Norristown, PA asked in Immigration Law for Pennsylvania

Q: I live in pennsylvania, my girlfriend lives in brazil! She will be visiting in December, on a tourist visa!

We want to marry! What actions do we need to take? And how much will we have to pay?

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3 Lawyer Answers
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Wyomissing, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: You can get married--but she can't stay past her tourist visa, a K-1 visa sometimes called a "fiancee visa".

https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/visas-fiancees-us-citizens

After that you have to get married within 90 days.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/family-immigration/immigrant-visa-for-a-spouse-or-fiance-of-a-us-citizen.html

At the present time she is unlikely to receive a visa shortly, and the problem is that if you change your minds you would have to institute a divorce with her in Brazil and the short answer is that in this case love does not conquer all. Another problem is that if you do not know each other well, the USCIS may decide not to grant the visa or, in the alternative, you may run into problems when she wants to convert it to a permanent resident status.

You want to find out how long the processing time is. Realistically, it may not happen before December.

Deron Edward Smallcomb
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Deron Edward Smallcomb
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • San Diego, CA

A: It is possible marry on a visitor visa, however one must be very careful because the issue of visa fraud will arise. You should contact an experienced immigration attorney to discuss.

Stephen Arnold Black
Stephen Arnold Black
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Orlando, FL

A: You guys need to go by the book. She needs to apply for a k fiancé visa then when she enters the US marry you and then adjust status to get her green card. Some of us charge a very affordable flat fee and any immigration attorney in the US can represent you. Good luck.

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