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Portner & Shure

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I will like to take this time to say what a wonderful job Pam Brown did on my case. I was involved in a car accident and my physcial therapist gave me the phone to this law office and Pam took my call and later on my case. She was very helpful every step of the way. I was happy with her service and how she handling my case. Natika Bartholomew

I was referred to Portner & Shure from a friend of mine and i'm glad he did. The firm is very professional. Mr. Shure came to my home and talked to me personally after a day of my accident. Not only that, their paralegal Sandy is very courteous and cheerful. She responded to all my questions in a timely manner and she constantly keeps me updated on my case (which I like). I would definitely use their firm again and would recommend them to any one. Mike Vu

Portner & Shure's services far exceeded my expectations. I would certainly recommend them to my friends, family, co-workers, etc. Their paralegal, Sandy went above and beyond for me. She always answered my questions and returned my calls promptly. I will certainly use them in the future if the need arises. Datherd Fraley

Dear Portner & Shure, P.A., I’m very pleased with the service I received from your law firm. Since the beginning, my questions and concerns were addressed immediately. My claim was settled in a timely manner. Also, I want to thank Sandy the Senior Claims Paralegal who made sure that all expenses were covered for my Personal Injury claim. I highly recommend this law firm for anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for handling my claim in an outstanding & professional manner. Sincerely, Rhonda B.

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Green Cards and Fiancees: The K-1 Visa

By: Jonathan N. Portner
Sameer Sidh
March 12, 2009

It is a widespread misconception that a foreign citizen living abroad must marry a U.S. citizen in order to gain legal entrance into the states. With marriage season rapidly approaching, it is important to note that a citizen can bring over their significant other even before marriage has occurred.

By making use of the K-1 fiancee visa, citizens can gain legal entry for foreigners that they are engaged to marry. Once the visa application process is completed and the happy couple is reunited on U.S. soil, the fiancee can become eligible to apply for a green card if the couple marries within 90 days of the fiancee’s entry.

To qualify for a K-1 fiancee visa, three requirements must be met: the fiancee must intend to marry a U.S. citizen, the fiancee and the intended spouse must have met within the last two years, and both the fiancee and intended spouse must be legally able to marry. Intention to marry a U.S. citizen can be proved in a variety of ways. Most commonly, proof of wedding plans and written statements by the couple describing their relationship are sufficient to satisfy the intention to marry requirement. Proof of meetings within the last two years can also be shown in a number ways. Photographs taken together, plane ticket stubs to the fiancee’s home country and visa stamps all serve as ways to prove a meeting has taken place within the last two years. Legal ability to marry is the easiest to prove of the three requirements. Evidence that both parties aren’t currently married and are above the age of eighteen are all that’s needed.

The process of applying for a K-1 visa is initiated by the U.S. citizen, who submits a petition on behalf of their fiancee to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. If the petition is approved, the case will be transferred to the U.S. consulate in the immigrating fiancee’s home country. The consulate will then contact the immigrating fiancee by mail, and instruct him or her on what additional documents to prepare. After the additional documents are submitted, the consulate will bring in the fiancee for an interview. If this interview goes well, the K-1 fiancee visa will be approved, and the immigrating fiancee will be permitted to make legal entry into the U.S. Upon entry into the U.S., if the immigrating fiancee marries their significant other within 90 days, the immigrating fiancee will be eligible to apply for a green card as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen.

For the best results in dealing with the complexities that may arise during this process, one should seek the guidance of an attorney before making the decision to apply for a K-1 visa.

Accident Lawyers in Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC

For over fifteen years the attorneys at Portner & Shure have been representing victims injured in automobile accidents. You may request a free consultation with our personal injury accident lawyers in Maryland, Virginia & Washington D.C., to make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to.

Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC Immigration Lawyers

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