Many want to enter the United States to live and work, yet most of these potential immigrants will find the process of accomplishing this goal to be difficult. The immigration process is complicated, confusing and frustrating, and before beginning, it is helpful for each Florida applicant to understand what to expect. The first step is to determine eligibility for a visa, as well as the specific steps one will have to take to secure the visa.
One of the most commonly sought visas is the fiancé visa. This is a visa that allows a citizen of the United States to bring in his or her fiancé for the purpose of marriage. This means that, if you are engaged to a person who currently lives in another country, there are options that allow you to secure your loved one’s entrance into the country, laying the foundation for him or her to eventually seek citizenship.
Requirements for those seeking a fiancé visa
There are certain requirements associated with seeking this specific type of visa. To secure one, an applicant must apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa. You must intend to marry the fiancé within 90 days of him or her entering the country. The marriage has to be valid, which means that it must be based on a real relationship, not an arrangement with the sole purpose of bringing the person into the United States. After the marriage, the immigrant may then take the steps of seeking lawful permanent residence.
If you wish to take this step with your non-citizen fiancé, you must be a valid citizen of the United States yourself. Both parties must be legally clear to marry, which means neither of you can currently be married to someone else at the time you apply for the visa. Additionally, you are not eligible for this type of visa if you and your fiancé plan to marry outside of the United States.
Help for navigating the immigration process
You will benefit from having knowledgeable and experienced guidance at every step of the process of seeking a fiancé visa. If you are unsure of where to begin or whether you are eligible, you may benefit from first seeking an assessment of your case. This will help you understand the options available to you and the course of action you must take in order to accomplish your immigration goals.