Fiance & Marriage Visas

by Bray, Ilona M.

• ISBN13: 9781413300352
• ISBN10: 1413300359
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-06-02
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

You're engaged or married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and all you want is the right to be together in the U.S. Should be easy, right? It's not. Information can be hard to find, the government bureaucracy isn't helpful, delays are inevitable. Worst of all, there wasn't an easy-to-understand guidebook to the process -- until now. Fiance & Marriage Visas makes obtaining a visa and green card as painless as possible. It helps you decide the fastest and best application strategy for you, whether you are married or unmarried, living in the U.S. or overseas. sFiance & Marriage Visas also gives you helpful advice on protecting and renewing your green-card status. The book provides all the forms and checklists you need as tear-outs and on CD-ROM. The 2nd edition covers the new process of applying for a fiance visa as a married spouse, and takes into account the stricter procedures and security delays imposed since 9/11. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Attorney Ilona Bray began practicing immigration law because of her concern with international human rights issues. She worked for a number of nonprofit immigration agencies before joining Nolo as a legal editor

Table of Contents

Introduction
First Things First
Who Should Use This Book	3	(2)
Is a Fiance or Marriage Visa the Best One for You?	5	(1)
Using a Fake Marriage to Come to the U.S.	6	(3)
How to Use This Book	9
Are You Eligible for a Visa or Green Card?
Can You Enter the U.S. at All?	2	(8)
Are You Eligible for a Fiance or Marriage-Based Visa or Green Card?	10
Meeting Income Requirements
Meeting the Minimum Requirements	2	(6)
Applicants Who Must Meet More Than the Minimum	8	(2)
Increasing Your Sponsor's Income to Meet the Minimum	10
The Right Way to Prepare, Collect, and Manage the Paperwork
Getting Organized	2	(1)
How to Prepare USCIS and Consular Forms	3	(3)
How to Obtain Needed Documents	6	(3)
Before You Mail an Application	9
Overseas Fiances of U.S. Citizens
The Fiance Visa Option	2	(1)
The Marriage-Based Visa Option	3	(1)
The Tourist Visa Option	3	(1)
Choosing Among the Visa Options	4	(1)
The Fastest Option: Direct Consular Filing	5	(1)
How to Use a Tourist Visa	6	(1)
The K-1 Fiance Visa Application Process	7	(25)
How to Have Your Children and Pets Accompany You	32	(1)
Your Ninety Days on a Fiance Visa	32
Overseas Fiances of U.S. Permanent Residents
The Marriage Visa Option	2	(1)
If Your Fiance or Spouse Becomes a U.S. Citizen	2	(1)
Fiances Coming as Tourists	3
Overseas Spouses of U.S. Citizens
Marriage-Based Visas	2	(1)
The Marriage-Based Immigrant Visa Application Process	3	(24)
The K-3 Visa Application Process	27	(15)
How to Have Your Children and Pets Accompany You	42
Overseas Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents
The Immigrant Visa Application Process	2	(33)
How to Have Your Children and Pets Accompany You	35
Fiances in the U.S. Engaged to U.S. Citizens
Did You Enter Legally or Illegally?	2	(1)
Fiances Who Entered the U.S. Legally	2	(4)
Fiances Who Entered the U.S. Illegally	6
Fiances in the U.S. Engaged to Permanent Residents
Did You Enter Legally or Illegally?	2	(1)
Fiances Who Entered the U.S. Legally	2	(2)
Fiances Who Entered the U.S. Illegally	4
Spouses of U.S. Citizens, Living in the U.S.
Did You Enter Legally or Illegally?	2	(1)
Spouses Who Entered the U.S. Legally	2	(3)
Spouses Who Entered the U.S. Illegally	5	(3)
The First Application: I-130 Visa Petition	8
Spouses of Permanent Residents, In the U.S.
Did You Enter Legally or Illegally?	3	(1)
Spouses Who Entered Legally	3	(6)
Spouses Who Entered Illegally	9	(4)
Step One: I-130 Visa Petition	13	(9)
The Waiting Period	22
Interviews With USCIS or Consular Officials
Who Must Attend an Interview?	3	(1)
Preparing for Your Interview	3	(2)
Procedures for Consular Interviews	5	(3)
Procedures for USCIS Interviews	8	(2)
The Fraud Interview	10	(3)
Sample Interview Questions	13	(2)
What to Do If an Interview Is Going Badly	15
Applying for a Green Card at a USCIS Office
Documents and Information to Have on Hand	3	(4)
Line-by-Line Instructions for Adjustment of Status Forms	7	(13)
Submitting the Adjustment of Status Packet	20	(3)
Moving or Traveling While Waiting for Your Interview	23	(2)
Your Fingerprint Appointment	25	(2)
Advance Preparation for Your Adjustment of Status Interview	27	(2)
Green Cards for Your Children	29
Dealing With Bureaucrats, Delays, and Denials
Anticipating and Dealing With Delays	2	(8)
What to Do If an Application Is Denied	10	(1)
When All Else Fails, Call Your U.S. Congressperson	11
After You Get Your Green Card
How to Prove You're a U.S. Resident	2	(2)
Traveling Abroad	4	(1)
Your Immigrating Family Members' Rights	5	(1)
Sponsoring Other Family Members	5	(1)
Losing Your Permanent Resident Status	6	(1)
How to Renew or Replace Your Green Card	7	(1)
Converting From Conditional to Permanent Residence	8
Legal Help Beyond This Book
When Do You Need a Lawyer?	2	(1)
Where to Get the Names of Good Immigration Lawyers	2	(1)
How to Avoid Sleazy Lawyers	3	(1)
How to Choose Among Lawyers	4	(1)
Signing Up Your Lawyer	5	(1)
Paying Your Lawyer	6	(1)
Firing Your Lawyer	7	(1)
Do-It-Yourself Legal Research	7
Glossary
Appendixes
A Fee Tables
B Table of Visas and Immigration Benefits
C USCIS Service Center Addresses
D USCIS District Offices and Suboffices
E Instructional Publications
F How to Use the CD-ROM
G Tear-Out Immigration Forms
H Tear-Out Checklists
Index