Financial Concerns of Marrying Someone From Another Country

Getting married can be one of the great joys in life. But weddings and divorces have at least one thing in common: they can be very expensive. If you’ve ever considered the possibility of finding a partner outside of the US, you’ve probably also wondered about the red tape, additional costs, and your liability if the marriage ends in divorce.

There are 2 ways to marry a foreigner who will ultimately live with you in the United States:

There are many other fees for both options, but most are minimal. Both methods require actually meeting your partner in person, at least once. So, there is the cost of at least one trip.

In addition, you must provide proof that you are financially able to provide for your new family. In most cases, this means an annual income of at least 125% of the poverty line for your new family size. Assets can be substituted to meet the requirement.

In the event of a divorce, you are responsible for 10 years of financial support.

Other Factors to Consider:

These are just a few of the fees and costs associated with a foreign spouse. The costs and requirements are constantly changing.

An immigration attorney would be an additional cost, but well worth the additional expense in most cases. There is a lot of paperwork, and any mistake tends to send you to the back of the line. How long is the line? It takes 6-12 months to bring a fiancé(e) or spouse into the country from the time of the initial application.

Be financially savvy: consider and prepare for these expenses if you wish to marry a non-resident.

Michelle R Russell

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