Are you a U.S. citizen wondering about marriage green card vs. fiancé(e) visa and which option is right for bringing your foreign-citizen spouse or fiancé(e) to the United States? Congratulations on taking this important step! Understanding the differences between these two immigration options can help you make an informed decision.
You can pursue a marriage-based green card or apply for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa. Each option has different requirements and procedures, so let’s explore the key factors to consider when choosing the right path for your situation.
How to Make the Decision Between the Two?
Here are all the factors you must consider when choosing the right route for marriage green card vs. fiancé(e) visa:
The Place of Your Marriage
If you want to marry in the US, you must go for the fiancé K-1 route as it used to visit the US. Once you qualify for the K-1 visa, it is important to get married within 90 days of admission. You can have an unofficial party back home and then come to the US to cover the legalities. However, if you do not want to marry within the US, you can opt for the marriage green card visa.
Speed of Marriage
If you want to marry right away, you should not opt for the K-1 visa as it can take a long time to process the visa. This is why it is generally a better idea to wait for the K-1 visa to come through before you get married. Or, if you are ethically bound to marry as soon as possible, you can opt for a marriage green card.
US Presence
The K-1 visa is a faster way to get your spouse to the US, as it usually takes up to 5-10 months to get the visa. On the other hand, the green card visa takes a longer time, which is typically 10-16 months.
The Filing Fee for Marriage Green Card vs. Fiancé(e) Visa
The filing fee for the marriage green card vs. fiancé(e) visa is higher than the marriage visa, which means if you have a tight budget and cannot afford a high fee, you must go for a marriage visa.
Understanding the intricacies of both these visas and what option you should go for can be difficult. Learn more about ‘obtaining an immigrant visa through marriage‘ and the requirements for your situation.
Which is why you must get help from experts and allow them to direct you in the right direction. Silmi Law can help you explore all the options you have and give you all the information you need.
