All You Need to Know About Spouse Visa USA: Eligibility, and Process

Are you and your partner hoping to begin a new chapter in your lives in the United States but are intimidated and perplexed by the process of obtaining a visa? Welcome to our in-depth guide on US spouse visas. We will walk you through each step of the qualifying requirements and application process for a US wife visa.

Your loved one's reunion in the USA is attainable, and we are here to offer you helpful information to make the process go more smoothly.

What is an American Spouse Visa?

A United States Spouse Visa can make the dream of living together in the country come true for people who are in love with citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Foreign spouses of citizens or permanent residents of the United States are able to join their loved ones and start a new life in the country with this kind of visa.

Benefits of United States Spouse Visa

A US spouse visa has numerous advantages, some of which are mentioned below.

• Family Reunification: The spouse visa promotes family unity by enabling married couples to establish a life together and live together in the US.

• Work Authorization: Upon issuance of the spouse visa, the immigrant spouse is eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in order to commence lawful employment in the United States.

• Path to Permanent Residency: Getting a spouse visa is one step toward getting a green card, or permanent residency, in the US. In addition to enjoying the advantages and benefits of permanent residency, it enables the immigrant spouse to pursue their American Dream.

Types of Wife Visas in the USA

Spouses of green card holders or U.S. citizens who want to live permanently in the country can apply for a variety of visas. The following are a few of the most common kinds of visas:

• K-1 Fiance Visa: The K-1 Fiance Visa permits the spouse who is a foreign national to enter the country and get married to their fiancé within 90 days of landing.

• IR-1 (Immediate Relative) Spousal Visa: Also referred to as an immigrant visa, this kind is granted to people who have been married for two years or longer and are able to show documentation of their sincere union.

• CR-1 (Conditional Resident) Spousal Visa: This category is for married couples who have been together for less than two years and who, in the event that one spouse's application for entry into the United States is denied, are unable to demonstrate that they are a lawfully married couple.

• Family Preference Immigrant Visas: These come in four varieties: spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents; siblings of American citizens over 21; unmarried children under 21; and married children under 21. Due to its ability to grant indefinite residency and provide access to numerous public benefits such as health care and employment authorization cards (EACs), this type is also known as a "Green Card."

Also Read: Navigating the Canadian Spouse Visa: Requirements, Process, and More

Who can Apply for the US Wife Visa?

If you are a citizen of the United States and you wish to travel with your spouse, they may do so by applying for a US Spouse Visa under the following categories:

IR1 or CR1 Immigrant Visa for a Spouse of a citizen of the United States

A foreign national spouse of a US citizen can be sponsored for an immigrant visa, offering a quicker route to permanent residency.

Eligibility Criteria to Sponsor your Spouse

• The sponsor must be a legal citizen of the United States.
• In order to file a petition on behalf of parents or siblings, the sponsor must be at least 21 years old. However, before signing an Affidavit of Support, Form I-864 or I-864-EZ, a citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States must be at least 18 years old and have a domicile in the country.
• The sponsor's primary residence must remain in the United States, and the sponsor must have enough money and assets to support the spouse who plans to migrate.
• The sponsor of the family planning to immigrate must be prepared to sign an affidavit of support.
• The sponsor must obtain USCIS approval for the I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), which is the immigration visa petition.

Fees for the IR1 or CR1 Immigrant Visa

K-3 Nonimmigrant Visa for Spouse of a citizen of the United States

The K-3 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa that is intended for US citizen spouses in order to reduce the amount of time that they must physically separate from their foreign spouse. In order to live in the United States with their American spouse while they wait for the approval of their I-130 immigration visa petition, foreign spouses can apply for a visa in the nation where they got married.

Fees for the K-3 NonImmigrant Visa

Before shifting into the USA, read Average Cost of Living in the USA for Students & Immigrants

US Spouse Visa Requirements

The following criteria must be satisfied in order for an applicant to be eligible for a U.S. spouse visa:

Application Process for the Spouse Visa USA

There are various steps involved in applying for a spouse visa, such as filing petitions, filling out forms, supplying supporting documentation, and going to interviews. An overview of the entire process is given below:

Step 1: Check your Eligibility

It is crucial to ascertain your eligibility for a USA Spousal Visa before starting the application process. In general, if you can show proof of a sincere and bona fide marital relationship and are lawfully married to a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you may be eligible.

Step 2: Choose your Right Visa Category

Selecting the USA Spousal Visa type that best fits your circumstances is the next step. There are two main categories:

• IR-1 Visa -Immediate Relative Visa
• CR-1 Visa -Conditional Resident Visa

Step 3: File a Petition

Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, must be filed on behalf of the foreign spouse by the U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse which is then submitted to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Step 4: Complete your Visa Application

You will receive instructions from the NVC on how to submit the application for an immigrant visa, pay the applicable fees, and supply the required supporting documentation. This will include health records, police reports, and evidence of financial assistance. Do as per the notice and submit your application.

Step 5: Attend your Scheduled Interview

The application will be sent to the American embassy or consulate in the foreign spouse's nation of origin after it has been processed by the NVC. The spouse needs to show up for an interview at the consulate or embassy. The consular officer will determine whether the spouse is eligible for a visa and will also evaluate the validity of the relationship during the interview.

Step 6: Visa Approval

If everything checks out during the interview and the paperwork is in order, the visa will be granted. A visa package including entry requirements for the US will be sent to the spouse.

Note: The foreign spouse will initially be granted a conditional green card, good for two years, if they enter the country on a CR-1 visa. The couple must file Form I-751 jointly within the 90-day window preceding the second anniversary of receiving the conditional green card in order to remove the conditions and obtain a permanent green card.

Cost of Spousal Visa America from India

The CR-1, IR-1, and K-3 Spouse Visas enable citizens of the United States to apply for permanent residency on behalf of their spouses who were born abroad. Intended to aid in family reunification, this type of visa entails a number of required costs that add to the total procedure.

Breakdown of Fees for CR-1 or IR-1

Breakdown of Fees for K-3

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Spouse Visa USA Processing Times

The US Marriage Visa Processing Times are listed below:

Spouse Visa USA for Gaining Permanent Residency in the United States

In conclusion, the US Spouse Visa offers a way for couples to get back together and start a new life together. There are various subclasses of visas that can be obtained; to apply, one must meet the eligibility requirements, submit the necessary paperwork, and wait the designated processing times. It provides the chance to work, study, and receive social benefits in the US, as well as the chance to reunite with family members.

Organizing your immigration process with trustworthy immigration advisors like GetGIS ensures that you meet the requirements securely and lawfully and also increases the likelihood that your visa will be approved. GetGIS’s goal is to give you the greatest immigration experience to the United States possible.