Archives: FAQ

The “public charge” rule is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal that would reduce the number of people who are eligible for green cards and temporary visas, by redefining what makes someone dependent on government benefits — or likely to use such benefits in the future.

Yes, and you must provide proof that the local district attorney declined to prosecute your case. Make sure to obtain and submit a letter with your application to USCIS.

Yes, and you must provide proof that the local district attorney declined to prosecute your case. Make sure to obtain and submit a letter with your application to USCIS.

Form I-693 documents the results of the required medical examination for a spouse (or other family member) seeking a green card. For those applying from within the United States, their medical exam is performed by a doctor approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who provides a signed Form I-693. For those applying from […]

Most green card applicants must have a U.S. sponsor who accepts financial responsibility for them upon arriving in the United States. An “Affidavit of Support” (Form I-864) is essentially a contract between the financial sponsor and the U.S. government, where the financial sponsor demonstrates that they meet the government’s income requirements.

Yes. Immigration law allows for people who can prove they lived in a real bona fide marriage with a u.s. citizen to file for removal of conditions/permanent green card by themselves, with waiver of the joint filing requirements. the waiver is based on marriage and subsequent divorce and often the green card applicant may even […]

Although a spouse seeking a green card from abroad can technically visit their spouse in the United States on a tourist visa, doing so is generally discouraged. Not only do immigration officers often deny entry to the United States upon learning of the tourist’s pending green card application, but “misrepresenting” one’s intentions for visiting could […]

A “bona fide” marriage means 2 people who intend to build a future together and who did not marry only for immigration purposes. Evidence of an authentic marriage can include joint financial documents, evidence of living together (cohabitation), tickets and photos from trips taken together, among others.

The final step in the marriage-based green card process is the interview, where the interviewing officer’s primary goal is to assess the authenticity of the marriage. Marriage green card interview questions can focus on the history of the couple’s relationship, as well as their daily activities and future plans as a married couple.

To be eligible for a marriage-based green card, the applicant must have a U.S. financial sponsor (usually the sponsoring spouse) who certifies in an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) that their annual income is at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (100% for military sponsors). The exact minimum income required — most commonly $21,137 […]