Post
by Administrator » Fri May 30, 2008 9:59 am
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A Green Card holder can sponsor a spouse.
The key word here is "sponsor." Meaning, he will have to demonstrate the means to support his wife without recourse to public funds. His job should be stable, his income sufficient, housing accommodations meet all standards.
Also, both of you will have to demonstrate that the relationship is genuine. If immigration thinks it's a marriage of convenience, the visa will be denied.
Best track is get all the documentation in order (pay slips, employment history, etc.).
Get married in the UK and apply for the spouse visa from the UK. It will take some time, could be several months. Plan for it.
Either he will stay with you in the UK (for part of the time), or you will live apart (for part of the time).
This is the most straightforward method.
As an HSMP holder, it is also best if you dedicate yourself to making as much money as possible with your UK employment in the time remaining. The funds you stock into the bank will help prove your means to support yourself in the U.S. In fact, this advice applies to both of you. The joint holdings of your bank accounts can be used to demonstrate means of support .. so, the more the better.
You will only be allowed to take up employment in the U.S. once your spouse visa is granted, and that spouse visa will be your only permission to work in the U.S.
DON'T do something stupid, like try to get a visit visa to the U.S. and muck the whole process up by overstaying or trying to perform a "pop-marriage" in the U.S. Trying to change your status while in the U.S. is a fairly brutal process and usually ends in failure.
U.S. citizens can get away with marriage on visit visas, sometimes. Green Card holders have much more difficulty and can endanger their Green Card status if Immigration determines it is an attempt to bypass immigration rules.
the Admin