Yes, a person with a valid visa can marry a US citizen. However, getting married to a US citizen does not automatically grant the visa holder US citizenship or immigration status. They will need to apply for the appropriate immigration benefits separately.
For those who want further information
Yes, a person with a valid visa can marry a US citizen. However, getting married to a US citizen does not automatically grant the visa holder US citizenship or immigration status. They will need to apply for the appropriate immigration benefits separately.
Getting married to a US citizen can indeed provide a pathway for a non-citizen to obtain legal status in the United States. The US citizen spouse can sponsor their foreign-born spouse for a marriage-based visa, commonly known as a CR-1 (conditional resident) visa or an IR-1 (immediate relative) visa. The process involves filing a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once the petition is approved, the non-citizen spouse can proceed with the visa application process.
Here is a table summarizing the main points:
| Can a person with a visa marry a US citizen? |
|---|
| Yes |
| ———————————————— |
| Does marriage automatically grant US citizenship or immigration status? |
| No |
| ———————————————— |
| What does the visa holder need to do? |
| Apply for the appropriate immigration benefits separately |
| ———————————————— |
It’s important to note that while marriage can be a pathway to legal status, it is crucial to ensure the marriage is genuine and not solely for immigration purposes. USCIS closely scrutinizes marriage-based visa petitions to prevent immigration fraud.
“Love has no borders.” – Unknown
Interesting facts on the topic:
- The United States recognizes both opposite-sex and same-sex marriages for immigration purposes.
- In some cases, individuals who entered the United States illegally may still be able to adjust their status through marriage to a US citizen.
- There are different visa categories for marriage-based immigration, including the K-1 visa for fiancés/fiancées of US citizens and the CR-1/IR-1 visas for spouses.
- Marriages that take place outside the United States are generally valid for immigration purposes as long as they are legally recognized in the country where they occurred.
- USCIS requires evidence of a bona fide marriage, such as joint financial records, shared living arrangements, and photographs together, to establish the validity of the relationship.
In conclusion, while a person with a valid visa can marry a US citizen, it is essential to understand that marriage alone does not automatically provide US citizenship or immigration status. Proper immigration procedures must be followed, and individuals should seek appropriate legal guidance to navigate the complex process successfully.
Response via video
In this video, attorney Mohammad Saleem explains the process of obtaining a Green Card through marriage to a U.S. citizen. He discusses how individuals already in the U.S. on a visa can potentially adjust their status by filing an I-130 petition for an alien relative and an adjustment status application concurrently. He shares an example of a client who transitioned from a visit visa to an F1 student visa and eventually married a U.S. citizen. Saleem highlights the significance of establishing a genuine marriage and obtaining professional legal assistance to navigate the application process smoothly and increase the chances of a favorable decision.
Other methods of responding to your inquiry
Can I Marry A US Citizen on A Tourist Visa? The short answer is: yes, you can get married in the US while on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or on a visa waiver program. There is nothing in the regulations that say individuals who are in the US as visitors cannot get married.
Yes, you can get married in the U.S. while on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or a visa waiver program. However, coming to the U.S. as a visitor with the sole purpose of getting married and then filing for adjustment of status is considered fraud.
A foreign citizen who entered the United States with official permission (on a visa, visa waiver, or something similar), and who then marries a U.S. citizen, may file for a green card using the procedure known as adjustment of status, based on being an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen.
The short answer is: yes, you can get married in the US while on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or on a visa waiver program. There is nothing in the regulations that say individuals who are in the US as visitors cannot get married. In fact, you are even allowed to come to the US as a visitor with the sole intention of getting married.
A fiancé (K-1) visa grants permission to a non-U.S. citizen who is engaged to marry a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. In order for your fiancé to get a K-1 visa, you will need to file a petition on Form I-129F with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).