Q: I am a U.S. citizen. If I marry someone outside the U.S.A., how can I bring her to the U.S.A? I am a man.
A: If you marry a US Citizen outside the US, you can return to the US and file a spousal petition where your wife would process at the US Consulate in her country. The process involves filing multiple forms and documents and processing speed could last anywhere from 6 months to 18 months.
A:
To bring your spouse to the U.S., you'll need to follow a few steps. First, after your marriage, you must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes the relationship between you and your spouse.
Once the I-130 is approved, the process will depend on whether your spouse is in the U.S. or abroad. If abroad, your spouse will need to go through consular processing, which involves submitting additional forms and attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. If your spouse is already in the U.S., they may be eligible to adjust their status by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Throughout this process, be prepared to provide various documents such as your marriage certificate, proof of your U.S. citizenship, and evidence of a bona fide marriage. It’s important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure a smooth process.
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.
