Overview

The guide that's helped thousands of binational couples unite in the U.S. If you're engaged or married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you probably deserve a U.S. immigrant visa or green card. But the U.S. government doesn't make it fast or easy. The paperwork can be intimidating, getting personal help from officials is nearly impossible, and delays are inevitable. Fortunately, this easy-to-use guide puts all the information you need in one place. Fiancé & Marriage Visas helps you make sure you are truly eligible for a U.S. green card and then plan the fastest and best application strategy--whether you're engaged or already married, and living in the U.S. or overseas. You'll be able to: confirm you won't face legal barriers to immigrating plan the best application strategy (for example, adjustment of status vs. consular processing) collect, prepare, and manage the required forms and paperwork prepare for interviews with U.S. officials prove your marriage is the real thing, not a sham deal with the two-year testing period for new marriages, and find out what to do if your application is delayed or denied. Plus, Fiancé & Marriage Visas gives you helpful advice on protecting and renewing your green-card status. It also provides samples of essential forms to guide you. This edition is updated with the latest fees, sample forms, and application procedures.

Full Product Details

9781413332483

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Reviews

"""An excellent resource for people who are trying to wind their way through the immigration service's Byzantine rules and regulations...."" Mark Silverman, Immigrant Legal Resource Center Author comments: The first time I helped a couple prepare a marriage-based green card application was both daunting and embarrassing. All those official forms, with strange-sounding names, and important choices to be made about where and how to apply! The clients were looking at me with worry. Their case went fine in the end, but I frankly wish I'd had this book then. My goal in writing it was to demystify the process, and give readers an actual look at what paperwork they'll be preparing and what to expect back from the U.S. government. I don't intend for it to replace lawyers in all cases--particularly if you've entered the U.S. unlawfully, have a criminal record, a low income, or other complications--but reading it will give you a better idea of whether you need an attorney and how to proceed if you can't afford or don't wish to hire one."

""An excellent resource for people who are trying to wind their way through the immigration service's Byzantine rules and regulations...."" Mark Silverman, Immigrant Legal Resource Center Author comments: The first time I helped a couple prepare a marriage-based green card application was both daunting and embarrassing. All those official forms, with strange-sounding names, and important choices to be made about where and how to apply! The clients were looking at me with worry. Their case went fine in the end, but I frankly wish I'd had this book then. My goal in writing it was to demystify the process, and give readers an actual look at what paperwork they'll be preparing and what to expect back from the U.S. government. I don't intend for it to replace lawyers in all cases--particularly if you've entered the U.S. unlawfully, have a criminal record, a low income, or other complications--but reading it will give you a better idea of whether you need an attorney and how to proceed if you can't afford or don't wish to hire one.

Author Information

Ilona Bray, J.D. is an award-winning author and legal editor at Nolo, specializing in immigration law, real estate, and nonprofit fundraising. She has been quoted as a real estate expert in publications across the country, including Money Magazine, Kiplinger, the New York Times, the Boston Herald, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Many of her books are consistent Nolo bestsellers, among them Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits, U.S. Immigration Made Easy, and Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home. She particularly enjoys interviewing people and weaving their stories into her books. Bray's working background includes solo practice, nonprofit, and corporate stints, as well as long periods of volunteering, including an internship at Amnesty International's main legal office in London. She received her law degree and a Master's degree in East Asian (Chinese) Studies from the University of Washington. In her spare time she enjoys writing children's books, going to open houses, and gardening.

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