U.S. citizens planning to bring their alien partners into the United States often have several options, but the spousal visa may be the best. The same applies to foreign spouses who intend to reunite with their partner in the States. The truth is, starting life as a couple can sometimes get complicated if one of you is an immigrant. However, Miami is often considered a safe bet. Its cultural familiarity, coupled with incredible immigrant communities, puts it high on the list of ideal places to settle with your immigrant partner.
The challenge, however, is the process of acquiring a spousal visa for this area, and that’s where a spouse visa lawyer comes in. In this post, you’ll learn the process of securing a spouse visa in Miami and how a marriage immigration lawyer can help.
What is a Spouse Visa and Who Is It For?
A spouse visa is a legal document that allows a foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen or LPR to live in the United States with their spouse. This immigration permit typically helps married couples unite with their spouse. According to the Department of State, spousal visas are available only when both parties are legally married. It means that even prolonged cohabitation does not count, except there’s a binding document proving legal marriage. Also, in cases of polygamy, only the first spouse qualifies for this type of immigration.
The spouse visa is among the most successful immigration methods. But the processes involved can be tricky, since they often fall into two similar but different types.
- CR-1 Visa: The CR-1 visa, as a conditional residency permit, is issued to spouses of citizens who have been married for less than 2 years. This visa has a two-year conditional limit, during which the holder (both spouses) must adjust their visa status.
- IR-1 Visa: The Immediate Relative visa is a family-based immigration option that allows select foreign relatives of U.S. citizens, including spouses, to enter the United States. However, it is valid only if the couple has been legally married for 2 years or more. It is also a more permanent immigration system that grants holders an unconditional green card valid for up to 10 years.
Note that the immigrant spousal visa differs from the K-1 visa, also known as the fiancé visa. While the former applies to legally married spouses of U.S. citizens and LPRs, the fiancé visa applies only to their fiancés. Moreover, whereas fiancé visas are temporary and last only 90 days, spouse visas last significantly longer and offer a more straightforward path to permanent residency.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore the Spouse Visa as an Alien Spouse
Getting married to a U.S. citizen does not qualify you to live in the United States. That’s the work of the spouse visa attorney, and ignoring it can often be a regrettable mistake. First of all, moving to the U.S. to live with your partner without the necessary documentation is a crime. This situation will likely get you in trouble and negatively impact your chances of obtaining permanent residency. But beyond that, opting for other Immigration methods can also put you at a disadvantage.
Of course, there are other routes to gain entry into the United States as the spouse of an American. However, since the spouse visa is relatively straightforward compared to others, opting for another method may not be advisable. Moreover, the uncertainty of being undocumented can often affect your chances of a happily-ever-after with your partner.
Where a Marriage Immigration Lawyer Steps In
The benefits of the spouse visa are clear and advantageous. However, the challenges of processing spousal visas push people to seek other, albeit more complicated, alternatives. Well, it doesn’t have to be so, and that’s where a marriage immigration lawyer steps in. Since most of the difficulties encountered during this process are worse for inexperienced applicants, having a professional to guide you can often be a gamechanger, and an immigration attorney is just what you need.
A spouse visa lawyer helps couples secure immigration benefits without the lengthy legal process that usually accompanies them. Their versatility and experience in all aspects of spousal immigration mean they know exactly how to navigate each step. This quality means you do not have to enter this process ignorantly, thereby improving your chances.
The Disadvantage of Doing it Yourself
Of course, you can take on this task yourself without an immigration lawyer for spouse visas. But it’s usually not advisable because the consequences can be way too costly. From delays to additional complications, here are some of the disadvantages of processing a spouse visa independently.
- Confusing Language: A significant challenge you could face if you attempt to process your immigration on your own is the comprehension barrier. This problem arises because immigration uses structures that you may not be familiar with. But with a professional around to guide you, you might end up misunderstanding these terms and hurting your immigration chances.
- Common Mistakes: Complex terms aside; the entire process can sometimes be very confusing for the uninformed. At other times, the sheer volume of these forms can lead to errors that could jeopardize the application process. One can avoid these common mistakes with the help of a trained professional who’s already familiar with the spouse visa requirements.
