A spousal green card is a popular path to lawful permanent residency and, eventually, United States citizenship. Love does not recognize borders, and many professionals find partners while working abroad. A spousal green card lawyer may offer essential support to a professional and help them build their life in the U.S.
A skilled green card attorney could help an employee understand eligibility criteria and explore their options for immigrating to the U.S. If your company needs assistance with immigration, call us now to schedule a consultation.
To bring a foreign national spouse to the U.S., a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the petitioner is a U.S. citizen and their spouse is residing legally in the U.S., they will simultaneously file a Form I-485 to adjust their status. If the foreign national spouse is residing outside of the U.S., the Form I-130 will be sent through consular processing after approval.
Lawful permanent residents will also use Form I-130 to petition for their spouse. If the spouse is lawfully residing in the U.S., the petitioning spouse will file a Form I-485 only after a visa number becomes available. If the foreign national spouse is residing outside of the U.S., the petition will need to go through consular processing. An attorney could help a spouse understand the green card application process.
While the petition is pending, a foreign national spouse may apply for a nonimmigrant K3 visa. The K3 visa allows the spouse to live and work in the U.S. while waiting for green card approval. The U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse will need to file a Form I-129F to obtain a K-3 visa for their foreign national spouse.
Many visa categories allow spouses to benefit from the primary beneficiaries’ visa status. For instance, the spouses of E-1 treaty traders, E-2 treaty investors, and EB-5 investors can obtain a visa as a dependent. Thereafter, the primary applicant and their immediate relatives can request an adjustment of status to remove the conditions on their residency and become lawful permanent residents.
If a marriage green card is not a viable option, a lawyer can help to determine alternative paths to U.S. residency. It is important to note that different visa options may have less visa availability, longer wait times, and a range of different eligibility criteria.
Understanding USCIS requirements, consular processing, and marriage green card eligibility criteria is essential. During this complicated process, a spousal green card attorney may provide valuable support. These lawyers utilize their in-depth knowledge of immigration law, processes, and resources to help spouses reunite in the U.S.
Besides helping determine eligibility, a green card lawyer provides comprehensive legal services throughout the immigration journey. This may include filing required forms, helping to apply for a K-3 visa, and responding to USCIS or consular requests for information. An attorney’s legal acumen and insights can prove beneficial during the confusing immigration process.
Spousal green cards are one of the most common ways for individuals to obtain permanent residency. For skilled professionals, these green cards can serve as a viable option for growing their family and work life in the U.S.
At Klug Law Firm, our skilled spousal green card lawyer understands how the process works and may help an employee on their path to permanent residency. We know that many working professionals find love abroad and are looking to build a life in the U.S. If you have questions and need assistance with your green card, contact us now.
