If you have found your soul mate and are ready to take the next step, but your loved one is not a resident of the United States, learn the information below. It will make things easier for you while dealing with immigration law. There is a lot to learn about visas and immigration when you plan to co-habit or get married. It would be good to hire a qualified immigration lawyer to guide you through this difficult and stressful process.. It will help you avoid mistakes and some extra costs as well.
Because marrying U.S. citizen to achieve American citizenship is commonly used by people who want to circumvent immigration laws, immigration officials thoroughly examine and scrutinize couples who purport to have romantic relationships. To proof that your relationship is genuine you will need to have documented arguments. Be sure to save all records of your correspondence (i.e., emails, letters, phone bills), travel receipts, ticket to events you attend together, hotel invoices and photos or videos of your time spent together. Prepare the required documents and other stuff that can verify the length and sincerity of the relationship.
If the foreign-born spouse meets the eligibility requirements for the immigrant visa, the visa is made available to the spouse almost “immediately,” based upon close family relationship. Both the spouse and the U.S. citizen should be free to marry (never married, or have proof of divorce or of a deceased spouse), be of marriageable age, and provide evidence that a valid marriage exists (e.g., the marriage certificate).
Also, you should keep in mind that marriage laws in the United States are under the jurisdiction of state legislatures. Such U.S. states as Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia allow some form of common law marriage. So if you are planning to marry or are already married at common law, you can rely on your immigration attorney to help you provide the documentary proof of your marital status. And remember that your family or friends are not a good source of advice about application procedures and immigration law.
