Want to bring your spouse or fiancé to the United States? Mandi Law Group provides experienced legal representation for K-1 fiancé visas, spousal immigrant visas, marriage green cards, and removal of conditions throughout New York.
Marriage-based immigration requires substantial documentation and careful preparation to prove your relationship is genuine. Attorney Musani Imtiaz guides couples through every step — from petition filing to green card approval.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by using this site.
Choose the right pathway for your situation: fiancé visa, spousal immigrant visa, or adjustment of status.
For engaged couples who plan to marry within 90 days of the foreign fiancé's arrival in the U.S. U.S. citizen files I-129F petition. After approval, fiancé applies for K-1 visa at embassy. Couple must marry within 90 days and file for green card adjustment. Processing time: 6-12 months total.
For couples already legally married. U.S. citizen or green card holder files I-130 petition. Foreign spouse undergoes consular processing abroad and receives immigrant visa. Green card issued upon entry to U.S. CR-1 (conditional, 2 years) if married less than 2 years; IR-1 (permanent, 10 years) if married 2+ years. Processing: 12-18 months.
For spouses already in the U.S. on valid status. U.S. citizen or green card holder files I-130 and spouse simultaneously files I-485 adjustment of status. USCIS interview required. Conditional 2-year green card if married less than 2 years at approval; 10-year green card if married 2+ years. Processing: 10-14 months.
Required for conditional green card holders to remove the 2-year condition. Filed jointly with spouse within 90 days before 2nd anniversary of conditional green card. Waiver available if divorced, widowed, or abused. Upon approval, receive 10-year permanent green card. Processing: 12-24 months with extended validity receipt.
Comprehensive legal representation for all types of marriage-based immigration in New York.
K-1 fiancé visa petitions for couples planning to marry in U.S.
CR-1/IR-1 spousal immigrant visa applications for married couples
I-130 family petition for immediate relative spouse
I-485 adjustment of status for marriage-based green cards
I-751 removal of conditions on conditional green cards
USCIS marriage interview preparation and representation
Consular processing for spousal visas abroad
Marriage fraud waiver (I-751) for difficult cases
VAWA self-petitions for abused spouses
Hardship waivers for inadmissibility issues
From initial consultation to green card approval, we manage every aspect of your marriage-based immigration case.
We evaluate your relationship history, documentation, prior marriages, criminal history, and immigration status to determine the optimal pathway (K-1 vs. CR-1/IR-1 vs. adjustment) and identify potential admissibility issues.
Your attorney prepares comprehensive I-129F (K-1) or I-130 (spousal) petition with detailed relationship evidence including photos, correspondence, travel records, joint finances, and affidavits. We establish bona fide marriage and meet all USCIS requirements.
After USCIS approval, petition transfers to National Visa Center (NVC) for visa processing. We prepare DS-260, financial documents (I-864 Affidavit of Support), civil documents, and medical exam. Foreign spouse attends embassy interview.
For adjustment of status cases, we prepare you for USCIS marriage interview with comprehensive question review, document organization, and interview strategy. Your attorney can attend the interview to provide legal representation.
Upon approval, receive conditional or permanent green card. We provide guidance on maintaining status, I-751 filing timeline (if conditional), and long-term planning for citizenship eligibility.
USCIS requires substantial evidence that your marriage is genuine and not solely for immigration benefit. Strong documentation is critical for approval.
Marriage certificate (official, government-issued)
Joint financial documents (bank accounts, leases, mortgages)
Photos together throughout relationship (with family, friends, trips)
Correspondence (emails, texts, letters, social media messages)
Travel records showing visits and time spent together
Affidavits from family and friends attesting to genuine relationship
Birth certificates of any children together
Proof of joint residence (utility bills, insurance, tax returns)
Start collecting relationship evidence from the beginning. The more documentation you provide showing commingled finances, shared residence, and genuine relationship, the stronger your case. We help you organize evidence strategically to meet USCIS requirements.
Planning to marry your foreign fiancé in the U.S.? We handle K-1 fiancé visa petitions, interview preparation, and subsequent adjustment of status after marriage.
Married abroad and want to bring your spouse to the U.S.? We handle CR-1/IR-1 spousal visas, consular processing, and I-130 petitions for permanent residence.
K-1 is faster initially (6-9 months to U.S. arrival) but requires adjustment after marriage, adding 10-14 months for green card. CR-1/IR-1 takes longer upfront (12-18 months) but spouse receives green card immediately upon U.S. entry. CR-1/IR-1 is often better for couples willing to wait because: (1) spouse can work immediately upon arrival, (2) avoids adjustment costs and delays, (3) if married 2+ years at approval, receive 10-year green card avoiding I-751. K-1 suits couples wanting faster reunion who plan to marry in U.S.
