Why does marital status matter when applying for a non-immigrant visa?
There are many factors which affect an applicant’s non-immigrant visa eligibility. All applicants most overcome the intending immigrant presumption, Section 214 (b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality (INA) Act, by proving they have established strong ties to their country of residence. Overcoming 214(b) can be particularly difficult for unmarried applicants (including those in common-law marriages) who do not have strong qualifications of their own. A common law marriage will not be accepted for visa qualification or immigration purposes, unless it is recognized as legal in the jurisdiction of residence. Many applicants are surprised to discover that their partner’s qualifications (job, bank account, property deed) are not always considered when their cases are adjudicated. In such cases, the applicant must qualify for the visa in his/her own right. Q: Why doesn’t the U.S. recognize common law relationships for visa purposes? Marriage, aside from being a religious or cultural inst
