Are you looking to bring your significant other to the United States? If this is your goal, you’ll need to apply for a visa for your partner. The type of visa your partner needs depends on several factors. The most common visa many spouses seek is the spouse visa.
Over the past few years, the process has undergone several changes. Now, it’s more difficult to get a spouse visa. In the 2018 fiscal year, about 13,500 requests for a visa were denied.
You need to know how this process works if you are thinking of bringing your partner over. This guide will go over everything you need to know about the spouse visa.
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The Spouse Visa
The spouse visa, or partner visa, is used to bring a foreign spouse to the United States. Only citizens of the United States can apply for this type of visa for their significant other. If the visa is approved, the citizen’s spouse can enter the United States to live.
This is an immigration visa that allows a foreign spouse to come to the United States legally. A foreign spouse who enters the country with this type of visa has a lower likelihood of experiencing major issues.
Spousal Visa Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a spousal visa, a foreign person must show that he or she is legally married to an American citizen. A foreign person who is legally married to a lawful permanent resident may also qualify for a spousal visa.
Eligibility is dependent on the legitimacy of the marriage. One must show that the marriage is legitimate. Marriages done to receive an immigration benefit don’t qualify for this visa.
The couple will also need to convey that they are only married to each other and no one else. Anyone with a criminal conviction doesn’t qualify for this visa. These include murder and drug trafficking.
The same goes for anyone who has a security-related situation. People who have a tie to terrorist activities aren’t allowed to enter the country with this visa. The government conducts a thorough background check for the crimes.
The Application Process
If your goal is to bring over your spouse and get a permanent green card, the spouse visa is the option to pursue. After the approval of the case, the State Department gives a visa to the spouse. It will serve as a temporary green card.
With a temporary green card, a spouse can enter the United States. The State Department will issue the spouse an official green via mail.
The years of marriage determine the type of visa a spouse will receive. If the marriage is less than a couple of years old, the spouse will receive a conditional green card. The good news is that a spouse can seek to take away the conditions by filing for removal.
The processing time for this visa can be slow. It can take months to process the application.
The time it takes for a spouse to be allowed to come to the United States varies. The processing time for a spouse who is married to a citizen averages up to two years. This includes the time it takes to schedule the interview with the United States embassy.
The processing time for a spouse who is married to a lawful permanent resident takes longer. The government doesn’t place a lot of focus on these types of cases. These cases are linked to the quota system.
Costs and Financial Considerations
You must take the costs and financial aspects of the process into consideration. You must do so as these aspects of the process can affect your decision to continue.
The application fees can run-up thousands of dollars. Also, consider that you may have to hire a lawyer to help with the case. Hiring a lawyer can drive up the amount of money you have to spend.
The UK Spousal Visa
Are you a citizen of the UK and are looking to get a visa for your spouse? The UK spouse visa is the visa the UK government grants to applicants married to a British citizen.
To qualify for a UK spouse visa, both the applicant and the sponsor must be at least 18 and have a real relationship. They must show they have been living together for at least two years.
They must show their relationship is real. Their marriage must be valid per UK law.
To qualify for the UK spousal visa, the applicant will need to meet the English language rule. The applicant will also need to show proof of a negative TB test.
Having an adverse immigration history can disqualify an applicant. This includes having a history of overstaying and illegal entry into the country.
The sponsor will also need to meet certain criteria to qualify for the process. The sponsor must be a British citizen.
The sponsor will need to show that he or she has the financial means to support the applicant. The gross annual income should be at least £18,600. Savings of at least £62,500 can serve as an alternative.
Providing the applicant with adequate accommodation is also part of the criteria to qualify for the visa. The accommodation must meet the UK housing space standards.
If you’re looking to find out more about the UK spousal visa consult with an immigration lawyer.
Applying for the Spouse Visa
If you’re looking to bring over your spouse to your country, you’ll need to apply for a spouse visa. This guide offers all the information you need to help you navigate the application process.
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