Marriage green card processing times vary by pathway. K-1 fiancé visa: 6-9 months for visa approval, then 10-14 months for adjustment (total 16-23 months). CR-1/IR-1 spousal visa: 12-18 months from I-130 filing to immigrant visa. I-485 adjustment in U.S.: 10-14 months from filing to green card. I-751 removal of conditions: 12-24 months but extended receipt notice allows continued residence and work. NYC field office generally processes within these ranges.
USCIS requires substantial evidence that your marriage is genuine and not solely for immigration benefit. Strong evidence includes: (1) marriage certificate, (2) joint bank accounts and credit cards, (3) joint lease or mortgage, (4) photos together throughout relationship with family/friends, (5) birth certificates of children together, (6) insurance policies listing spouse as beneficiary, (7) joint tax returns, (8) travel records showing trips together, (9) correspondence (emails, texts, letters), (10) affidavits from family/friends. More evidence is always better for marriage cases.
If you entered without inspection (EWI) or crossed the border illegally, you generally cannot adjust status even when married to U.S. citizen, with limited exceptions. Options include: (1) if you have approved I-130 filed before April 2001, you may qualify under INA 245(i) with $1,000 penalty, (2) consular processing abroad, but triggers 3/10 year unlawful presence bars requiring I-601A waiver, (3) certain VAWA or U-visa beneficiaries can adjust despite EWI. This is complex — attorney review is essential before filing anything.
USCIS marriage interviews typically last 15-60 minutes. Officer reviews your I-485 application, asks questions about your relationship, how you met, wedding details, daily life together, household finances, and future plans. You may be interviewed together or separately. Bring all requested documents plus originals of submitted evidence. Officers look for consistency between spouses' answers and genuine relationship indicators. Incomplete or inconsistent answers can trigger fraud investigation. Attorney preparation significantly improves interview success.
Divorce before I-751 approval requires filing I-751 waiver requesting removal of joint filing requirement. You must demonstrate: (1) marriage was bona fide when entered, (2) divorce not your fault or for immigration benefit. Evidence includes divorce decree, marriage certificate, relationship evidence, explanation of marriage breakdown. Waiver cases are harder than joint filings. If divorced before filing I-751, file waiver immediately — don't wait. Extended delays can result in removal proceedings. Attorney representation is critical for I-751 waivers.
Yes, but depends on pathway. K-1 fiancé visa holders cannot work until they file I-765 with adjustment application (usually 3-6 months after marriage). CR-1/IR-1 visa holders can work immediately upon U.S. entry with immigrant visa. I-485 adjustment applicants can file I-765 simultaneously and typically receive work permit (EAD) in 3-6 months. I-765 approval allows unrestricted work authorization until green card arrives. Some applicants already have work status (H-1B, L-1) and can continue working.
Marriage visa attorney fees in New York typically range $2,500-$6,000 depending on case complexity. K-1 fiancé visa: $2,500-$4,000 for I-129F petition plus $1,500-$3,000 for subsequent adjustment. CR-1/IR-1 spousal visa: $3,000-$5,000 for I-130 and consular processing. I-485 adjustment of status: $3,000-$5,000 including interview prep. I-751 removal of conditions: $2,000-$4,000 (joint filing) or $3,000-$6,000 (waiver). USCIS filing fees are additional. Complex cases (criminal history, prior denials, waivers) cost more. We offer consultations and transparent pricing.
If USCIS suspects fraud (marriage solely for green card), they may: (1) issue RFE requesting additional evidence, (2) schedule second 'Stokes interview' where spouses questioned separately, (3) conduct home visits, (4) refer to fraud investigation unit. If fraud determined, consequences include: green card denial, removal proceedings, criminal prosecution (up to 5 years prison, $250,000 fine), permanent immigration bar. NEVER enter fraudulent marriage. If legitimately married but USCIS suspects fraud, attorney representation is essential to overcome suspicion with proper evidence.
Yes. Since 2013 Supreme Court decision (U.S. v. Windsor), USCIS recognizes same-sex marriages for all immigration benefits. Same-sex spouses have identical rights as opposite-sex spouses for K-1, CR-1/IR-1, I-485 adjustment, and I-751 petitions. Marriage must be legally valid in jurisdiction where performed. USCIS cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation. Same-sex couples follow same process, documentation requirements, and interview procedures as all married couples.
Schedule a consultation with Attorney Musani Imtiaz to discuss your marriage visa options, documentation requirements, and application timeline.
Helpful government resources for marriage-based immigration:
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes and not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. No attorney-client relationship is created by visiting this website. Consult with a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.