how long does it take for an illegal alien to get their green card if they get married to a U.S. citzizen in their home country? Is it a long process and where do they get married, is it like religious and everything or is it just a process of getting papers signed.
2007-08-03 01:18:19 · 12 answers · asked by Manders 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Sorry for the people before me....apparently they were not reading the question. The "illegal alien" that is marrying in his home country is different that marrying here sort of. Depending on the family and how they want to handle it they could have the BIG family wedding or you can go to the court house and file the papers just like here and get married at by a government official. (wedding dresses and attire are much cheaper in other countries) If he is Catholic and you have religious ceremony you are required to have classes (in Spanish its placticas but we don't know what country you are talking about). And, yes, it does take as long as it does here. There are some people that have been waiting 5 yrs or more just to get a visa! So it doesn't matter if they marry a US citizen or not it is the same amount of time as if they were single. That is why the debate of immigration reform and processing updated. The process for legal immigration is the same as it was 30+ yrs ago - without- computers a still takes the same amount of time. In actuality, the process and wait time was shorter back then - go figure. So if you are friends with someone that is planning to do that then tell them it will make no difference whether they get married to a US citizen or apply as a single. I would have them talk to an immigration lawyer first and make plans from there.
2007-08-03 01:56:34 · answer #1 · answered by Karma of the Poodle 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It takes USCIS about three years to process anything - that is how far behind they are. If the alien was present in the US illegally for over 1 year, he is subject to a 10 year wait. This can be waived, but I would guess that 3 to 5 years might be a fair estimate to get the waiver approved. Some will never be re-admitted.
If they marry here, they can never get a green card (under current law) but after 10 years they will be eligible for a stay of deportation.
Whether the ceremony is religious or civil doesn't matter, as long as the marriage is registered.
2007-08-03 02:54:37 · answer #2 · answered by BruceN 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they get married to an US Citzizen in their home country then the person is not an illegal alien. The US citzizen may have to go back to states and start filing all the papers to bring you here, but you are no longer illegal. It has nothing do with religion, it is just the process of the USCIS. How long it will take will depend on whether you give enough information, and don't have to redo somethings, and where the office is that is handling your case.. You can look at the different timelines at www.visajourney.com or www.USCIS.gov.
2007-08-10 10:22:12 · answer #3 · answered by Seasidelover23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is fair, as others have pointed out not everyone is on the up and up. The process takes time, you are not the only person in the US marrying a foreigner, wait your turn. You aren't the first to go thru this process, nor will you be the last. BTW did you even start the process before marrying her?? Did you get a fiancee visa??
2016-05-17 06:43:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like Poodlelv's answer. I think it is how things go. My son married a girl in Hungary a few years ago in her country. It took one year for her to get all of her paperwork before coming to the USA.
My son did have to go to Catholic classes in Hungary which was strange since he didn't understand anything. He just had to pay for it and go for a few months.They got married in a civil ceremony after all of that anyways.
Please be sure it is for love, my son unfortunatly was used by his ex-wife for the paperwork. We were all so disappointed.
2007-08-03 05:08:05 · answer #5 · answered by Marilyn T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Best to check it out first or you may be having visitation in jail as since the amnesty bill failed. He is a criminal when caught he most probably will be jail & deported even if married with children ,so do you want to live in his home country an will they except you there.Think about it??
2007-08-03 01:35:29 · answer #6 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You should ask yourself if it is worth the amount of money he is paying you to circumvent the process of becoming a legal alien, with the concomitant risk of prosecution for fraud if the marriage is determined to be just for that purpose.
2007-08-10 11:13:30 · answer #7 · answered by Wiz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you need to do is get married by court and then file for his green card from there. You have to prove your marriage is legit.
2007-08-08 06:49:11 · answer #8 · answered by greysfan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The process is a lengthy one could not tell you in terms of years.
2007-08-03 01:40:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Should we be checking the wedding gift registries Amanda? Do you have an announcement?
2007-08-03 01:23:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