This means that you do not have to submit a separate Form I-130 for your spouse and/or children. In addition, your spouse and/or children will not have to wait any extra time for a visa number to become available. In this case, you may simply notify a U.S. consulate that you are a permanent resident so that your spouse and/or children can apply for an immigrant visa. If you are a U.S. citizen, once you file Form I-130, your spouse is eligible to apply for a nonimmigrant K-3 visa. This will entitle him or her to come to the United States to live and work while the visa petition is pending.
Practice limited to US immigration and nationality law. Schedule a consultation with Altius Immigration Law. We will walk you through your case and give you honest advice on whether you should go DIY—or let us handle the stress for you. marriage green card help USCIS has not fully clarified how pending applications will be handled, so outcomes may vary case by case. In some cases yes, but USCIS may apply stricter review standards before allowing Adjustment of Status approvals.
In this post, we’ll cover common questions you might encounter and provide tips to help you prepare effectively. If someone has been in the United States without valid status, even briefly, leaving the country to apply at a consulate can trigger bars to reentry that are very difficult to overcome. Explore related offerings for additional insights in this area of law.
A marriage green card comes with a host of benefits, including legal permanent residency, the ability to get work authorization, travel flexibility, a path to citizenship, and more. It’s important to follow all the immigration steps diligently to avoid unnecessary delays or denials of your visa application. When a foreign citizen joins his or her significant other, and marries them within 90 days, he or she must apply for an Adjustment of Status. Their K-1 visa status will change to a conditional legal permanent U.S. resident. After 2 years, the married couple must attend an interview with a USCIS officer and show proof their marriage is still a bonafide one.
Applying for U.S. lawful permanent residence based on marriage to a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. is a commonly used path to a green card, also known as a Marriage Based Green Card. Your attorney can accompany you at your bona fide marriage green card interview. While the attorney cannot answer questions about your relationship for you, the lawyer can address any legal questions that arise in the course of your interview. Additionally, a lawyer can present the immigration officer with your supporting documentation and explain to the immigration officer why it is relevant to prove you are in a real marriage. Finally, an attorney can work with you in advance of your interview to go over anticipated questions and to assemble the packet of documentation you will submit to prove that you are in real marriage. You must submit all of these documents when you file the forms for your marriage green card petition.
This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. It is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney to ensure that you have all the necessary documents and to guide you through the application process.
Located in Pasadena, I serve couples throughout Los Angeles County, including Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, Arcadia, San Gabriel Valley, and surrounding areas. Whether you're newlyweds or have been together for years, I'm here to help you navigate the marriage green card process with care and expertise. The K-1 visa allows your partner to enter the US for marriage, then adjust status to permanent resident. The total cost of a marriage-based green card includes USCIS filing fees, medical examination costs, and attorney fees. The total USCIS filing fees are approximately $2,375 (or $3,005 if the I-131 application is included). If USCIS is not convinced your marriage is genuine based on the documents and interview, the petition may be denied.
Francis Law Center is dedicated to helping Chicago families stay united and achieve their immigration goals. With offices in Chicago and Schaumburg and the ability to serve clients across Illinois, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation today with our Chicago marriage green card lawyers and take the first step towards your future. Known for his attention to detail and dedication to client success, Dr. Lee works tirelessly to provide personalized legal solutions that align with each couple’s needs. Under his guidance, Francis Law Center has become a premier choice for families throughout Chicago and Illinois who seek expert assistance with their marriage green card applications.
The officer will go over your forms and identifying documents, ask you security related questions, and inquire about your relationship and marriage. The main purpose of the interview is to determine whether you are in a real marriage. The officer is trying to weed out cases where people are committing immigration fraud by entering into a fake marriage in order to obtain a green card.
A marriage visa allows your spouse to enter the U.S. legally in order for you to begin building a life together. While “marriage visa” and “marriage green card” are often used interchangeably, there's a key distinction. What kind of evidence should we provide for our application?
There are three primary reasons that you should have an attorney help with preparing and filing the forms for your marriage based green card. First, if you are in a position where you are unclear about what the forms are asking because of a language barrier. Second, if you believe that you could complete the forms, but you want the process to be handled smoothly and efficiently. Third, if you anticipate a problem with your case and are unsure how to best proceed.
The memo is important, and we do think it signals a stricter approach from USCIS in some cases. But it does not eliminate adjustment of status, and it does not change the law governing who is eligible to apply for a green card inside the United States. The practical risk is not that advance parole automatically creates a negative factor. The risk is that USCIS may more closely examine the underlying adjustment application, the applicant’s maintenance of status, and whether the applicant has any inadmissibility issues triggered by departure or return.
For families who are simply trying to be together, the uncertainty can feel overwhelming. But it is important to remember that the legal pathways to permanent residence through marriage to a U.S. citizen have not been eliminated. They have been paused and complicated, but they still exist.
The information on the KATS IMMIGRATION LAW, PLLC website has been created to better inform you about the services we offer. However, this information does not represent legal advice and is not intended to do so. The exchange of this information does not establish a lawyer-client relationship between the sender and receiver.