Itasca immigration attorney Ana M. Mencini and her associates at the Immigration Law Group have worked with many American citizens who have traveled or worked abroad and met someone they wish to marry and bring to the U.S. What many excited fiancés fail to recognize, however, is the length of time that a fiancée or spouse petition and visa will take and that the process is not as straightforward as filling out forms found on the Internet.

The first step in the process is an in-depth consultation where an experienced immigration attorney will determine all the relevant facts of the case and determine if indeed you are eligible to apply for a fiancée visa. Remember, only U.S. citizens can apply and the fiancée has to qualify for the visa.

Once the attorney has determined that a client has a viable case, a questionnaire is sent to the client to collect all the relevant information about both the U.S. citizen and the fiancée. A list of required documentation is also sent.

An important component in obtaining a fiancée visa is being able to prove that you and your fiancée have met in the past two years and that there is a bona fide relationship. The Service places a great deal of emphasis on this aspect of the case and this is where an attorney is invaluable in building a case for a fiancée visa to be issued.

Once you have petitioned for a K-1 visa to be issued for your fiancée, it can take nine months to a year or more for the government to process your request. Having practical expectations for this process will make this time easier to bear. No attorney or immigration official can honestly promise to expedite or speed up this process.

However, hiring experienced attorneys who have handled these sorts of cases in the past, like those attorneys with the Immigration Law Group, is the best step you can take to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. The biggest mistake we see people make is trying to apply on their own and then when the case hits a snag, it takes both time and money to fix it. Starting off on the right foot with an experienced attorney is the best move you can make to ensure that your fiancée reaches the U.S. as soon as possible.

A K-1 allows your fiancée to travel to the United States once. After that initial entry, you and your fiancée have 90 days within which to marry. It is very important to follow this time limit closely, as it will affect your soon-to-be wife or husband's ability to remain in the U.S. and apply for permanent residency.

If you are a foreign national who was issued a K-1 fiancée visa, and you recently married, we can help you file for adjustment of status. Adjustment of status is the process by which you change your status to that of legal permanent resident (green card holder). A legal permanent resident card will allow you to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis and is the first step in the naturalization process (becoming a U.S. citizen).

If you need help in getting a K-1 visa for your fiancée, contact Ana M. Mencini at the Immigration Law Group today. We can explain the process to you and help you every step of the way.

If you are married to a foreign national who is not physically present in the United States, you have two ways to bring your spouse to the U.S. First, you can apply for a spouse visa (K-3 visa). This visa will allow your spouse to enter the U.S. where he/she will then undergo adjustment of status to became a legal permanent resident (a person who can permanently live and work in the U.S.).

Another option is for your spouse to undergo what is called consular processing. That is the procedure by which your spouse will enter the U.S. on an immigrant visa and the receive a legal permanent resident card once he/she enters the United States.

There are pros and cons to each process and the one that is right for you greatly depends on your own personal situation. The attorneys at the Immigration Law Group are happy to discuss your options with you and recommend the best way for your spouse to join you in the U.S. as soon as possible.

If you need help in consular processing your spouse or getting a K-3 visa for your spouse, contact Ana M. Mencini at the Immigration Law Group today. We can explain the process to you and help you every step of the way.

Click here to see our frequently asked questions regarding spouse petitions.