Fiance Visa or Marriage Visa?

Deciding which visa process is best for your spouse can be challenging. Here a few things to consider when making the decision.

Are you in a rush to have your spouse by your side?

1. Fiance Visa- If you want to be with your spouse as soon as possible, the estimated wait time for the processing of the fiance visa is about 7 months on average.
2. Marriage Visa- If you don’t mind waiting for your spouse to come to the U.S., and to allow time for you to get your finances in order, the marriage visa process takes about 10-13 months.

Cost Effectiveness

1. Fiance Visa- if you are cost conscious, the filing fee for the processing of a fiance visa is $2,025.
2. Marriage- on the other hand the filing fees for a marriage based spousal petition is $1,260.

Permanent Residence Now or Later?

1. When a fiance visa is approved, your spouse enters the U.S. and you must marry within 90 days. After the marriage takes place you can adjust their status to a permanent resident.
2. Upon approval of the marriage visa application and entry into the U.S., you can apply for your spouse’s permanent residence almost immediately.

Overseas Marriage?

1. It’s important to consider where you want to be married before filing either visa. With a fiance visa, your wedding will take place in the U.S.
2. With a marriage visa, your wedding must take place outside the U.S.

Common Factors?

With both petitions, your spouse waits about 13 months to get their permanent residence card (aka green card) and he/she will later need to file another form to remove the conditions to obtain a green card.