Fiance and Marriage Visas - 11th Edition by Ilona Bray (Paperback)

About the Book

The process of getting a visa or green card based on marriage SHOULD be easy; but even for those who are clearly legally eligible, it involves stacks of paperwork, long waits, and the sometimes daunting process of proving you're not committing marriage fraud. This book helps bi-national couples make sure they're eligible and gives hands-on guidance on the entire application and interview process.

Book Synopsis

The book that's helped thousands of couples live in the U.S. together

You're engaged or married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and all you want is the right to be together in the United States. Should be simple, right? It's not. The pile of application forms can be overwhelming, the bureaucracy isn't helpful, and delays are inevitable. This book will help you succeed.

• Discover the fastest and best application strategy.
  
• Avoid common--and serious--mistakes.
  
• Prepare for meetings with officials.
  
• Prove your marriage is real--not a fraud.
  
• Deal with the two-year testing period for new marriages.
  

The 11th edition covers the latest, higher income requirements, easing of Trump-era regulations that put more immigrants at risk of being denied visas as a likely "public charge," and a new COVID vaccine requirement. It also provides handy checklists and illustrative sample forms.

Use this book if you are living in the United States or overseas and:

• your fiancé is a U.S. citizen
  
• your spouse is a U.S. citizen, or
  
• your spouse is a U.S. permanent resident.
  

Ilona Bray began practicing immigration law because of her concern with international human rights issues. She is the author of Becoming a U.S. Citizen and U.S. Immigration Made Easy, both published by Nolo. Check out her immigration-related postings on Nolo's blog.

Review Quotes

"An excellent resource for people who are trying to wind their way through the immigration service's Byzantine rules and regulations...." Mark Silverman, Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Author comments: The first time I helped a couple prepare a marriage-based green card application was both daunting and embarrassing. All those official forms, with strange-sounding names, and important choices to be made about where and how to apply! The clients were looking at me with worry. Their case went fine in the end, but I frankly wish I'd had this book then.

My goal in writing it was to demystify the process, and give readers an actual look at what paperwork they'll be preparing and what to expect back from the U.S. government. I don't intend for it to replace lawyers in all cases--particularly if you've entered the U.S. unlawfully, have a criminal record, a low income, or other complications--but reading it will give you a better idea of whether you need an attorney and how to proceed if you can't afford or don't wish to hire one.