Question:
I am an
B-1 visa visitor. I am planning to marry a U.S. Citizen. What is the
difference between marrying a U.S. Citizen in my home country or in the
U.S.? How long will we be apart to get Green Card?
Answer:
If you marry a U.S. citizen in
the United States, you may face a longer waiting time to get Green
Card, but you will be able to stay together while you wait.
If you chose to
immigrate from outside the United States after your marriage abroad to
a U.S. Citizen, the waiting time to get Green Card is shorter, ranging
anywhere from a few months to a year. But you will be separated except
for when your U.S. spouse can visit you abroad.
Spouses of United States citizens, like all
immediate relatives of United States citizens, are exempt from the
immigrant visa preference quotas. Simply put, a spouse of a United
States citizen will be able to apply for lawful permanent residence and
will be able to receive lawful permanent residence as fast as the
government can act.
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