- Delays: One way simple mistakes hurt your application is by causing delays. It even gets worse because you can perfect your documentation and still encounter this challenge. An attorney can help you sidestep the common factors causing delays and secure your spousal visas in good time.
- More Complicated Interview: Visa interviews are not the easiest. But they can even become more difficult for applicants without prior preparation. An Immigration lawyer doesn’t just fill out paperwork; they also help prepare you against the surprises you may encounter in the interview.
- Rugged Appeal: If your CR-1 visa application ever gets turned down, you reserve the right to appeal that decision. However, it’s almost impossible to rally a successful appeal without the help of an immigration lawyer.
How to Choose the Right Spouse Visa Lawyer Miami
The bottom line is that embarking on a task like spouse immigration without expert help can quickly become catastrophic. Still, these benefits only become available when you partner with a good lawyer with the following qualities.
- Experience: Getting an immigration lawyer who has handled similar cases in the past is a genius move. It means they already know what to expect when handling yours and how to prepare accordingly. This quality also means you can expect fewer surprises, most of which you’ll be ready to handle.
- Local Knowledge: Of course, a lawyer can be good in general laws, but not so much with local ones. As a result, they may struggle to keep up with regional USCIS office trends. Getting a lawyer who is exceptional in both general and local immigration law can be crucial to the success of your Miami Immigration case.
- Communication Skills: It’s general knowledge that one of the primary skills of an immigration lawyer is the ability to communicate clearly. This fact is especially relevant because, as a client, you want your lawyer to be able to explain the entire process to you clearly in words you’ll understand. If your attorney is not a good communicator, then you might struggle to understand whatever legal advice they offer. In addition to being a good communicator, you want your lawyer to constantly keep you in the loop, so you don’t get lost in the process.
- Client Review: When it comes to services like legal counseling, a track record becomes very important. It’s an excellent way to check if your lawyer is as good as they claim. But more than that, these testimonials from previous clients can give you an insight into their customer relationship. You want to make sure your lawyer doesn’t just get results but also guarantees customer satisfaction.
- Personalized Services: Generally, you want to avoid law firms that treat you like a number rather than offer personal services. This situation is common among larger firms and even smaller ones with way too many clients. Get a spouse visa lawyer who is easily accessible and dedicates their time to helping you get a result.
Is a Marriage Immigration Lawyer Really Worth It?
As stated earlier, you can apply for a green card for your spouse yourself. However, the benefits of hiring an immigration lawyer and the potential consequences of going without one make it super crucial. Of course, the cost of hiring these visa consultants can sometimes seem steep. But it’s always less significant than the value they offer. Besides, getting one means you can enjoy peace of mind while they handle the difficulties of the visa application process on your behalf. The truth remains that the cost of hiring an immigration lawyer hardly compares to the disadvantages of going the DIY route, so yes, a marriage immigration lawyer can be worth every penny.
The Coleman Law Group Can Help You
Obtaining a spouse visa lawyer is one thing, but securing a reputable one can make all the difference, especially if you want to get it right on the first try. Unfortunately, finding the right lawyer to help you can also be a challenge on its own, and that’s where Coleman Law Group comes in.
At Coleman, our lawyers are experts in all aspects of spouse visa requirements. They are also seasoned professionals with extensive experience and are readily available to address your immigration needs. Moreover, every client is a priority at Coleman Group, and we’ll always do our best to help get your visa application over the line. Contact us now and boost your chances of securing that spousal visa!
Frequently Asked Questions About Spousal Visas in Miami
- How long does it take to secure a spousal visa in Miami?
The time required to complete your spouse visa processing may differ for several reasons. However, the expected time range is 12 to 24 months.
2. Does a spouse visa allow me to work in the United States?
Yes. But you may also need to apply for a work permit to obtain immediate authorization to work.
3. How much does a spouse visa lawyer cost?
The fee can vary among immigration firms, but usually falls between $1,500 and $4,000, depending on the complexity of the service. However, you can always count on Coleman Group to offer flexible payment plans tailored to your budget.
Legal Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
