Today people are ready to leave everything and move abroad to start a better life. One of such dream destinations is the USA. Finding a foreigner for marriage seems to be the easiest way to reach the aim and become happy in a dream country. However, obtaining U.S. citizenship after the marriage has many pitfalls that you should consider if you do not want to get disappointed in the long run.
How to Get Citizenship After Marriage to a U.S. Citizen?
You should mind one thing. It is not possible to get citizenship after marriage with a U.S. resident. However, the marriage will make you eligible for applying for a green card that in the long run leads to getting citizenship. Pay attention to the things that are essential for receiving a green card.
Process of applying for a Green Card
Getting citizenship through a fictitious marriage is not the best way to become a resident of the USA. But if you really love your spouse and finally you get married, then you are lucky. Being an immediate relative allows you to bypass waiting lists and apply for a Green Card at once. The spouse should initiate the process for you. For this, the partner needs to submit a visa petition in Form I-130 to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The petitions must be followed by evidence of marriage (marriage certificate).
When Can You Apply for U.S. Citizenship?
You are lucky if you are a spouse of a U.S. resident, as marriage with a foreigner gives you a great advantage. Simply put, you do not have to wait for five years from the day when you get a green card, to apply for permanent citizenship. You can quickly start the process of naturalization sooner if you stay married and live with your spouse all the time. Actually, you need to wait only three years.
Besides meeting the time requirements, you should have a good moral character, spend three years on the territory of the USA, be ready to pass the civil tests, and demonstrate good reading, writing, and speaking skills in English. You need to start the naturalization with a Form N-400. Also, you are expected to attend the interview at a USCIS office where your application is going to be reviewed along with checking your knowledge of the English language and civil law.
Differences Between Citizenship and Green Card
Differences between permanent citizenship and the green card holder are numerous. First of all, a holder of a green card can live on the territory of the USA legally but he/she will not have the same benefits as permanent citizenship. Mind that the way from a green card holder to permanent citizenship may take you many years.
Advantages of becoming a U.S. citizen
People are dreaming about becoming U.S. citizens just after the legalization of marriage with foreigner. The process of naturalization requires a $680 fee, tons of documents, and a detailed interview process. Once you are successful to obtain a citizenship status, you can enjoy a few great advantages, among which are:
- Voting in every election
- Living on the territory of the USA without risking being deported to the home country
- Traveling across the USA and outside
- Applying for a scholarship, loans, grants, or any other financial assistance
- Obtaining citizenship for own kids who were not born in the USA
- Working on the position of state or federal employee
- Obtaining health or any other types of insurance
Greetings! My name is Grace Mitchell. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist based in LA. While having vast experience in the relationship sphere, I worked with numerous couples, including international ones. I know all the nuances and possible obstacles to happiness that numerous people face when trying to create rapport.
