Questions about marriage immigration

[Phildo]

I am an American citizen and my girlfriend is not. She was here for school but now is done and will have to leave soon. We want to get married.

I have only been working for a year since graduating from school. Will I have to get a co-signor to be approved for marriage? I don't think I have anyone who would be willing to do that. What are my options?

What are all the forms I need to know about/look at to be able to get married and have her apply for citizenship?

We have been together for a while but the subject of marriage is relatively new and I am not sure if she wants to marry me out of love or just for my citizenship. I care for her a lot and if I don't do it she'll have to leave the country. What legal concerns should I be weary of if we get married and things don't work out?

I'd appreciate any help concerning these questions.

Thanks

[raevsky]

Re: Questions about marriage immigration

You will have to sign affidavit of support I-864 ( [url="http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b70f8875d714d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045 f3d6a1RCRD"] http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f 35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b70f8875d714d010VgnVCM100000 48f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010Vgn VCM1000004 5f3d6a1RCRD ), and her co-sponsor will have to sign a similar form I-864a ( [url="http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=0c7e8875d714d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045 f3d6a1RCRD"] http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f 35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=0c7e8875d714d010VgnVCM100000 48f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010Vgn VCM1000004 5f3d6a1RCRD )



The poverty guidelines are [url="http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73c63591ec04d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045 f3d6a1RCRD"] http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f 35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73c63591ec04d010VgnVCM100000 48f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010Vgn VCM1000004 5f3d6a1RCRD



Even in case you divorce, your and her co-sponsor's financial obligations are still going to be in force until she becomes a US citizen, regardless of the fact whether she marries again and somebody else signs another affidavit for her.



If by the time she gets a GC your marriage is at least 2 years old, she gets an unconditional GC. Otherwise she gets a conditional GC and needs to file for removing condition after 1 year and 9 months of her conditional GC. If you are not living together by that time, she cannot do that. But she can seek other ways of immigrating to the US, and your financial obligations are still in force.



If she has to leave the country nevertheless, she cannot make use of your financial obligations while being abroad.

[Lucy]

Re: Questions about marriage immigration

Quote:
What legal concerns should I be weary of if we get married and things don't work out?

same ones as anyone else who marries.

Get a prenup, if you'd like.



And you are not alone when you think that your girl might marry you for immigration purposes only. Pretty much anybody with US citizenship fears it at least a little bit. The same goes for rich people - hmmm, is she marrying me for me or my money?

[raevsky]

Re: Questions about marriage immigration

Prenup could affect the immigration issues. She might never be able to get a GC if you do prenup, and be deported instead.



The reason is if prenup limits the rights of non-US citizen spouse, they suspect financial compensation for that instead, and that means marriage for immigration purposes only.



[url="http://www.wwgw.com/content.asp?id=30"]http://www.wwgw.com/content.asp?id=30

Quote:
1. Prenuptial Agreements, Separation and Divorce



There are a number of immigration consequences where prenuptial agreements, separation agreements and divorces occur, particularly if one party is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien and the other party is not. Onerous provisions under the Immigration and Marriage Fraud Act and technical provisions with reference to the relationship between the parties and their children can affect the immigration and visa consequences of one or more of the parties and must be taken into consideration when any of these matrimonial events is being negotiated.

[4olenka]

Re: Questions about marriage immigration

От уже мужики зашуганные-бояться за свои деньги, за свой статус. Но на это есть причины, сколько девченок замуж выходят за гражданина лишь бы плучить шанс остаться там, эх..... Все равно окрутит не его так другого

[4olenka]

Re: Questions about marriage immigration

А если свадьба происходит на Родине девушки за гражданина США, то через какое время она сможет приехать в Америку? И вообще, легче по визе невесты выехать или уже как жена?

[Lucy]

Re: Questions about marriage immigration

mozhno i tak, i tak. Zavisit ot togo, kakie u nih celi - pobystree vmeste v Amerike, ili v'ehat' i poluchit' GC nemedlenno.