Fiancés (K-1/K-2) in Colorado
A Fiancé is eligible to enter the United States in K-1 visa status but must meet various requirements and screening prior to entry. Their children under 21 and unmarried are eligible to enter on K-2 visas. Unlike a permanent resident applicant, a fiancé is NOT married at the time of obtaining a visa and is only eligible if NOT in the United States.
The Law Office of Catherine Brown LLC near Boulder, Colorado has extensive experience in obtaining K-1 visas for fiances from Canada, Russia, China, India, Philippines, Thailand, Europe and many other countries. We help our clients with collecting sufficient evidence, filing applications, preparing them for the Embassy process and interview and informing them of the process and timelines which are really important to fiances!
The main requirements are:
1. U.S. citizens only can sponsor a fiancé.
2. U.S. citizen and foreign fiancé must have met in person within the last two years.
3. The U.S. citizen and the foreign fiancé must be eligible and willing to marry.
While fiancé visas may sound simple and straightforward, in many instances they can be difficult to navigate depending on the dating, marital, criminal and immigration history of the foreign or U.S. fiancé, the U.S. Consulate the foreign fiancé is applying through, and if any children are accompanying the foreign spouse. In all instances, timing and procedures are best obtained from and explained ahead of time by an experienced immigration attorney, as well as additional advice regarding other issues that may arise.
As of June 27, 2013, the fiance of a US citizen in a same-sex partner relationship is eligible to file for this immigration benefit. The burden is on the applicant and US citizen to prove intent to have a legal marriage and eligibility to marry in whatever state allows same-sex marriage. Colorado allows for same-sex civil unions which does not qualify as a legal marriage.
If you wish to bring a K-1 fiancé to Colorado or the United States, contact Denver immigration lawyer, Catherine Brown to schedule a consultation. Contact us online or at 303-322-2117.
Spouses of U.S. Citizens (K-3/K-4)
Once married to a U.S. citizen, a foreign national can obtain a temporary K-3 visa. Any children accompanying would enter on a K-4. Similar to a fiancé visa in some ways, the K-3 visa, however, is different in that the couple must already be married and prove a bona fide and legal marriage. A K-3 visa has its advantages and disadvantages especially in terms of timing, costs, and geographic location of the couple.
K-3 visas may be difficult to navigate depending on the marital, criminal, and immigration history of the U.S. citizen spouse or the foreign spouse, the U.S. Consulate the foreign spouse is applying through and if any children are accompanying the foreign spouse. In all instances, timing and procedures are best obtained from and explained ahead of time by an experienced immigration attorney, as well as additional advice regarding other issues that may arise.
If you wish to bring a K-3 spouse to Colorado or the United States, contact Denver and Boulder immigration lawyer, Catherine Brown to schedule a consultation. Contact us online or at 303-322-2117.
Spouses & Children of Legal Permanent Residents (V-1/V-2)
Even spouses and children of Legal Permanent Residents can obtain a temporary visa to reunite with the permanent resident, but it only applies to I-130 Petitions filed on or before December 21, 2001. Anyone who filed an I-130 Petition after that date cannot benefit. If you have an I-130 Petition filed by a legal permanent resident spouse or parent on or before December 21, 2001, you may still be eligible and should consult an experienced immigration lawyer if this is the case.
If you wish to bring a V-1 or V-2 LPR spouse or child to Colorado or the United States, contact Denver immigration lawyer, Catherine Brown to schedule a consultation. Contact us online or at 303-322-2117.