Permanent Residence or Nonimmigrant Entry Options for Spouses
At the law firm of Robert Brown LLC our immigration attorneys advise clients about the best ways to obtain permanent resident status for a noncitizen husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée. With offices in Ohio, Florida and North Carolina, we work with people throughout the United States and around the world. We will fully explain the alternatives that are available in your situation and help you choose the best option.
If you want to know more about obtaining permanent resident status for a spouse, we can help. Contact our immigration lawyers online or call 888-861-4414 to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your case. We have offices in Cleveland, Orlando and Raleigh.
Effective Marriage Immigration Options for Couples
If the noncitizen spouse of a U.S. citizen is currently outside of the U.S., a short path to permanent residence may be available through immigration processes. Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly review your options. Due to the unique characteristics of each option, the legal team at Robert Brown LLC will work closely with you to help you choose the correct option for your given situation. For example, spouses living abroad have two petition options for immigration into the U.S. based on marriage:
- Immigrant spouse (IR): Under this option, your spouse will be considered a permanent resident or a conditional permanent resident under the immediate relative (IR) category upon entering the U.S. The process for obtaining immigrant spouse status includes a visa petition, document processing and an interview at a U.S. consulate office. In most cases, this process takes six to 12 months to complete.
- Nonimmigrant spouse (K-3 visa): Unlike the immigrant spouse option, a successful K-3 visa applicant will enter the U.S. as a nonimmigrant and then apply for permanent residence. In most situations, the K-3 option provides for faster entry into the U.S., but once you are in the country, you can expect a longer process to obtain permanent residence through an adjustment of status (AOS). The K-3 visa petition process typically takes five to eight months, with more time required after arrival to complete the adjustment of status process.
Regardless of which option best suits your unique circumstances, you can rely on our lawyers to provide you with practical and dependable advice every step of the way.
Call for a Consultation With a Green Card Marriage Lawyer
We provide experienced help with immigration issues in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and throughout the United States and the world. Contact our marriage immigration lawyers online or call 888-861-4414 to arrange for an initial consultation to discuss your situation.
