Marriage Immigration Lawyer Alexandria, VA
Are you seeking a marriage green card for your foreign-born spouse? If you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may sponsor your spouse for a green card, establishing lawful permanent residency on them. After a waiting period as a lawful permanent resident, your spouse may apply for U.S. citizenship.
To obtain a marriage green card, you and your spouse must prove that your marriage is authentic through interviews and an evaluation with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The process can be long and exhausting, but the help of an Alexandria, VA, marriage immigration lawyer can make it go much more smoothly. Contact The Law Offices of Ricky Malik, P.C. today to get started on the process.
What Does An Alexandria Marriage Immigration Lawyer Do?
The green card process, from application through interviews, is overwhelming for many people, especially if you aren’t familiar with USCIS regulations and immigration laws. Our attorneys keep abreast of changes in immigration law that could impact your petition and monitor the USCIS for any backlogs that could affect your spouse’s status.
We also know what evidence of an authentic marriage the USCIS accepts and what questions will be asked in your interview. We can help you gather the correct documentation and other evidence to support your spouse’s green card application and help both of you prepare for the interview.
The USCIS Marriage Green Card Process
Getting a marriage green card for your spouse starts with submitting the application. If they were already in the U.S., you may have to request a change in status. If they are not in the U.S., then the process is different. Our lawyers can help you from the outset, reviewing your application for any errors or omissions that could cause a delay and ensuring it’s properly filed.
Once the application and other materials are submitted to the USCIS, the agency may send you a Request for Evidence. Sometimes, the USCIS needs more materials to review your marriage for authenticity. We’ll help you collect the necessary documentation for that request and send it in.
You can expect a decision between 6 and 15 months after submitting the application and evidence. Once the application is approved, you both will undergo more eligibility checks, and the sponsoring spouse must submit an Affidavit of Support, demonstrating that they are willing and able to financially support their partner.
Once those documents are submitted and reviewed, both spouses participate in in-person interviews with a USCIS official. These occur in a USCIS office for people living in the U.S. or at the U.S. embassy if one or both spouses are living abroad. The intent of the interview is to ascertain that both spouses are in an eligible marriage.
Helping You Start Your New Lives Together
Your future is on the line when you apply for a marriage green card. Don’t attempt to navigate the system by yourself; trust the experienced team of attorneys at The Law Offices of Ricky Malik, P.C., to guide you through the application and interview from start to finish. Contact us today to speak with a skilled Alexandria marriage immigration lawyer.
Common Challenges In Marriage-Based Immigration Cases
Your Alexandria, VA marriage immigration lawyer can walk you through your next steps. At The Law Offices of Ricky Malik, P.C., our team works tirelessly to secure the rights of our clients, whether they’re dealing deportation defense, humanitarian programs, or anything in between. Read on to learn about the common challenges of marriage-based immigration claims.
- Proving The Legitimacy Of The Marriage
One of the primary hurdles in marriage-based immigration cases is proving that the marriage is genuine and not just a means to obtain immigration benefits. Couples must provide extensive documentation, including joint bank statements, lease agreements, photographs, and other evidence of a shared life, which can be daunting to compile.
- The Visa Interview
The visa interview can be a significant source of stress for couples. Both partners need to be prepared to answer personal and detailed questions about their relationship in a way that convinces the interviewer of their genuine commitment to each other. Inconsistencies in answers between the spouses can raise doubts about the validity of the marriage.
- Handling Extended Processing Times
Immigration procedures can be notoriously lengthy, and delays in processing marriage-based visas or adjustment of status applications are common. These delays can strain a couple’s financial and emotional well-being, especially if they result in prolonged separation.
- Dealing With Legal Challenges
The legal framework governing marriage-based immigration is complex and frequently changes. Misunderstandings of current laws or failure to comply with all legal requirements can result in application denials or delays. Staying updated on the latest immigration laws and regulations is crucial, and your Alexandria, VA marriage immigration lawyer can help.
- Adjustment Of Status Complications
If one spouse is already in the U.S. on a different type of visa, adjusting status to a permanent resident can involve additional complications. Issues such as the timing of the marriage relative to the entry on a non-immigrant visa, or previous visa violations by the non-citizen spouse, can affect the outcome of the application.
- Conditional Residency
If the marriage is less than two years old at the time of approval, the non-citizen spouse receives conditional residency, which expires in two years. The couple must then file to remove the conditions on residence, requiring further proof that the marriage is ongoing and genuine. Failing to file during the 90 days before the expiration can lead to loss of residency.
- Financial Requirements
The U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse must demonstrate the ability to financially support the non-citizen spouse above a certain income threshold. This requirement ensures that the non-citizen will not become a public charge. Meeting these financial obligations can be challenging, especially in times of economic hardship.
- Cultural And Emotional Adjustments
Beyond the bureaucratic challenges, there are often significant cultural and emotional adjustments for the non-citizen spouse. Adapting to a new country, especially if language barriers exist, can be stressful and impact the marital relationship.
Get In Touch To Get Started
At The Law Offices of Ricky Malik, P.C., we are dedicated to supporting our clients through every step of this challenging journey. If you and your spouse are facing difficulties in your marriage-based immigration process, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let us help you overcome these hurdles together, ensuring you can focus on building a successful future together in the United States. Contact us today, and see how an Alexandria, VA marriage immigration lawyer from our office can help.
