Many United States citizens find their spouses overseas. When this happens, the goal of the couple is usually to have both of them living in the same country. If you are in this position and want to bring your spouse to the U.S., you need to remember that this might not be such an easy process.
One of the most important things to remember is that these applications take time to work through the process. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices are usually running behind on processing these, so you could wait for a long time.
Another factor that might come into the picture is that your spouse will come into the country on a green card. They will have to wait around three years to petition to become a citizen. During this time, they will be able to stay in the country as long as they are able to cross the border.
When your spouse comes to the U.S., they will have to go through the border officials. These individuals have the right to deny entry if they think that fraudulent information was used to secure the visa or if they think your spouse is a security risk. Being prepared for questions and packing appropriately might be beneficial. For example, a person who is only supposed to come as a tourist shouldn’t bring anything that signals they don’t plan to leave.
Throughout the process of being able to enter the country and applying for citizenship, your spouse will have to deal with the USCIS. This may include interviews and appointments with government officials. Be sure they are on time for these and that they are prepared. These proceedings can have a direct impact on their ability to remain in the country.
