US Marriage Immigration Guide: From K-1 Visa to Green Card Application

Two main ways for marriage immigration in the United States

There are two main ways to immigrate to the United States for marriage: K-1 Fiancé Visa and CR-1/IR-1 Spouse Visa.

K-1 Unmarried Couple Visa

The K-1 visa is specially designed for the fiancés of U.S. citizens, allowing them to enter the United States first and complete the wedding within 90 days.

•  - K-1 visa application qualifications and process
• U.S. citizens need to submit Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé/Spouse) to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After the application is approved, the foreign fiancé/e needs to go to the local U.S. consulate or embassy for an interview. For detailed application procedures and required documents, please refer to the USCIS official website.
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•  - Analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of K-1 visa
• The advantage of the K-1 visa is that the processing speed is relatively fast, which helps unmarried couples reunite as soon as possible. However, the disadvantage is that the foreign spouse must get married within 90 days after entering the country, otherwise they will face the fate of leaving the country.
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CR-1/IR-1 Spouse Visa

CR-1/IR-1 visa is applicable to foreign spouses who are married to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

•  - CR-1/IR-1 visa application qualifications and procedures
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents need to file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS. According to the status of the guarantor (citizen or permanent resident) and the length of marriage, there are two types of visas: CR-1 (married for less than two years) and IR-1 (married for more than two years).
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•  - Analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of CR-1/IR-1 visa
• The advantage of the CR-1/IR-1 visa is that the foreign spouse can directly obtain a conditional or permanent green card. The disadvantage is that the application time may be longer.

Want to know more about how to immigrate to the United States? Recommended reading article: Hong Kong Immigration to the United States Lazy Pack: Compare the 6 major immigration methods, conditions, and fees

The process from K-1 visa to green card

If you enter the United States on a K-1 visa, you will still need to undergo adjustment of status procedures to finally obtain a green card.

• 1. Marry in the United States

• After the foreign spouse enters the United States, the wedding to a U.S. citizen must be completed within 90 days.
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• 2. Application for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)

• After completing the wedding, the foreign spouse needs to submit Form I-485 (Registration of Permanent Residence or Application to Adjust Status) to USCIS to officially start the adjustment of status process.
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• 3. Obtaining a conditional green card and lifting conditions

• If the marriage is less than two years old, the foreign spouse will first obtain a conditional green card. Before the conditional green card expires, you need to submit Form I-751 (Application to Remove Residence Conditions) to convert to a permanent green card.
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FAQs about U.S. Marriage Immigration

• Financial guarantee issues

• The sponsor must provide sufficient financial evidence to ensure that the foreign spouse will not become a public charge while living in the United States. This usually requires proof of income, tax documents, etc.
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• Proof of genuine marriage

• Applicants need to provide sufficient and specific evidence to prove the authenticity of the marriage, such as wedding photos, joint account certificates, rental contracts, correspondence or communication records, etc.
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Precautions and Suggestions for U.S. Marriage Immigration

• International moving matters

• Immigrating to the United States is not only the processing of legal documents, but also involves many arrangements in life, of which cross-country moving is an indispensable part. How to transport important personal belongings to the United States safely and smoothly is a common problem for many immigrants. At this time, it is extremely important to choose a professional and trustworthy international moving company.
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• Fuuffy International Express: a trustworthy immigration moving partner

• Fuuffy International Express provides professional and comprehensive international moving services. With rich experience and a complete global network, it can effectively assist you in easily transporting important items to the United States. Whether it is personal luggage, household items, or even valuables, Fuuffy can provide customized moving solutions and use professional packaging and transportation methods to ensure that your items reach their destination safely and safely. Choose Fuuffy to make your immigration journey smoother and more worry-free! Get a free quote now with Fuuffy's Shipping Calculator to be fully prepared for your immigration move.
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Summary

U.S. marriage immigration is indeed a complicated process, but as long as you are fully prepared and seek professional assistance in a timely manner, you can successfully achieve your goal. From choosing the right visa type, carefully preparing application documents, to the subsequent adjustment of status process, every step is critical. If you are planning to immigrate to the United States through marriage, it is strongly recommended that you read this article carefully and consult a professional immigration lawyer to obtain the most complete advice and assistance. At the same time, when planning your immigration, don’t ignore the importance of cross-border transportation. Fuuffy International Express will be your most reliable partner, helping you easily send goods from Hong Kong to the United States and start a wonderful new life in the United States. Contact Fuuffy today to learn more about immigration moving services!