Jacksonville, FL asked in Immigration Law for Florida

Q: My fiancé is irish currently on an h2b visa, we want to marry in Ireland. How can he return to live in the US after?

We are currently living together in the US. If he leaves for the wedding, the h2b visa will no longer be valid. We can’t apply for spousal visa because we are not yet married. We can’t apply for fiancé visa because then we would have to get married in 2 countries.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: If your fiancé leaves the U.S. for your wedding in Ireland, his H2B visa will indeed become invalid for re-entry. In this situation, after your marriage, you can file for a spousal visa (CR-1 or IR-1) on his behalf. This process involves submitting a petition for an alien relative (Form I-130) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

While the spousal visa is being processed, which can take several months, your husband may not be able to live in the U.S. It's important to plan for this potential separation period. After the approval of the spousal visa, he will be able to return to the U.S. and reside there with you.

Given the complexities of immigration procedures and the potential for extended processing times, it's advisable to consult with an immigration attorney. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and help navigate the legal intricacies to minimize any potential delays or issues.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.