Alright, I hope someone can help me. I'm asking this question for a friend. She's german and is engaged to an american. They're about to get married and they both want to live here in the US. Does anybody know if it's easier to get married in germany and come back to the US to do the immigration stuff or is it easier and faster to do it all here?
I'm german too and got married here in the US and it took me less than half a year to get my green card. But I have no idea how it works if they'd marry in germany and then come back. Her concern is about work. She wants to work asap and can't until she has her work permit.
I hope someone can give me/her some useful advice. (Hopefully someone with experience about it)
Thanx
2006-11-02 10:23:00 · 9 answers · asked by pearl_682 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
I'm german too and got immigrated here. I know about the whole immigration process and I know she WON'T need to apply for a visa before she gets married. I didn't need to either.
But anyway, I just need to know if it makes more sense to marry here or in germany. Does it make it easier or more complicated?
Thanx
2006-11-02 23:05:07 · update #1
Speaking from experience...
It is much easier from an American immigration services point of view if the marridge certificate is an american one...there is a very bureaucratic process to the immigatation if the marridge was outside of the US...it won't make a difference in real terms but it will take longer...
2006-11-02 23:04:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she comes to the United States, she will have to apply for a visa before getting married anyway. It will just depend on what type of visa she applies for. I would not try to come on a tourist visa because the INS looks at the type of visa you had prior to getting married during the application process for a visa. Tourist visas and student visas are typically more sucpicious due to the fact that so many people try to cheat the system with those visas.
I have heard that you can both get a visa, and apply for a green card from overseas if you are married. This means that they could start working within a few weeks of coming to the country if her work permit gets approved. I would reccomend getting married overseas,applying for the visa in Germany, and then working through the greencard in case it takes longer. You can do either or without worrying, but I have heard that it is easier to apply from overseas when you are already married. I have many friends that have had weddings in both countries to satisfy family.
My wife tried to get a greencard after getting married here and it took us three years. I have friends that got married overseas and they had a much easier time. I also would not get an immigration lawyer. They typically don't carry much weight with the INS and you can always go to your congressman if there are problems.
The other thing to consider is whether or not Germany will recognize the marriage if it is done in the US. Most countries do, but my sister had to get married twice just because the country where she lives wouldn't recognize her marriage in order for her to get a residence permit.
2006-11-02 18:45:48 · answer #2 · answered by alobello60618 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It used to be better to petition for entry to get married, get married here and then apply for adjustment of status. That is how I did it five years ago. I applied in June, Immigrated on Hallowe'en and would have had my work permit in early March had the nice Immigration Officer not stamped my passport with permission to work immediately (they don't do that any more, unfortunately).
However, I believe it is much easier to marry here than it used to be, so that route may be worth investigating. Having said that, the work permit isn't going to come through any quicker.
The best thing to do is discuss it with an immigration attorney. Every case is different and there may be particular reasons for an attorney advising one way or the other.
2006-11-02 18:51:19 · answer #3 · answered by skip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she can come here legally she must be VERY careful not to tell anyone she plans to get married or they'll turn her around and send her back. Tell her not to even tell customs and immigration she has a boyfriend. Just tell 'em she's visiting friends.
Once here she can get married and file for BOTH
1. immigration
and
2. change of status
at the same time. They'll allow her to wait in the United States while the paperwork is processed.
If she gets married in Germany her husband will have to come back to the United States (he can't file it in Germany at the U.S. embassy unless he lives full time in Germany) and file an immigration petition for her. It could take up to 6 months to process.
2006-11-02 18:33:56 · answer #4 · answered by Yak Rider 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-11-02 18:24:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always better to get married there and then file at the Embassy.
2006-11-02 18:25:32 · answer #6 · answered by Have gun, will travel. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it about the same paperwork but if you are married before you come here you are bumped to the top of the list for your interview
2006-11-02 18:35:54 · answer #7 · answered by trk1704 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is better Here, easier,
2006-11-02 18:34:47 · answer #8 · answered by arqui 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she can come here legally is better to do it here and faster.
2006-11-02 18:24:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