Many of our clients come to us with questions about what their options are for moving to the US with their new British love. I have decided to outline the main questions/areas to be thinking about and in part two, I will outline some potential routes for moving to the United States.

Where do you want to get married? The list of factors which lead to the big decision of which country to get married in are endless. Family members’ ability to travel, financial questions, dreams from a young age about what the wedding day will look like - these are just the tip of the iceberg. But when you decide on a place, your next thought should be whether you require a visa for the non-citizen(s) to enter and marry and what that will entail.
Where do you want to live? Job prospects, proximity to extended family and friends, living costs, and cultural differences are just the beginning when thinking about this major decision. At the end of the day, deciding where to live will be your biggest decision and will likely impact you the longest.
How long are you willing to spend apart? Long distance in a relationship is rarely fun for any couple. However, some couples are willing to spend longer apart than others and deciding where you land on the spectrum and which factors you two will allow to trump the ability to be together (ex: being able to work) goes far.
Can one of you take off time from work or go for months without a paycheck? Various routes may require that one of you not work for a certain amount of time (or make it difficult), whether it be waiting for a visa to finalize, holding a visa which does not allow for employment, or waiting for a work permit (EAD) to be processed. Thinking about how flexible you both are with your careers often times becomes a main consideration for our clients, especially when wedding costs are looming.
Money money money Emigrating to a foreign country and getting married are both costly endeavors which can take a toll on your finances. Setting budgets for travel, the wedding and any necessary legal advice can be extremely helpful to avoid stress. Deciding if one of you will need to take some time off (and calculating that lack of income) at the outset is advisable.

To speak with one of our experienced Immigration Attorneys about fiance or marriage visas for the United States, please email info@baimmigrationlaw.com or call (0)203 102 7966