3 Things You Need to Know About Marriage Visa Requirements

Some think that marriage is the easiest way to establish their immigration status. It’s true that a marriage-based visa can be a good option whether you or your spouse are married to a US citizen. But, not everyone meets the marriage visa requirements.

In this article we’ll look at three marriage visas requirements you must meet before applying for a marriage visa.

1. You Need to Be Legally Married

The first requirement for getting a marriage visa is that you need to be legally married. Living together isn’t enough to qualify. The marriage must be legally recognized and you should have a marriage certificate to prove it.

It doesn’t matter what country you got married in. All that matters is that the marriage is recognized by the government of the country where you were married and that you have documentation to prove it. If you were married abroad, it’s also possible that more than one type of marriage is legally recognized.

For example, many countries recognize common law marriages. This is when even you’re recognized as married even though no formal marriage arrangement has taken place. Requirements for this type of marriage may include both spouses having consented to the marriage, living together for a certain time period, and having the reputation in the community as being married. If you’re in this situation, contact your lawyer to find out whether your relationship qualifies as a legal marriage.

2. Your Marriage Needs to Be Real

Getting married just to get a green card or marriage visa is illegal. To prevent these illegal marriages, the government requires more than a marriage certificate to deem a marriage legitimate. The USCIS has the goal of uncovering fraudulent marriage and look at multiple factors when examining a case.

A previous marriage can quickly derail your case if it’s not handled correctly. If you were married in the past, then consider these questions:

• Are you married to someone in another country?
• Did your previous marriage end legally?
• Do you have the legal documents to prove that your previous marriage has ended?

If you haven’t ended your previous marriage legally, then the USCIS may consider your marriage to be a green card marriage ending your chances of getting a visa.

3. Your Spouse Needs to Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

It’s only possible to apply for a marriage visa if your spouse is a U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident. This means that it’s not enough for your spouse to have a temporary visa or work permit. Here are a few questions to help you determine if your spouse is a U.S. citizen:

• Were they born in the U.S.?
• Did they become a citizen through naturalization testing?
• Did they get citizenship through a family member?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s likely that your spouse is a U.S. citizen.

What If My Spouse Is a Permanent Resident?

If your spouse has a green card it is still possible to apply for a marriage visa. The difference between a permanent resident and a U.S. citizen is that a permanent resident can lose their status. This can affect you, especially since the naturalization process can takes years.

If You Meet the Requirements and Want to Get Started

If you meet the requirements so far you can start the application process for your green card. To get started talk to one of our expert immigration lawyers. They’ll help you review your case, figure out next steps, and get you on the path to citizenship.

The post 3 Things You Need to Know About Marriage Visa Requirements appeared first on Experienced Attorneys in Minneapolis MN | Robichaud & Alcantara Law P.A..

from Experienced Attorneys in Minneapolis MN | Robichaud & Alcantara Law P.A. https://www.robichaudlaw.com/news-resources/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-marriage-visa-requirements/

How to Get the Most From Your Free Immigration Lawyer Consultation

Before starting your immigration process, you probably have a lot of questions that you’d like answered. This is totally reasonable. Immigration can be complicated and you might be wondering what the best way to approach your specific situation is.

While you can find good general information online, that information isn’t tailored to you. So, a free immigration consultation is the logical next step for understanding what you should do. How can you find Minneapolis immigration attorneys that offer free consultations? How can you get the most out of that consultation? Let’s find out.

Finding Immigration Attorneys That Offer Free Consultations

Not every attorney offers a free initial consultation. Since it’s not something that’s required, each law firm can do what makes sense for their business. This means that you need to do the work of finding immigration attorneys that can provide you with a free consultation. How can you do it?

• Talk to friends and family: People you already know may have dealt with the immigration process before. Ask them which attorney they used, how satisfied they were with the process, and if they would recommend them. Add these attorneys to your shortlist.
• Do a Google search: Check online to see which immigration attorneys are in your area. As you look at their website, see if they clearly say that they specialize in immigration cases and if they offer free consultations. Add the best options to your shortlist.
  
• Call the law firms: Remember that an attorney’s website might have outdated information. The best way to be sure that they offer free consultations is to call and ask. Find out what the consultation includes and get confirmation that you won’t be charged anything.

After following these steps, try to narrow your list down to 2 or 3 law firms. Set up your free consultation with them and go to each consultation before you decide which law firm to choose.

Before you go to your consultations you should prepare yourself. What do you need to get ready to ensure you get the most from your free consultation?

Getting the Most Out of Your Immigration Consultation

You don’t want to waste a free consultation because you weren’t prepared. Instead you want to give the attorney a clear picture of your current situation and what you want to achieve. This will help them tell you what they can do for you, how long it might take, and how much it might cost.

There are basically two things that you need to prepare before your free consultation:

• Any documents or letters you already have: It’s important that your attorney understands your current immigration status. Bring in any immigration documents, completed forms, letter/notices, or court documents that you have. Letting the attorney review this information will help them see things that you might not see or be able to communicate.
• A list of questions to ask: Preparing a list of questions will help you to stay on track when speaking to the attorney. Remember that the consultation is your time to ask questions and have the attorney convince you that they can successfully handle your case. Questions might include: What percentage of your cases are related to immigration? Will you handle my case personally? What will you do to help me? Why are you a better choice than the other attorney I’m speaking with?

After your consultations, compare the answers that each attorney gave. Which attorney had the best answers? Which attorney did you feel the most comfortable with? Don’t agree to anything during the initial consultation. Instead give yourself time to think calmly before making your choice.

Set Up Your Free Immigration Consultation

Our team of Minneapolis immigration attorneys would be happy to help you understand your options. Use the form below to schedule your free consultation and make sure to get your list of questions ready. We look forward to speaking with you.

The post How to Get the Most From Your Free Immigration Lawyer Consultation appeared first on Experienced Attorneys in Minneapolis MN | Robichaud & Alcantara Law P.A..

from Experienced Attorneys in Minneapolis MN | Robichaud & Alcantara Law P.A. https://www.robichaudlaw.com/news-resources/how-to-get-the-most-from-your-free-immigration-lawyer-consultation/