{"id":352867,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:51","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/visas\/bringing-a-spouse-to-live-in-the-u-s.html"},"modified":"2026-05-12T15:16:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T20:16:00","slug":"bringing-a-spouse-to-live-in-the-u-s","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/visas\/bringing-a-spouse-to-live-in-the-u-s.html","title":{"rendered":"Bringing Your Spouse to the U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Bringing Your Spouse to the U.S.<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Spouses of <\/span>U.S. citizens<\/span> and permanent residents<\/span> can immigrate to the United States through a marriage\u2011based petition, but the steps and wait times<\/span> depend on your status and where your spouse lives. The process requires filing Form I\u2011130, proving a valid marriage, and completing either consular processing<\/span> or adjustment of status<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the U.S. government<\/span> puts a high priority on family reunification. This allows spouses and other immediate relatives<\/span> of U.S. Citizens<\/span> and residents to migrate to the United States.<\/p>\n

The process involves an immigrant visa<\/span> petition<\/span>, processed with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS<\/span>) and its agency, U.S. Citizenship<\/span> and Immigration Services<\/span> (USCIS<\/span>). This article provides a comprehensive overview of the steps, requirements, and considerations involved in spouse immigration to the U.S.<\/p>\n

Marriage\u2011based immigration involves strict documentation, and eligibility<\/span> can vary depending on your situation. Contact an\u00a0immigration attorney<\/span><\/a>\u00a0near you for help getting your spouse to the U.S.<\/p>\n

Who Is a Legal Spouse?<\/h2>\n

Under immigration law, a spouse is a person you are legally wedded with. It is essential to know that while two people living together do not qualify as legal marriage for immigration purposes, common law marriage<\/a> may qualify for immigration purposes. However, the validity of the common law relationship depends on the laws of the country where the common law marriage occurs.<\/p>\n

The U.S. immigration<\/span> law<\/span> likewise does not acknowledge polygamous relationships. For immigration purposes, they recognize only the first spouse.<\/p>\n

Visa Applications for Spouses of <\/span>U.S. Citizens<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you are a U.S. Citizen<\/span> petitioning your foreign national spouse to migrate to the United States, there are two ways to make it possible:<\/p>\n