Houston Family Marriage Visas Lawyer

Assisting Clients With Family Marriage Visas in Texas

Family marriage visas, also known as spouse or fiancé(e) visas, are designed to help reunite families by allowing a foreign national spouse or fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to legally enter and reside in the United States. If you want to bring your foreign national fiancé(e) or spouse into the U.S., you will need to secure the proper visa through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

AT Maranto Law Firm, we know how vital this issue can be for families. You and your spouse or fiancé(e) will likely want to start your life together in the U.S. However, obtaining these visas is a hurdle you must overcome, and it can be a challenging one. Without the representation of a trusted immigration lawyer, your visa application could be denied based on suspicion of marriage fraud and other issues. 

Our firm has 17 years of practice behind us serving clients in Houston, Galveston, and Southeast Texas. Attorney Rafael Maranto combines a passion to serve with vast experience in U.S. immigration law. He knows what to do and how to do it to help you avoid delays or denials by the USCIS. He will work diligently on your behalf from start to finish.

When you work with our team, you gain the support of a marriage immigration lawyer Houston families can turn to for guidance that is both practical and compassionate. We understand how stressful it can be to wait for decisions that affect your ability to live together in the same country, and we take time to explain each step so you know what to expect from USCIS and from any required interviews or appointments.

Contact Maranto Law Firm to book a free initial consultation with our Houston family marriage visa attorney at (855) 961-0601. Hablamos español. 

What are K-1 Visas (Fiancé(e) Visas)?

A K-1 visa allows a foreign national fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. The couple must get married within 90 days of the foreign national's arrival. After the marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for permanent residency (a green card).

Eligibility requirements for a K-1 visa include:

• The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen.
• Both the petitioner and the foreign fiancé(e) must be free to marry (i.e., single, divorced, or widowed).
• The couple must have met in person at least once within the last two years before filing the petition (with some exceptions).
• The couple must prove their intention to marry within 90 days of the foreign fiancé(e)'s arrival.

Unmarried children under the age of 21 of a foreign national fiancé(e) may also be eligible to come to the U.S. They can be included in the visa petition and may seek permanent residency afterward.

Many couples in the Houston area appreciate having a family visa attorney Houston residents can consult before starting the K-1 process, especially if they have questions about travel history, prior marriages, or how long they will be separated while the case is pending. We can review your situation, identify any potential concerns that might arise at the consulate or during processing, and help you build a strategy that supports your plans to marry in the United States.

What is a CR-1/IR-1 Visa (Spouse Visa)?

A  CR-1/IR-1 visa is designed for the foreign national spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). This visa allows the foreign spouse to enter the United States as a conditional or immediate relative and eventually apply for a green card. 

Eligibility requirements for a CR-1/IR-1 visa include:

• The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen or an LPR.
• The couple must be legally married (common-law marriages may be recognized in some cases).
• The marriage must be bona fide (i.e., entered in good faith, not for immigration purposes).
• The foreign spouse must meet health and criminal background requirements.

For couples who are already married, working with a spouse visa lawyer can make it easier to understand the differences between consular processing and adjustment of status, how long each path might take, and what evidence is most persuasive for your specific case. We can also explain how a pending visa may affect work authorization, international travel, and long-term plans to settle in Houston or nearby areas such as Galveston or Pasadena.

Reasons for Visa Denials

Getting approval for marriage-related visas can be an uphill battle due to the common suspicion by immigration officials that the proposed or current marriage is a fraudulent attempt to secure immigration benefits. Furthermore, mistakes in any facet of your application and case can lead to a denial, after which your foreign fiancé(e) or spouse will not be allowed to live in the U.S. 

Reasons for denial can include:

• Incomplete or Incorrect Application: A visa application may be denied if it is not filled out completely, accurately, or submitted with the required supporting documentation.
• Insufficient Financial Support: If the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioner does not meet the minimum income requirements to sponsor their foreign spouse or fiancé(e), the visa application may be denied. In such cases, a joint sponsor who meets the income requirements can help fulfill this criterion.
• Ineligibility due to Criminal History: A visa application may be denied if the foreign spouse or fiancé(e) has a criminal record that makes him/her ineligible for a visa. Depending on the nature of the offense, obtaining a waiver or providing evidence of rehabilitation may be possible to overcome this issue.
• Previous Immigration Violations: If the foreign spouse or fiancé(e) has a history of immigration violations, such as overstaying a visa or entering the U.S. illegally, the visa application may be denied. In some cases, a waiver may be available to overcome this.
• Fraud or Misrepresentation: If evidence of fraud or misrepresentation in the visa application process is found, such as providing false information or entering into a sham marriage, the visa will be denied. 
• Failure to Prove Bona Fide Relationship: If the couple cannot provide sufficient evidence that their relationship is genuine and not entered into solely for immigration purposes, the visa application may be denied. To overcome this issue, gather and submit substantial evidence of your relationship, such as photos, correspondence, and affidavits from friends and family.
• Medical Inadmissibility: Certain medical conditions may render the foreign spouse or fiancé(e) inadmissible, leading to visa denial. Depending on the condition, a waiver or proof of treatment may overcome this.

