How to Apply Immigration to the US from UK through Marriage

The United States is one of the most popular destinations for immigrants from the UK. It's also one of the most expensive countries in the world to come to, so it's important that you do your research before applying for citizenship or permanent residency (green card).

How to Apply Immigration to the US from UK through Marriage
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Immigrating to the United States through marriage is a popular choice. The country is known for its family-oriented values, and marriage can be used as an avenue to achieve this goal. However, understanding all the nuances of this process can be daunting. Even if you’ve been in a long-term relationship with your spouse and live in the same city, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can immigrate together. Here are some details you need to know.

What is Immigration to the US?

Immigration to the US is the process of becoming a citizen of the United States. You can apply for US citizenship after being a permanent resident for five years. Still, before that time, it was possible to become an immigrant if you were married to someone who was already in the US or had served in the military for at least 20 years. This allows them to sponsor your application so that you can live and work in America with them.

  • If this sounds like something that could be helpful for your plans, then keep reading!
  • The first step is to determine your route to the United States.

There are two ways to get a green card:

Marriage to a US citizen. This route is called "conditional residency" because it allows you to apply for permanent residence after one year. Still, it only applies if your spouse has already been approved as a refugee or asylum seeker and has been granted an immigrant visa (I-130) by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must also file Form I-130 within two years of being married and have lived together at least two years after getting married before becoming eligible for conditional permanent residency.

Employment with certain employers in special economic zones such as Silicon Valley or New York City would be considered "employment." If you have any job offer from an American employer, then you can apply through standard employment channels, which may include online forms or telephone assistance from attorneys working on your behalf therefor; however, these programs do not provide automatic visas like those available under family reunification rules but rather require additional steps before being approved by USCIS.

File a Petition

You will need to file a petition on behalf of your spouse, Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, with USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).

Once you have completed the paperwork and submitted it online at https://www.uscis.gov/i-130, they will review it and determine whether or not they approve the petition. If they support it, you can file one final form called "I-485". This form grants permanent residency status in the United States and works authorization for your spouse once they are given an immigrant visa by U.S Citizenship & Immigration Services.

Your spouse will need to pass a medical examination before immigrating.

You will need to pass a medical examination before immigrating. The exam will be conducted by a doctor who will check for any diseases or conditions that could affect your spouse's health or your health. Your spouse may also be required to take a blood test and have their DNA analyzed if they have been diagnosed with certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or an infection like HIV/AIDS.

If any conditions put your spouse at risk if they were to immigrate (for example, hepatitis B), then it could mean that you would also need a hepatitis B vaccination before entering the U.S., which would depend on what country you come from and whether this vaccine has been provided free of charge in those countries where it is available for sale at pharmacies or clinics.

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You must also prove that you are not attempting to defraud the US government.

If you are a UK citizen, you must also prove that you are not attempting to defraud the US government. If your spouse is likely to become a public charge or collect welfare benefits while in the United States and you have been married less than five years, your application will be denied.

You must show that both of you have sufficient income and resources to support yourselves during their stay in the United States (or if they will be living on someone else's property). You may use your bank account or credit cards and can apply for loans from banks or other lenders as long as it doesn't exceed $10,000 at any given time during your stay here.

This includes any interest accrued on these funds before leaving the home country and any withdrawals made until returning home after completing all required paperwork related directly to proving eligibility requirements such as those listed above; otherwise known as "sponsorship," which means giving money away."

In some cases, your spouse may be eligible for an interview waiver.

In some cases, your spouse may be eligible for an interview waiver. If you and your spouse are in the United States, they may apply for the release.

If you are outside the United States and your spouse has entered through marriage, they can apply for this benefit.

Immigrant visa through a consulate

If you are already in the United States and have an immediate relative who wants to join you, they can apply for an immigrant visa through a consulate. They will need:

An application packet (Form I-130) is completed by either yourself or your spouse. The form must include all of the following:

  • Proof of relationship (i.e., birth certificate)
  • Proof of marriage (i.e., marriage certificate)
  • Proof that both spouses are legally allowed to marry each other

Immigration is a long process, but there are ways to make it go more smoothly.

The immigration process is long and complicated, but there are ways to make it go more smoothly. It may take years or even decades, but if you are patient and organized, the process will not be as complicated as it seems at first glance.

Be honest in your applications: Being honest with USCIS is essential because they must know everything about your life before approving an application for permanent residence (i.e., citizenship). Suppose something comes up that makes you ineligible for immigration status or citizenship. In that case, it’s best not to hide those facts from USCIS because this could lead them down another path of investigation where they may find evidence that would harm your case in other ways – especially if there's something else behind closed doors!

Stay flexible: When working through this process with an immigration attorney or attorney general's office representative on behalf of yourself/your spouse/child/parent, etcetera...

FAQs

How long does it take to bring a UK spouse to the USA?

They may receive a green card as soon as the two of you complete the application process. That process alone can take six months to a year or longer.

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How do I immigrate to the US through marriage?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you have two ways to bring your foreign spouse (husband or wife) to the United States to live. They are: Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) - An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required.

How long does it take to immigrate to the US through marriage?

Average time - Between five and 14.5 months to get a Form I-130 petition (Petition for Alien Relative) approved by USCIS as early 2022; another six to 11 months or longer to get an immigrant visa to the United States.

Can a UK citizen get married to a U.S. citizen in the US?

The K-1 visa is a temporary 90-day visa to enter the USA to get married, which will subsequently allow you, as the new spouse of a US citizen, to apply to adjust your status to that of a lawful permanent resident.

What is the fastest way to bring my wife to the USA?

Historically, family reunification has been the easiest and fastest way of bringing your loved ones to the United States.

Can you stay in the U.S. while waiting for a marriage green card?

In most cases, spouses who are eligible to adjust their status prefer to do so. It allows the foreign spouse to stay in the United States while waiting for the marriage green card.

How much does it cost to get a green card through marriage?

As of early 2022, the State Department's immigrant visa application fee was $325 for family-based applicants, $345 for employment-based applicants, $330 for diversity visa applicants, $265 for a fiancé (K-1) visa, and $205 for various other categories.

How long does it take to get a green card after marriage?

The application processing takes 10-13 months for the marriage-based green card timeline. The critical difference between an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and in the country is that both the spouse and the sponsoring U.S citizen must attend the interview.

Can I apply for a green card immediately after marriage?

You can start the process to obtain a green card immediately after you have evidence of a bona fide marriage. Yes, you will need a photocopy of your marriage certificate. But you'll also need to prove that you have a real wedding.

What happens when a UK citizen marries a U.S. citizen?

American citizenship is not affected in any way by marrying a UK national. However, you will not lose your American citizenship, nor will you automatically acquire British citizenship simply by marrying a British citizen.

Can marriage green cards be denied?

Some situations can make you or your spouse ineligible to obtain a green card. These situations include Certain criminal records. Some (but not all) types of criminal records could make you or your spouse ineligible to apply for a green card.

Conclusion

The process can be pretty long, but you can make it go faster in many ways. If you have questions about immigration, feel free to contact us at (US) Immigration Law Group. We will help you through every step and want you to feel confident in your decision to immigrate!

How can I immigrate to the USA from the UK?

To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident immediate relative(s), or prospective U.S. employer and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa.

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