Obtaining an immigrant visa for your spouse
Any American citizen who has married a citizen of another country may seek to have their spouse enter the United States as a "Legal Permanent Resident" (at which time they receive the so-called "green card"). Becoming a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) allows the spouse to live and work in the United States and, if they wish, after three years become a U.S. citizen. Since you can only gain LPR status by entering the U.S., a spouse cannot get a "Green Card" while living overseas. This procedure outlined below is basically the same for the non-citizen minor children of a U.S. citizen.
The first step in the process is for the U.S. citizen spouse to complete an I-130 "Petition for Alien Relative" form. You should follow the instructions on the form, but you do not need to complete the "G-325a" form. You will have to show us your U.S. passport, an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, any divorce orders for you or your spouse, and color photographs of both you and your spouse. There is a fee of $130 (or kwacha equivalent). You may file the petition immediately after you are married, regardless of when you plan to travel to the U.S.
After the petition has been approved (which is done here in Lusaka), your spouse will be provided detailed instructions on how to prepare for the immigrant Visa interview. Please read these instructions carefully. For this interview your spouse will have to present originals of his or her birth certificate, marriage certificate, any divorce decrees, as well as police certificates from most countries where they have lived for more than six months since the age of 16. These instructions also explain how to obtain the correct kind of visa photograph and the necessary medical exam.
Once your spouse has the necessary documents, photograph and medical exam, a visa interview can be scheduled. There is a $335 visa application fee and a $100 visa issuance fee (also payable in Kwacha). The interview takes about an hour and the visa can usually be issued within two days. The immigrant visa is valid for six months from the date of issuance.
Please note that the American Embassy offices are closed on holidays.
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For more information or comments, please contact Dehab
Ghebreab, Director of the American Center, on
Tel: (260)-1-227993/4 ; Fax: (260)-1-226523 ; E-Mail: embpas@zamnet.zm
All visa queries sent by e-mail should be directed to ConsularLusaka@state.gov
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