IMMIGRATION HELP PHILADELPHIA
Husband, wife or spouse immigrant
If you live in the United States and you want to bring your spouse to live permanently in the United States, you either have to be a United States citizen or a green card holder. If you are a US citizen and your spouse is currently in the United States, through either lawful permission or parole, you will need to simultaneously file the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and the I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. If you are a United States citizen but your spouse is currently outside of the United States, you will need to file the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Once this form is approved, it will be sent for consular processing. After this happens, the consulate or embassy will provide you with notification and processing information.
If you are not a US citizen but you have a green card (permanent resident), and your spouse is currently in the United States, you will need to file the I-130. Once a visa number becomes available, you will apply for an adjustment of status via form I-485. If you are a green card holder but your spouse is currently outside of the United States, you will need to file the I-130. Once it is approved and a visa becomes available, it will be sent for consular processing. You will be provided with notification and processing information by the consulate or the embassy. There is a lot of paperwork that needs to be filed with these forms, and your application will not be processed unless all forms and documentation are complete and accurate. Even missing one piece of information will delay the process. We can help make sure you have done everything correctly and ensure that the process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.
If you are a United States citizen, your spouse will be eligible to apply for a nonimmigrant K-3 visa once you file the I-130. This will allow your spouse to come to the United States and legally reside and work here while the application for permanent residency is being processed. You will need to file the I-129F. You are not required to file this form, however, if your spouse is going to wait outside of the United States while the green card application is being processed. The I-129 only needs to be filed if your spouse wants to be in the United States before being granted the green card. If you or your spouse is in the United States military, you may be eligible for a green card or citizenship, and the process is a little bit different. Please contact us if you fall into this category so we can explain the process and help you through it. If your petition was denied and your spouse is not granted a green card, the letter you receive informing you of the denial will tell you the appeals process. Once you file the appeal and any fees related to the appeal, it will be sent to the Board of Immigration Appeals. If this happens, we can also help you through the appeals process as well. |
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