MARRIAGE & IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

World Class Immigration Solution for Everyone

NATHAN K. BROWN, IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

Immigration attorney Nathan Brown has helped hundreds of families with their immigration matters. From protecting parents from deportation, to helping victims of domestic violence obtain lawful permanent residence, to reuniting spouses, to guiding immigrants to citizenship, to assisting students applying for deferred action and work permits, Nathan is committed to simplifying complex immigration problems for people seeking to establish themselves in the United States.

Important Information About Marriage & Immigration

A US citizen or green card holder can petition for the spouse by filing form I-130.
The filing fee for submitting the I-130 petition recently increased to $535.00.
Once the government receives the I-130 petition, it usually takes anywhere from 3 to 6 months to process it if the applicant is a US citizen and longer if the petitioner is a green card holder.
A petitioner needs to prove the legitimacy, (the "bona fides"), of the marriage relationship for an I-130 petition to be approved.
The legal standard for establishing the "bona fides" of the marriage is that the marriage was entered into with the purpose of the spouses "establishing their life together.
Filing the I-130 petition is normally just the first step in obtaining a green card for your spouse. The next steps may include consular processing, applying for adjustment of status (Form I-485), submitting an affidavit of support (Form I-864), attending an interview with an immigration officer.

Important Information About Fiance Visas

It can take about 8 months from the time you submit your application for the fiance visa to the time your fiance is actually able to enter the country.
You must submit Form I-129F (along with certain other forms and evidence) to apply for a fiance visa.
The filing fee for Form I-129F is currently $535.00.
You must show that you have met your fiance in person at least once in the last two years before submitting the I-129F. It is extremely difficult to obtain a waiver of this requirement.
Once your fiance enters the United States, the couple normally must marry within 90 days.