I need help with bringing my wife to USA?

Question

Hello,

does anyone have experience bringing their wife or fiance to the United States?

So far my "research" has tought me a few things.

1) In the philippines, there seems to be a lot of paperwork...like papers proving the US citizen is un-married...Im hoping someone here can make a list of the paperwork that we both will need.

2) How do I get my wife into the US that is considered a legal resident. I had a friend who told me that I need to be married soon before the US changes any laws....he says that if I marry her overseas, it will still count as her being my wife and that she'll be able to come with me "no questions asked / no strings."
But recently I have read on a consulate website that if I get married in the philippines, I will still be required to file immigration paperwork.

So if anyone can help, or tell me who to talk to, or tell me about a lawyer of business who can help me I would appreciate it.

Thank you,
Ryan

Answer 1

I went through a similar situation when I brought my husband over.

If you are engaged to be married you can file for your soon-to-be-wife's K-1 visa (Fiance(e) Visa). This way she will be legally able to come into the US and marry you. Once you are married here, you will need to file a bunch of paper work in order for her to change her status to a provisional premenant resident (2 years). After your second wedding anniversary you can file the paper work to have the provisional removed.

Please see the following:
First thing is to file a I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance:
The purpose of the form:
This form is used to petition to bring your fiancé(e) and that person's children to the United States for marriage to you or to bring your spouse and that person's children (K-3 and K-4 visas, respectively) to the United States to complete processing for permanent resident status (under the LIFE Act and Amendments of 2000).

Filing Fee: $170

Where to File:
If you are filing for your fiance(e), file this petition at the Service Center with jurisdiction over your area of residence.

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/I-129F.pdf
I-129F (Fillable PDF, 193 KB)

Once the visa is granted you have three (3) months to get married. After you are married, you will need to file the paper work to adjust your new wife's status to a Permanent Resident (commonly called Green Card).

To do that you will need to file out even more paper work.
Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Fee: $325 plus $70 biometrics services fee

Family-Based Applications

Immediate Relatives

If you are the immediate relative (spouse, parent or unmarried child under 21 years old) of a U.S. citizen, submit the following forms:

I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status
G-325A, Biographic Information
Your original I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (if you are filing concurrently), or a copy of your I-797, Notice of Action (if the petition was already approved).

I-864, Affidavit of Support
Filing Fee: None

I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status
All required supporting documentation as listed on the above forms.
You may download a package of all of these forms in PDF format (41 pages, 1.89 MB).

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/i-485pk1.pdf
You may also submit the following forms:

G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative (if you have a lawyer)
I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, if you want to work while your application is processed
$180 base fee, plus $70 biometrics services fee if you have not already been fingerprinted for another immigration benefit.

I-131, Application for Travel Document, if you need to travel outside the United States while your application is processed
I-485 Supplement A, and penalty fee if applicable. See 8 CFR 245.10
I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability, if applicable


No matter what you do, if you want to do it legally, you will have to fill out immigration paper work. It looks like a lot but most of it is repetitive. The only thing is waiting, sometimes it can a while. As I said earlierI went through a similar situation and USCIS didn't take as long as the State Dept (my husband was living overseas at the time). I hired a lawyer, a complete waste of money--she made a mistake that cost us 3 months. Just make sure that you have all the documents you need and any translations.

Best of Luck!!

Answer 2

Lots of paperwork and then no guarentee they will be alowed in. you just have to do it like everyone else there is no short cuts. don't you think if all you had to do is get married everyone would do that. contact immigration and they will get you going on what you need.

Answer 3

Your friend is wrong. It is a little more complicated than that. You need to file paperwork, lots of it.

Answer 4

you didnt say what state you are in but you need to talk to an immigration lawyer thier are alot of them do a google search

Answer 5

JUST MOVE BACK TO HER THEN THINGS WOULD BE GREAT