Ideally, you should decide before filing your adjustment of status or immigrant visa application. This is because your name needs to be consistent across all official documents, including your green card, Social Security card, and work authorization documents.

Unlike other firms that handle every type of immigration case under the sun, we focus solely on marriage green cards and fiancé visas. This niche expertise means we know exactly what it takes to build a strong, compelling case and avoid the common pitfalls that can delay or derail your application.

Adjustment of Status (AOS) is the process that allows someone already in the U.S. to apply for permanent residency (a marriage green card) without having to leave the country. As an F-1 student, you have the option to adjust your status if you marry a U.S. citizen and are present in the U.S. This is an ideal path if you plan to continue living in the U.S. with your spouse as long as you had no immigrant intent when you arrived in the U.S. on your F-1 visa.

Immigrant intent means that you entered the U.S. with the intention of staying permanently. When entering on a visitor visa, TN visa, or an H-1B visa, you must not have had this intent. Adjusting status is only an option if your desire to stay arose after you arrived in the U.S.

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, meaning that it’s intended for temporary purposes, such as studying in the U.S. F-1 visa holders must demonstrate their intention to return to their home country after completing their education. This requirement can make applying for a marriage green card slightly tricky because it involves switching from non-immigrant intent (temporary stay) to immigrant intent (permanent stay)

My UK resident clients come to me with almost identical questions: What is the fastest way for me to get a Green Card for the US? Is the K-1 fiance visa the fastest way for me to get to my spouse in the US or should we get married and apply for the IR1 spousal visa?

For many F-1 visa holders who file for a marriage green card, the timing of the EAD approval is crucial. Once your OPT or CPT expires, you must rely on the EAD for legal work authorization. This can create a gap in your ability to work if your EAD is delayed, so it’s essential to consider the timeline carefully.

USCIS is legally obligated to treat all marriage green card applications equally, regardless of the couple's gender. However, providing thorough documentation can help demonstrate the bona fide nature of your relationship.

As a UK citizen married to a US citizen and planning to relocate to the United States, the marriage green card process is your key to a new life across the Atlantic. Here are the top 10 things you need to know:

If you're a UK citizen married to or in a relationship with a U.S. citizen, the journey to obtaining a U.S. green card can feel complex. At Khunkhun Law, we focus specifically on family-based immigration, particularly marriage green card cases, allowing us to provide a streamlined, efficient process for our clients. With offices in both London, UK, and New York, we are uniquely positioned to assist UK citizens in making their transition to the U.S. as smooth and predictable as possible.

If a previous marriage ended while immigration processes were underway or before they could be initiated, expect USCIS to examine the details and reasons for the dissolution. They might investigate if the earlier marriage was genuine or if it was perceived as a means to gain immigration benefits.

The K-1 visa is specifically designed for foreign nationals who are engaged to U.S. citizens. Once the visa is granted, the fiancé has 90 days to marry their U.S. citizen partner. Failure to marry within this timeframe could result in the fiancé being required to leave the country within 30 days, facing possible removal proceedings.

While the marriage green card process offers many advantages, there are situations where a fiancé visa might be the better option. For example, if you and your partner are not yet married and would prefer to have your wedding in the U.S., a K-1 fiancé visa might be the right choice.

As an immigration attorney, we frequently assist Chinese nationals who are already in the United States on F-1 (student) or H-1B (specialty occupation) visas and wish to apply for a marriage-based Green Card through adjustment of status. This process allows . . .

Choosing the right visa involves considering the length of the marriage, the couple's long-term plans, and the current circumstances of their relationship. The CR1 and IR1 visas provide solid pathways for spouses seeking to build their lives in the U.S., with specific conditions attached to each based on the duration of the marriage.

As a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor your fiancé(e) from abroad to join you in the U.S., provided you meet certain conditions like having met in person within the last two years and committing to marry within 90 days of your partner's arrival in the U.S. This process may sound straightforward, but it demands meticulous planning and understanding of legal nuances to ensure a smooth application.

"Understanding the typical timelines for marriage based Adjustment of Status cases in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn is essential for setting realistic expectations. While Manhattan generally offers the fastest processing times, Queens and Brooklyn have longer average timelines."

"Our deep understanding of both UK and US cultures, combined with our extensive experience in immigration law, allows us to offer truly bespoke services. We're not just helping you navigate paperwork; we're helping you write the next chapter of your love story."

"For parents of U.S. citizens, the child must be at least 21 years old to submit the family-based petition. This marks the beginning of the process, which is managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)."

The DHS is implementing a process to individually evaluate requests for parole in place from specific noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens who have resided in the U.S. for a minimum of ten years.