When you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, it seems like nothing can stand in your way. For those who happen to fall in love with a non-U.S. citizen however, they may have a few extra hurdles to jump over. There is absolutely nothing wrong with marrying a non-U.S. citizen in and of itself, there are just some things that you have to remember in order to ensure that holy matrimony goes as smoothly as possible. There are some rumors that deserve to be dispelled when it comes to marrying a non-citizen. If you are considering marrying a non-citizen or if you are a non-citizen yourself, then please take the time to make yourself aware of this information.

Some people are under the impression that by marrying a U.S. citizen you automatically become one yourself. Unfortunately, this is not true. Any non-U.S. citizen who marries a citizen will still have to apply for their green card. A green card signifies that a person is allowed permanent residence in the United States. Obtaining a green card can happen through a number of different avenues, one of them being through an immediate family member. In the event that a non-citizen marries a citizen, they will be able to obtain a green card because of their relation to a citizen.

If you are considering entering into marriage with a non-citizen, the non-citizen may apply for a fiancé visa. There are strict requirements that you have to meet in order to qualify. The one petitioning must be a U.S. citizen, the marriage must take place within 90 days of the fiancé entering the United States, you and your fiancé are not currently married, and you and your fiancé must have met each other in person at least one time within 2 years of filing the petition. A fiancé visa is a good option to allow your loved one to reside in the United States before you enter into marriage.

It is also untrue that being in possession of a green card is the same as being a citizen. After a non-citizen marries a citizen and obtains a green card, they must live in the United States for at least three years before they apply for citizenship. In the event that you and your citizen spouse dissolve your marriage, the waiting period to apply for citizenship changes to five years. There are also other requirements that must be met on behalf of the U.S. citizen as well, such as a financial requirement. When you meet the one you love, chances are you won't care how many forms you have to fill out. Just be sure to follow the necessary regulations so that your marriage will see nothing but blue skies.