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Marriage-Based Immigration Services

Helping married couples start a life together in the United States

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Expert Guidance

Helping Married Couples Start a Life Together in the U.S.

If you're a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who married someone from another country, you might be thinking about settling down with your new spouse in the U.S. To do so, you'll need to apply for a marriage visa so they can come to the U.S. and become a lawful permanent resident.

Of course, immigration law can be difficult to understand on your own, so you should consult an experienced immigration attorney before you begin the marriage visa process.

When you hire Busayo Fasidi Law Firm, you can rest assured that our legal team understands the immigration laws surrounding marriage visas, so we'll work hard to make this a seamless process that results in a marriage-based green card for your foreign national spouse.

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Understanding Marriage Visas

What Is a Marriage Visa?

The marriage visa available to your foreign spouse depends on your legal status, since citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for different spouse visas.

CR-1 Visa

For U.S. citizens married less than 2 years to a foreign national spouse

IR-1 Visa

For U.S. citizens married more than 2 years to a foreign national spouse

F-2A Visa

For lawful permanent residents sponsoring their foreign national spouse

K Visas

For U.S. citizens engaged to foreign nationals (K-1) or married abroad (K-3)

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Qualification Criteria

WHO QUALIFIES FOR A MARRIAGE VISA?

U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency

You must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident to sponsor your spouse.

Valid Marriage

You must be legally married according to the laws of the country where the marriage took place.

Financial Support

You must demonstrate the ability to financially support your spouse at 125% above the U.S. poverty guidelines.

Bona Fide Marriage

Your marriage must be genuine and not entered into solely for immigration benefits.

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Step by Step

THE MARRIAGE VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

There are two main pathways to obtain a marriage-based green card

For spouses who are outside the United States

Step 1

File Petition

Submit Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with supporting documentation proving your relationship and eligibility.

Step 2

USCIS Processing

USCIS reviews your petition and supporting documents to verify your eligibility and relationship.

Step 3

National Visa Center

Once approved, your case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.

Step 4

Affidavit of Support

Submit Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) to demonstrate your ability to financially support your spouse.

Step 5

Medical Examination

Your spouse undergoes a medical examination with an approved physician in their home country.

Step 6

Visa Interview

Your spouse attends an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.

Step 7

Visa Issuance

If approved, your spouse receives their immigrant visa to travel to the United States.

Step 8

Green Card Delivery

After arriving in the U.S., your spouse receives their green card (permanent resident card) by mail.

For spouses who are already legally present in the United States

Step 1

File Concurrent Applications

Submit Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) together with supporting documentation.

Step 2

Biometrics Appointment

Your spouse attends a biometrics appointment to have their fingerprints, photograph, and signature taken for background checks.

Step 3

Employment Authorization

If applied for, your spouse may receive Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (travel document) while the case is pending.

Step 4

Medical Examination

Your spouse undergoes a medical examination with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon in the United States.

Step 5

Interview Preparation

Gather additional evidence of your bona fide marriage to present at the interview, such as joint financial documents, photos, and correspondence.

Step 6

Adjustment Interview

Both you and your spouse attend an interview at your local USCIS office where an officer will verify the legitimacy of your marriage.

Step 7

Decision

USCIS makes a decision on your case, either approving the adjustment of status or requesting additional evidence.

Step 8

Green Card Delivery

If approved, your spouse receives their green card (permanent resident card) by mail, typically within a few weeks of approval.

Documentation Needed

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR MARRIAGE VISAS

Petitioner Documents

  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency

    U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or green card.

  • Financial Documents

    Tax returns, W-2 forms, employment verification letter, and bank statements.

  • Divorce Decrees (if applicable)

    Documentation showing legal termination of any previous marriages.

  • Passport-Style Photos

    Recent color photographs meeting U.S. visa photo requirements.

Relationship & Beneficiary Documents

  • Marriage Certificate

    Official marriage certificate with certified translation if not in English.

  • Proof of Bona Fide Marriage

    Joint bank accounts, insurance policies, lease agreements, photos together, correspondence, and travel records.

  • Beneficiary's Documents

    Birth certificate, passport, divorce decrees (if applicable), and police certificates.

  • Medical Examination Results

    Completed by a USCIS-approved physician in the beneficiary's home country.

Our Services

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Lawful permanent residents and citizens alike can sponsor their spouse before starting a life in this country, but the process is often too complicated to handle alone. Our experienced team provides comprehensive assistance at every stage:

Eligibility Assessment

We evaluate your situation to determine the most appropriate visa category and identify potential challenges.

Petition Preparation

We help you prepare and file Form I-130 and all supporting documentation with meticulous attention to detail.

Relationship Evidence

We guide you in collecting and organizing compelling evidence of your genuine marriage to satisfy USCIS requirements.

Financial Documentation

We assist in preparing the Affidavit of Support and gathering the necessary financial evidence to meet USCIS requirements.

Interview Preparation

We thoroughly prepare your spouse for the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate, including practice questions and documentation review.

Overcoming Obstacles

We help address potential issues such as criminal history, previous visa denials, or requests for evidence from USCIS.

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Marriage Visa Services

We bring couples together across borders

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Potential Hurdles

COMMON CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Processing Delays

Marriage visa processing can take 1-2+ years depending on the visa type and country of origin.

Our Solution

We ensure all documentation is complete and accurate to avoid unnecessary delays and can help with expedite requests in certain circumstances.

Proving Bona Fide Marriage

USCIS scrutinizes marriage-based petitions carefully to prevent immigration fraud.

Our Solution

We help you gather compelling evidence of your genuine relationship and present it effectively to immigration officials.

Financial Requirements

Meeting the financial support requirements can be challenging for some petitioners.

Our Solution

We help identify alternative sources of financial support, such as assets or joint sponsors, to meet the income requirements.

Country-Specific Issues

Some countries have additional requirements or longer processing times for visa applications.

Our Solution

We have experience with visa applications from various countries and can navigate country-specific challenges effectively.

Inadmissibility Issues

Previous immigration violations, criminal history, or other factors can lead to inadmissibility.

Our Solution

We develop strategies to address inadmissibility issues, including waivers when available, to overcome potential grounds of denial.

Requests for Evidence (RFEs)

USCIS may request additional documentation, causing further delays in processing.

Our Solution

We anticipate potential RFEs and prepare comprehensive initial submissions to minimize the likelihood of additional requests.

Ready to Begin Your Life Together in the U.S.?

Let our experienced team guide you through the marriage visa process with expertise and dedication.

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