The Law Office of Kevin Dixler

Many people hope to immigrate to the United States to pursue a life together with their spouses. If you are a foreign national seeking entry into the U.S. and you are not yet married to your partner, you will need to determine whether you should get a fiancé visa or a marriage visa.

The main difference between fiancé visas and marriage visas is that a fiancé visa allows the couple to marry on U.S. soil, while a marriage visa is for couples who have married outside the U.S. Some circumstances could make one visa or the other a better option for you, but a simple internet article cannot answer every question for your unique situation. Please get in touch with our law firm right away to start your marriage-based immigration process.

Who Qualifies for a Fiancé Visa?

The K-1, or fiancé visa, is awarded to immigrants who seek entry into the country to marry an individual living in the United States. It is a temporary and conditional visa status that can end unless the marriage occurs, and the forms are accepted by USCIS within 90 days.

To qualify for a fiancé visa, you must:

• Have a partner who is a U.S. citizen (green card holders cannot sponsor a fiancé for entry into the United States).
• Prove that the relationship is authentic by providing photos, correspondence, or written statements from people who know you as a couple.
• Prove that you have met your partner in person at least once in the last two years unless you waive this requirement for religious reasons.
• Agree to marry your partner within 90 days of entering the U.S.

What Does a Marriage Visa Do?

A marriage visa does not allow unmarried partners to enter the United States. It is for a married couple who were already married outside of U.S. territories. This type of visa allows a foreign spouse to enter and work in the United States. A successful application for a marriage visa can result in a green card, which could eventually lead to citizenship.

Some qualifications for a marriage visa are:

• Provide proof of marriage, such as a marriage certificate showing both spouses’ names and the marriage date.
• Provide further evidence that you have a good faith relationship before marriage, such as correspondence, travel together, joint living arrangements, and other documentation tending to verify that the marriage is based on moral respect.

Can Our Family-Based Immigration Lawyer Help You?

Our law firm loves taking on cases that unite couples and families on U.S. soil. This can be a complicated process as U.S.C.I.S. officials are usually wary of immigrants who might marry solely to enter the United States. This is considered a sham marriage which violates criminal law.

If you are thinking of pursuing a fiancé visa or a marriage visa, please consult with a trusted legal representative like the immigration attorney at our law office. You need excellent counsel to help you decide which route is best for you and to help get your application approved. When you call our law firm, you’ll find access to outstanding care with a dedicated, honest, and capable immigration attorney. Call 312-728-4610 now to schedule a consultation!

Many immigrants are eager to help their family members come to the United States and obtain lawful permanent residence through a green card. However, just as you went through a challenging process in obtaining citizenship, your loved ones may also go through a rigorous process of applying and submitting to evaluations to determine when they may enter the country. One way you can help is by sponsoring them to come into the country.

In order to sponsor someone for a green card, the following requirements must be met:

• You must be at least 18, often 21, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (holding a green card).
• You must reside in the United States or a U.S. territory.
• Your income level must be at least 125 percent of the Federal poverty level (or 100 percent for active-duty military personnel sponsoring immediate family members).
• You must submit Form I-864, also known as an affidavit of support.

Who Can I Sponsor for a Green Card?

Understanding whom you may sponsor for a U.S. green card is essential. It is possible for individuals to sponsor others who are not family members as long as there is a close relationship, such as an employer sponsoring an employee. Parents may also sponsor an adopted child who is immigrating to the U.S.

What Happens If I Don’t Meet Income Requirements?

A minimum income must be met to sponsor someone for a green card in the United States. This is currently a minimum of 125 percent of the Federal poverty level or 100 percent of the poverty level for active-duty military members. For those who do not meet the minimum income requirements, there is still hope to sponsor another person for lawful permanent residence.

When the financial requirements are not met through income, the individual’s assets may be considered when determining their eligibility for financial sponsorship. The assets could include savings accounts, real property, stocks, and bonds. You may also submit with a joint sponsor who accepts legal responsibility for you and your family member.

Can Our Law Firm Help You?

Becoming a financial sponsor for someone else is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. It allows them the chance to have the freedoms and opportunities the United States of America provides and to be united with their loved ones. Our outstanding immigration lawyer has nearly three decades of experience helping unite families and assisting clients in achieving their dream of U.S. citizenship. Please don’t leave this important matter up to chance. Contact us today to see how we can help make your dreams come true. Rely on our experience and vast knowledge of the law to help you navigate the complicated process of helping your family members gain permanent legal status. Call today at 312-728-4610!

Immigrants may come to the United States seeking asylum for many reasons. However, it can be challenging to get approved because of the rigorous application process. Asylum is granted to people who cannot return to their home country because they are threatened with harm, persecution, or imprisonment because of their religion, nationality, race, political opinion, or particular social group.

Because of the complicated laws regarding asylum and immigration in the U.S., you should first seek legal help regardless of the reason or situation. Our talented immigration attorney has nearly 30 years of experience helping people attain the immigration status they are seeking. Contact us right away for help applying for asylum in the United States.

What is Affirmative Asylum?

When a person applies for affirmative asylum, they likely cannot return to their country of origin due to fear or threat of harm. An immigrant must usually apply for asylum within a year of entry into the United States. Otherwise, they may face deportation, at which point they may seek defensive asylum. The main difference between affirmative and defensive asylum is that the individual applying for affirmative asylum is using asylum, withholding, or the convention of torture as a defense against deportation.

Because of the large backlog of refugees seeking to enter the U.S., the application process is more demanding and time-consuming. Those who wish to pursue affirmative asylum should begin right away by contacting a trusted legal professional for help with this difficult process.

What is Defensive Asylum?

Defensive asylum, on the other hand, occurs when an immigrant is in the process of being deported. An immigrant seeks asylum only after being summoned to immigration court for deportation. Defensive asylum matters are decided by a judge in the court system, making it even more important to seek legal aid from an experienced and talented lawyer.

Applicants seeking defensive asylum often lack the benefits that immigrants who are pursuing affirmative asylum enjoy. Because they are facing deportation, they may even be detained while their case is heard. Even when an immigration judge denies the case, options are still available. Speak with our talented immigration attorney today if you have been threatened with deportation and need defensive asylum.

Can Our Immigrations Lawyers Help?

Leaving your home, friends, and family and traveling to a new land under threat of harm is hard enough. You don’t need the added stress of facing the U.S. legal system alone. If you are a refugee who is in need of affirmative or defensive asylum, you can count on our law firm for help. We have spent nearly three decades helping clients gain legal residency in the United States, which gives us the experience and confidence to resolve any immigration matter that may arise.

You can put your trust in our knowledge, dedication, and honesty as we fight alongside you to make sure you get the justice you deserve. Contact our capable and compassionate legal team today to schedule a legal checkup at 312-728-4610.