Fiancé & Marriage Visas: A Couple's Guide to U.S. Immigration

by Ilona Bray

The book that's helped thousands of couples around the world

You're engaged or married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and all you want is the right to be together in the United States. Should be simple, right? It's not. The pile of application forms can be overwhelming, the bureaucracy isn't helpful, and delays are inevitable. This book will help you succeed.

Discover the fastest and best application strategy.
Avoid common--and serious--mistakes.
Prepare for meetings with officials.
Prove your marriage is real--not a fraud.
Deal with the two-year testing period for new marriages.


The 9th edition covers the expanded provisional waiver opportunity, and changes to application processes. It also provides checklists and sample forms throughout.

Use this book if you are living in the United States or overseas and:

your fiance is a U.S. citizen
your spouse is a U.S. citizen, or
your spouse is a U.S. permanent resident.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

420 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Ilona Bray is an award-winning author of books for adults as well as children. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and received a law degree from the University of Washington. In her role as an author/editor at Nolo.com, she specializes in real estate, immigration law, and nonprofit fundraising.

Reviews

[Inyang Mandu Ime]

Really great read - very detailed and informative

Learned so much about the spouse and fiance visa petition process. Information was well presented explaining, and breaking down complex immigration policies into simpler understandable concepts. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is considering a spouse or fiance visa petition. Read this before you file your petition.

[Shawn C]

Well organized book on a very confusing topic.

[Chanita]

Recommended

I am a U.S. citizen and my husband is from Nicaragua. We live in Nicaragua. I need to come to the U.S. for several months a year for my work. I'm curious if there is a possibility that Jorge could come with me for that long.

We also need to learn about what he can and cannot do while he is here.

Also with the changes in immigration laws, we need to learn more about what his legal rights are in general, and with specific questions about entering the U.S. as my husband and while he is visiting the U.S. with me.

And also learn about, in the case of if anything happened to my Mom's health, what would we need to do to be in the U.S. for a longer period of time.

This book was good and definitely the place to start. I'd like to read more in-depth on these subjects. If anyone can recommend other sources, please let me know.

[AngiJo]

Ilona Bray gives very clear and accurate explanations on how to immigrate to the U.S. on a marriage or fiance visa. The author describes the processes step by step, including pitfalls to avoid. The author is very up front about the limitations of this book and appropriately tells the reader when it is best to consult an attorney. It also includes links and citations to online resources. NOLO never dissapoints and this book follows suit.

[Amanda]

I have the most updated version of this book, which was released in September 2010. This is a MUST HAVE for anyone whos spouse or fiancee need a Visa to the United States. I didnt get this book until I had to complete my AoS (Affidavit of Support) but I wish I had this book from the start! It would have relieved a lot of headaches and confusion that comes in hand with legal red tape.

[Kipahni]

A great "how to" guide on visa immigration. It certianly makes the application process less scary.

[Daniel Bacon]

I love this book! It guided my wife and I nearly painlessly through the USCIS process of immigration.

[Melissa]

The book is effective providing some clarity about the whole immigration process.

[Max Nova]

Clear and well-organized. Helped me understand the maze of immigration regulations