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Best Way to Obtain a Green Card Through Marriage

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sufiya khan

There are some ways to obtain a green card through marriage, but many people aren’t aware of what they are. Remember, if you are attempting to Application for Green Card for Parents, you must exercise your options in good faith – you must be in a genuine relationship. The four most common paths for non-U.S. citizens to come to the country through marriage are:

Applying on the basis of an existing marriage
Marriage to a U.S. citizen
Marriage to a permanent resident of the U.S.
Through a K-1 visa
About Green Card Marriage In The U.S.

Certain elements of immigration and entry into the United States are currently being challenged. However, requirements for allowing spouses and close family members to join citizens or green card holders as permanent residents remain in place.

If you are a foreign citizen married to a United States citizen or permanent resident, the U.S. government provides methods to award a green card to allow you to remain with your spouse. Guidelines for application differ, depending on the circumstances, but the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, offers four different paths to reuniting married couples legally.

Each of the four methods is appropriate for different green card marriage circumstances. However, none of these are automatic nor guaranteed, so your application must be clear and truthful to pass the requirements of the USCIS.

Can You Make The Application Process Easier?

The application process can be confusing – including sorting through and determining which forms you must file based on your circumstances. In addition to long wait times for application approval, very specific documentation requirements can make the process a headache. The best strategy for making spousal permanent residency a reality is to work with a qualified immigration attorney who can professionally advise and assist you in the application process.

Green Card Marriage On The Basis Of An Existing Marriage

It’s not uncommon for a U.S. citizen to travel abroad, fall in love, and get married – but things can become pretty complicated when it’s time to come back stateside. It’s not as easy as showing your marriage certificate and passports to an immigration agent. In fact, as soon as you get married, there are steps you should take to ensure your spouse can return with you to the U.S.

Applying for permanent residency through a green card marriage application can be one of the quickest ways to obtain approval. The essential elements of these applications are:

Certifying the Eligibility of Both the Sponsor and the Beneficiary

Proving the legitimacy of the marriage and that the union is not simply a means to gain permanent residency for the spouse

Sponsors who are citizens have different applications than those who are permanent residents. Also, separate procedures will apply if the candidate for a green card sponsorship‘s spouse resides in another country or is already living in the United States under another type of visa.

Marriage To A United States Citizen

United States citizens, whether natural-born or naturalized, can bring immediate relatives, most particularly spouses, into the United States by submitting a USCIS Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. When the application is approved and a Visa number is assigned, the beneficiary can apply for a U.S. Green Card or permanent residency status.

Immediate Relatives Of A U.S. Citizen

In order to apply for a green card as the immediate relative of a U.S. citizen (an immediate relative is a spouse, an unmarried child under the age of 21, or the parent of the citizen, provided the citizen is 21 years old or older), your spouse must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. He or she must also include evidence of your marriage, such as a marriage certificate, and proof that the marriage is genuine.

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