure and paperwork required to allow you to marry your fiance has to be done right the first time, or it can set your plans back for a long time. This is where we come in.
We will file all your paperwork, deal directly with the immigration authorities, and give you guidance every step of the way. What are the requirements to get a visa for a fiance?
First, both of you must be legally eligible to marry. That means if you were married before, your divorce must be final. You must have met and seen each other within the past two years. Second, you must have a genuine intent to marry, in other words, it cannot be a sham marriage just to get into the U.S.
There will be a criminal background check and a medical exam before a fiance visa is granted. And the U.S. fiance must file an affidavit of support, which states that he can financially support his fiance.
Can gay couples marry in the U.S. through a fiance visa? Yes. For more information on this, see my blog article on this subject at USStatus.com This is a recent development, and just another example of how quickly U.S. immigration law changes.
Once you receive your fiance visa, you have six months to enter the U.S. At the border, your visa will be examined and the officer will probably ask a few questions.
Yes, you can bring your pets, and they don’t require a visa. They must be in good health and have had all the required vaccinations. Some type of pets, and especially those on exotic and prohibited lists, are not allowed
Once in the U.S., you must marry within 90 days. After that, the visa expires and the foreign fiance must leave the country if he or she did not get married. You can work during the 90 day period by getting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Or you can wait until after your adjustment of status to apply.
Unmarried children under the age of 21 can come to the U.S. with their parent. And after the wedding, you can apply for a green card. The process of getting a green card in the U.S. is called “Adjustment of Status.” It consists of paperwork and an interview.
And three years after receiving a green card, you can apply for U.S. citizenship if you have remained married. What if you got divorced during that period? Normally, you must leave the U.S. But there are exceptions to this rule, such as spousal abuse.
If you don’t get married within 90 days after entering the U.S. and remain here, you will subject to removal (deportation) proceedings. However, even if you’re late in getting married and are in removal proceedings, it’s possible to still apply for your green card in immigration court. You will definitely need a lawyer for this.
If you are planning a marriage, or even considering marriage to a U.S. citizen, or vice versa, call or email us. We can simplify the process and ensure that your dreams are realized. We charge a reasonable, flat fee.