Dangers of Marrying a Foreigner: How to Protect Yourself 💍

7 min readJul 15, 2024

So, you’re an American thinking about tying the knot with someone from another country, huh? Cool, but there are a couple of things you’ll need to keep in mind. First off, it’s super important to get familiar with the current U.S. immigration laws. These laws are your best friend in helping your partner snag a green card. But here’s the thing, marrying someone from another land comes with its risks. The last thing you need is to fall prey to a marriage scam or get tangled up in a fake marriage. Let’s dive into some smart ways to keep yourself safe while marrying someone from abroad.

Dangers of Marrying a Foreigner by Walter Tevis

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Tying the Knot with Someone from Another Country: What’s the Deal?

So, I’ve got to tell ya, marrying someone from a different country isn’t all love songs and romantic walks in the park. Apparently, there’s a chance you could be walking right into a scam. That’s right — some folks out there are looking to play the love game for a green card, not for heart emojis. The Center for Immigration Studies says it’s mostly middle-aged men who fall for this, especially those who meet their other half on international dating sites. Red flags to watch out for? If your partner is rushing to the altar, has an eye on U.S. residency, or is hinting for some cash, you might want to pause and rethink.

Now, don’t get me wrong, love is amazing. But when you’re signing those marriage papers, you’re not just saying ‘I do’ to your partner; you’re also saying ‘I do’ to being responsible for them in the eyes of the law. Make sure your love story is the real deal, not just a shortcut for someone wanting a green card. If it turns out the marriage was more about visa stamps than true love, you could be in a whole heap of trouble, like facing legal actions kind of trouble. It is also important to register on reliable international dating sites, such as SofiaDate or SakuraDate, where the chances of falling into the trap of scammers are minimal.

While you’re busy dreaming of a future with your international beau, remember to keep one foot on the ground. A few smart moves can protect you legally and financially, so you can focus on building that dream life together, without any unwelcome surprises.

Where to Find a Legitimate Wife from Another Country?

Considering expanding your dating horizons internationally? You have two options: the traditional, in-person route, which is notably time-intensive and uncertain, or the more modern and efficient method of using mail order bride sites. By creating a profile, specifying your preferences, and exploring the profiles of women who align with your criteria, you’re more likely to find a compatible match. This approach offers a straightforward path to connecting with someone who shares your interests, in a more formal and deliberate manner. Most legitimate sites for meeting a wife from abroad:

What Happens If You Marry an Immigrant?

So, you’ve gone and married the love of your life, and they’re from a different country. The first thing on your mind? Making sure they can stick around legally. Here’s the scoop: Just because you’ve said “I do,” it doesn’t mean your partner now magically becomes an American citizen. Nope, they’ve got to apply for a green card first, which is their ticket to becoming a permanent resident.

Now, getting this green card isn’t as simple as filling out a survey. There’s a bunch of paperwork and forms involved. And let’s not forget, there are a few deal-breakers that could make the whole application go south. Things like having a shady past, health issues, or any previous run-ins with immigration laws could get your spouse’s application tossed out. And if the folks in charge think you’re just putting on a show and your marriage isn’t the real deal, that green card is as good as gone.

But let’s say everything goes smoothly and your spouse snags that green card. What’s next? Well, now they’re on the path to becoming a U.S. citizen. They’ve got to hang tight in the States as a permanent resident for three years if you’re living together. If you’re doing the long-distance thing, they’ll need to wait a bit longer — five years, to be exact.

What If My Spouse Is “Out of Status” or Overstayed a Visa?

Alright, let’s break this down like we’re chatting over coffee. If you’re a U.S. citizen and your partner’s visa is a bit… let’s say, “past its prime,” you’re actually in a pretty good spot. Being married to a U.S. citizen puts your spouse in the “immediate relative” category, which is a big deal. It means they can go for an “adjustment of status.” Basically, this is a fancy way of saying they can apply for a green card without leaving the U.S., even if their visa is no longer valid. This is a huge plus compared to folks who might have slipped into the country unnoticed or didn’t follow the entry rules.

For those who’ve overstayed their welcome visa-wise, they can kick off the green card process the moment they tie the knot. But, and it’s a big but, jumping straight into it might not always be the best move. Especially if the ink’s barely dry on the marriage certificate within the first 90 days of landing in the U.S. If your partner came in on a visa and then got hitched to you (a proud U.S. citizen), they can whip up the USCIS Form I-130 solo or with the Form I-485 for that coveted green card. Hang tight, though, because these things take time, and simply filing doesn’t mean they’re safe from deportation.

Yep, until everything’s approved, your spouse could technically be escorted out by immigration, although having an application in the works might make that less likely. Now, if your partner didn’t exactly follow the rules entering the U.S., they might need to ask for a special pardon before popping over to their home country for the green card interview. Unfortunately, if they’ve been chilling in the U.S. without proper status for too long (more than 6 months to a year), they could be hit with a timeout from returning to the U.S. ranging from three to ten years unless they get that waiver sorted out.

Are There Any Regulations About Finances and Income Levels?

So, back in 1996, the U.S. decided that if you’re an American who’s hitched or planning to hitch with someone from another country, there’s a bit of a financial hoop to jump through. You’ve got to fill out this thing called Form I-864 Affidavit of Support. It’s basically your pinky promise to the government that you can keep your spouse living above the poverty line here in the States. And yes, this isn’t just for while you’re happily married. Even if you guys decide to call it quits, you’re on the hook for supporting them for a whopping 10 years.

Now, if your bank account isn’t exactly bursting at the seams, don’t panic. There’s a loophole where a family member can step in and say they’ll help out. And get this, your partner’s not entirely at the mercy of your financial situation either. If they’ve got some assets to their name, those can help make the cut too.

What Happens If You Marry a Foreigner and Get Divorced?

Okay, so if you and your spouse call it quits before they snag a green card, the impact on their immigration status is kind of a “maybe, maybe not” situation. Now, if they’ve already got their green card, the real question is what kind: the two-year conditional one or the regular ten-year deal. Let me break it down: if your marriage is still in its toddler phase (less than two years old) when you tie the knot, your spouse gets this conditional green card. But, if you decide to go your separate ways within those first two years after they’ve gotten their green card, there’s a chance they could lose their residency. Yep, it’s a bit of a tightrope.

Getting a divorce isn’t like snapping your fingers; it could drag on for anywhere between 6 and 12 months after you’ve filed the paperwork. Then, if your ex is from another country, they’ve got to hustle to apply for this special waiver because of the divorce so they can stick around permanently and upgrade to the ten-year green card. They need to prove with paperwork and their own story that the marriage was legit and not just a shortcut to citizenship.

And there’s another lifeline for the foreign spouse if they find themselves in a tight spot after the two years are up — like if the U.S. partner was abusive or if going back home would put them in a tough situation. Plus, just because you’re divorced doesn’t mean the financial support agreement (that Affidavit of Support thing) goes poof. How much support they get depends on their money situation.

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