When Do You Need a Marriage Visa Lawyer?
A marriage visa lawyer can help the following people:
- US citizens who want to obtain fiance visas and marriage visas for their foreign fiances and spouses
- Foreign students who have fallen in love with a U.S citizen while studying in the United States on a J-1 or F-1 student visa, and
- Married couples, where one spouse is an illegal alien and wants to become a lawful permanent resident
Other Helpful Resources:
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Marriage Visa Lawyer in the U.S.?
The cost of hiring a spouse visa attorney to obtain a marriage-based green card varies greatly across the United States; on average, fees can range from $1,500 to over $5,000. The costs are typically based on the complexity of your case and the number of hours the marriage visa attorney needs to finish your application.
What to Look For in a Marriage Visa Lawyer
The caseworker most familiar with your spouse’s country and the embassy there—and, frequently, one who speaks the same language as your spouse—will be assigned to you when you employ a marriage lawyer. Your lawyer should ask you to provide your basic biographical data and upload the needed papers.
The lawyer should finish all of the paperwork and send it to a supervisor for review once they have gathered all of the data required for your spouse’s visa. The marriage visa forms are then sent to you for examination and signature. You will complete the necessary signatures and deliver the forms to your lawyer’s office.
Your lawyer’s legal team should put together your visa petition after receiving your paperwork and sending it to the immigration authorities for assessment. Following that, your lawyer should submit your marriage visa petition to USCIS.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With a Marriage Visa Lawyer
It would help if you had a list of questions ready when you meet with a marriage visa lawyer for your initial immigration appointment.
Ask the lawyer, for instance, how many years of experience they have in marriage visa cases. Inquire with the lawyer if they have dealt with marriage visa cases with comparable concerns.
If Your Case Involves an Emergency, let the Attorney Know
A potential lawyer must be informed immediately if your case entails an emergency. Time is frequently of the essence, for instance, if your marriage visa petition or application has been turned down or if a federal order has been issued that essentially expels you from the country.
The Required Immigration Documents Must be Brought to Your Appointment
You must have all required paperwork when you have your initial marriage visa consultation. You should, for instance, provide copies of any immigration judgments, notifications, and receipts.
Additionally, you must include copies of any paperwork that has been submitted to ICE or USCIS. Bring copies of your passports, green cards, birth certificates, and job authorization cards if you have them.
You should bring a copy of the hearing notice to show the attorney if you have received written notice of an upcoming immigration court hearing. The lawyer can then confirm their availability to appear at the hearing.
Bring Copies of any Applicable Criminal Records with You
You should bring a copy of the criminal citation or arrest record with you to the conference if you have ever been arrested for a crime or received a citation. Additionally, you should submit evidence demonstrating how the case was resolved (the case outcome).
You must take thorough notes during your initial session with a marriage visa lawyer. You can then compare your notes with those from previous attorney sessions to see whether a certain marriage visa attorney is the best fit for you.
Where to Find the Best Marriage Visa Lawyers in the U.S.
You can find the best marriage visa lawyers in the U.S. on LegalMatch. You can also use the American Bar Association to search for marriage visa lawyers.
