Green Card Marriage

Did you realize that the number of people who marry for permanent residence in the United States is really high? Why is this a good way to become legal?

Some 400,000 American citizens marry foreigners each year - and later petition the U.S. Government for permanent documentation because when married, the alien becomes an immediate relative, thus valid for Green Card status.

But when you start thinking, someone here with a Green Card could possible marry an alien and have their status change. Yet, it's not that easy. That type of marriage is generally filled with problems when the paperwork starts. The best thing to do in this case is to consult an Immigration Lawyer.

One way is for the American citizen to get what's called a "temporary visa for a fiancee" and then after he or she arrives here, they get married and the paperwork is completed.

What the Citizenship and Immigration Services wants to find out is if the marriage was just for the Green Card, or do the two really love each other. And cases are found out. For example, one case in Dallas, where an Australian illegal alien married a permanent resident, Immigration Authorities simply called the couple and told them they knew that the Australian was still married to a Brazilian. Nevertheless, this person was later granted a Green Card and continues to work and live within the United States.

When the marriage happens outside the United States, the Citizenship and Immigration Services will need to receive from the American Citizen a visa petition for the foreign-born spouse. Once approved, the foreign-born spouse will receive a packet from the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The packet is will let the foreign-born spouse know what documents are needed for the interview which happens abroad - and contains documents which must be completed, signed and sent off to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country. The foreign-born spouse in normally granted a visa in three to six weeks.

Don't forget all of the fees involved in the above. It's not free and there are penalties if you are caught breaking the rules. For example, one fine of $150.00 was levied on a couple whose foreign-born spouse had made a trip outside the United States during the visa waiting period.

All in all, if you can find love, this is your best shot. There are many, many dating websites around with good people looking for only "love" and not hung up on your nationality. Try these first - and who knows - you may be looking at a Green Card much sooner than you think.