Fiancé & marriage visas: a couple's guide to U.S. immigration

546 Pages·2004·14.782 MB·English

by  Bray, Ilona M

2nd edition
Fiancé &
Marriage Visas
A Couple’s Guide to
U.S. Immigration
by Attorney Ilona M. Bray
About Nolo
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T
he information in this book is as up to date and accurate as we can make it. But it’s
important to realize that the law changes frequently, as do fees, forms, and procedures.
If you handle your own legal matters, it’s up to you to be sure that all information you use—
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2nd edition
Fiancé &
Marriage Visas
A Couple’s Guide to
U.S. Immigration
by Attorney Ilona M. Bray
Second Edition JUNE 2004
Editor JANET PORTMAN
Cover Design TONI IHARA
Book Design TERRI HEARSH
CD-Rom Preparation ANDRÉ ZIVKOVICH
Index THÉRÈSE SHERE
Proofreading ROBERT WELLS
Printing DELTA PRINTING SOLUTIONS, INC.
Bray, Ilona M., 1962-
Fiancé & marriage visas : a couple’s guide to U.S. immigration / by Ilona M. Bray.-- 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-4133-0035-9 (alk. paper)
1. Emigration and immigration law--United States--Popular works. 2. Marriage
law--United States--Popular works. 3. Aliens--United States--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I.
Title: Fiancé and marriage visas. II. Title.
KF4819.6.B73 2004
342.7308'2--dc22
2003070162
Copyright © 2001 and 2004 by Nolo. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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Acknowledgments
Special thanks go to Judge Miriam Hayward, who taught me how to do these visas in
the first place. I’d also like to thank the many people who contributed their knowledge
and experience to this book, including Angela Bean, Camille Kim-Cook, Mark
Demming, Djamila Gonzalez, Barbara Horn, Jacqueline Newman, Lynette Parker,
Carmen Reyes-Yossiff, and the staff at the International Institute of the East Bay.
Finally, a huge round of applause to my colleagues at Nolo, for the energy they put
into this project and for making the process fun: Jake Warner, Spencer Sherman, Janet
Portman, Jaleh Doane, André Zivkovich, Terri Hearsh, and Toni Ihara.

Table of Contents
I Introduction
1 First Things First
A. Who Should Use This Book.......................................................................1/3
B. Is a Fiancé or Marriage Visa the Best One for You? ....................................1/5
C. Using a Fake Marriage to Come tothe U.S................................................1/6
D. How to Use This Book...............................................................................1/9
2 Are You Eligible for a Visa or Green Card?
A. Can You Enter the U.S. at All?....................................................................2/2
B. Are You Eligible for a Fiancé or Marriage-Based Visa or GreenCard?......2/10
3 Meeting Income Requirements
A. Meeting the Minimum Requirements ........................................................3/2
B. Applicants Who Must Meet More Than the Minimum...............................3/8
C. Increasing Your Sponsor’s Income to Meet the Minimum.........................3/10
4 The Right Way to Prepare, Collect, and Manage
the Paperwork
A. Getting Organized.....................................................................................4/2
B. How to Prepare USCIS and ConsularForms..............................................4/3
C. How to Obtain Needed Documents..........................................................4/6
D. Before You Mail an Application.................................................................4/9
5 Overseas Fiancés of U.S. Citizens
A. The Fiancé Visa Option .............................................................................5/2
B. The Marriage-Based Visa Option ...............................................................5/3
C. The Tourist Visa Option..............................................................................5/3
D. Choosing Among the Visa Options ............................................................5/4
E. The Fastest Option: DirectConsular Filing ................................................5/5
F. How to Use a Tourist Visa..........................................................................5/6
G.The K-1 Fiancé Visa Application Process ...................................................5/7
H.How to Have Your Children and Pets Accompany You.............................5/32
I. Your Ninety Days on a Fiancé Visa..........................................................5/32
6 Overseas Fiancés of U.S. Permanent Residents
A. The Marriage Visa Option..........................................................................6/2
B. If Your Fiancé or Spouse Becomes a U.S. Citizen.......................................6/2
C. Fiancés Coming as Tourists........................................................................6/3
7 Overseas Spouses of U.S. Citizens
A. Marriage-Based Visas.................................................................................7/2
B. The Marriage-Based Immigrant Visa ApplicationProcess...........................7/3
C. The K-3 Visa Application Process.............................................................7/27
D. How to Have Your Children and Pets Accompany You.............................7/42
8 Overseas Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents
A. The Immigrant Visa Application Process....................................................8/2
B. How to Have Your Children and Pets Accompany You.............................8/35
9 Fiancés in the U.S. Engaged to U.S. Citizens
A. Did You Enter Legally or Illegally? .............................................................9/2
B. Fiancés Who Entered the U.S.Legally.......................................................9/2
C. Fiancés Who Entered the U.S.Illegally......................................................9/6
10 Fiancés in the U.S. Engaged to Permanent Residents
A. Did You Enter Legally or Illegally? ...........................................................10/2
B. Fiancés Who Entered the U.S.Legally.....................................................10/2
C. Fiancés Who Entered the U.S.Illegally....................................................10/4
11 Spouses of U.S. Citizens, Living in the U.S.
A. Did You Enter Legally or Illegally? ...........................................................11/2
B. Spouses Who Entered the U.S.Legally ....................................................11/2
C. Spouses Who Entered the U.S.Illegally...................................................11/5
D. The First Application: I-130 VisaPetition .................................................11/8
12 Spouses of Permanent Residents, In the U.S.
A. Did You Enter Legally or Illegally? ...........................................................12/3