In some situations, a denial may also be tied to what happens at the consular interview rather than the paperwork alone, especially at busy consulates that serve Houston residents with family abroad. We help you prepare for possible questions, organize your supporting documents, and understand how comments made during the interview can affect the officer’s view of your relationship and your overall immigration history.

Preparing for Your Marriage Visa Consultation

Before you meet with an attorney about a K-1 or spousal visa, it helps to gather key documents and think through your questions so you can make the most of your time. Many couples are unsure what information is important or how detailed they need to be when describing their history together, and a clear picture from the beginning allows us to offer more precise guidance. By coming prepared, you can leave the consultation with a better understanding of your options, potential timelines, and any issues that may need extra attention.

For an initial meeting with a marriage visa attorney in our Houston office, it is helpful to bring copies of passports, prior immigration documents, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and evidence of your relationship such as photos or travel records. You should also be ready to discuss where each partner has lived, any prior visa applications, and whether there have been encounters with law enforcement or immigration authorities in Texas or another state. This level of detail allows us to identify whether consular processing through a U.S. embassy abroad or a different path may be more appropriate for your circumstances.

Our office is accustomed to working with clients who live and work throughout the Houston area, including those who may need to appear at local immigration courts or USCIS offices that serve Southeast Texas. During the consultation, we explain how these local agencies fit into the larger process, what kinds of notices you may receive, and how we will communicate with you as your case moves forward. Understanding the road ahead can make it easier to plan for travel, employment, and family responsibilities while your visa application is pending.

How Our Houston Family Marriage Visas Lawyer Can Help You

Here's how we can assist you:

• Guidance on Eligibility and Documentation: The first step is to understand which visa applies to your situation. Whether you're seeking a K-1 visa for your fiancé(e) or a spousal visa after marriage, we will help determine the appropriate visa and guide you through gathering the required documentation, such as proof of your relationship, financial evidence, and other critical paperwork.
• Application Preparation and Submission: The preparation of visa applications requires precise attention to detail. We will help you fill out and submit the necessary forms, ensuring accuracy to minimize any risk of delays or denials. Our goal is to streamline the application process so you can focus on your life together rather than the legal hurdles.
• Consular Processing: For spouses or fiancé(e)s living outside the U.S., consular processing involves interacting with U.S. embassies or consulates abroad. We will assist in scheduling interviews, preparing documents for the consulate, and ensuring you are well-prepared for the questions you might face. Proper preparation significantly improves the chances of visa approval.
• Adjustment of Status: If your spouse is already in the U.S., we will assist with adjusting their status to a permanent resident without requiring them to leave the country. We ensure all necessary documentation is in place, and we will guide you through the interview process if required.
• Overcoming Challenges: Visa applications can sometimes encounter obstacles, such as delays or requests for additional evidence (RFE). If your case faces challenges, we are skilled at responding to RFEs and handling appeals, ensuring that your case continues moving forward. We will be with you every step of the way, offering solutions to keep your immigration journey on track.
• Removal of Conditions: Conditional residency is initially granted to couples married for less than two years. As the two-year period ends, we will help you file the necessary paperwork to remove these conditions and secure permanent residency status for the foreign spouse. This process is critical in ensuring long-term residency in the U.S.
• Filing Appeals: If your visa application is denied, we can help you explore your options for appeal. We will carefully review your case, identify the reasons for denial, and determine the best course of action to challenge the decision.
• Comprehensive Support: From start to finish, our firm will be your advocate throughout the visa application process. We understand the importance of keeping families together and will work diligently to help you reunite or begin your life together in the U.S.

Because immigration cases often touch multiple areas of your life, we encourage you to discuss related issues such as prior petitions, previous entries to the U.S., or any encounters with law enforcement in Texas or elsewhere. A family visa lawyer Houston couples turn to should look at the full picture of your history, so we take time during the consultation to review your background and coordinate with any other pending immigration matters.

Contact Our Family Marriage Visas Attorney in Houston Today

Securing a visa that allows you to bring your fiancé(e) or spouse into the U.S. can be a difficult and complex process. Our firm is here to ensure that your case is handled with the utmost care and diligence to give you the best chance of success. Get the professional guidance you need to give you peace of mind when going through this critical process by working with Maranto Law Firm, an immigration firm you can trust. 

We regularly work with couples whose cases may involve interviews at consulates abroad as well as follow-up steps through local offices that serve the Houston region. Whether you live near downtown, close to the immigration courts, or in surrounding communities across Harris County, having a marriage visa attorney who understands local procedures and common timelines can make each phase of your case feel more manageable.

Get in touch with us today. Call (855) 961-0601 to get started with our Houston family marriage visas lawyer.