On date : 2015-11-22 15:56:35 Category :Green Card
Marriage to a citizen of the US. is one of the fastest and easiest methods of obtaining permanent residence. Unfortunately, many persons engage in "sham" marriages merely to obtain green cards. If the government determines that a
Marriage to a citizen of the US. is one of the fastest and easiest methods of obtaining permanent residence. Unfortunately, many persons engage in "sham" marriages merely to obtain green cards. If the government determines that a marriage is not bona fide, both criminal and civil immigration penalties may be imposed.
If you marry a citizen in the US., you may submit an application for permanent residence to the INS office having jurisdiction over your residence. Typically, INS will issue you a work card and a travel permit (also known as an "advance parole") while you wait to be interviewed. Depending on the INS office, waiting times for marriage interviews range from two months to over one year.
INS will determine if you are residing together by examining your identification, wedding photographs, tax returns, insurance policies and by questioning you and your spouse. If INS has any doubts as to the bona fides of your marriage, they may question you and your spouse separately, and may conduct an investigation at your places of residence and employment.
If your marriage occurs abroad, you must process the immigration paperwork at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country. The procedure is roughly the same as in the US except that the waiting time usually ranges from three to six months.
If the marriage is less than two years old when you become a permanent resident, your green card will expire two years after you become a permanent resident. You and your spouse will be required to submit a joint petition to INS to remove this two-year condition within the 90-day period immediately preceding the expiration of your green card. If the marriage has terminated because of death or divorce, or if you are the victim of spousal abuse, you may apply to INS for a waiver of the joint petition requirement. marriage is not bona fide, both criminal and civil immigration penalties may be imposed.
If you marry a citizen in the US., you may submit an application for permanent residence to the INS office having jurisdiction over your residence. Typically, INS will issue you a work card and a travel permit (also known as an "advance parole") while you wait to be interviewed. Depending on the INS office, waiting times for marriage interviews range from two months to over one year.
INS will determine if you are residing together by examining your identification, wedding photographs, tax returns, insurance policies and by questioning you and your spouse. If INS has any doubts as to the bona fides of your marriage, they may question you and your spouse separately, and may conduct an investigation at your places of residence and employment.
If your marriage occurs abroad, you must process the immigration paperwork at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country. The procedure is roughly the same as in the US except that the waiting time usually ranges from three to six months.
If the marriage is less than two years old when you become a permanent resident, your green card will expire two years after you become a permanent resident. You and your spouse will be required to submit a joint petition to INS to remove this two-year condition within the 90-day period immediately preceding the expiration of your green card. If the marriage has terminated because of death or divorce, or if you are the victim of spousal abuse, you may apply to INS for a waiver of the joint petition requirement.