How can I marry a non-US citizen and then live in California?
If you are an american citizen, the fastest way for this to happen is to have your friend visit you where you live. He will be here on a tourist visa most likely. Get married in your state. You can submit paperwork to Homeland security by applying for permanent residency based on marriage which will extend his stay here. I just went through this process (my husband is from the US) It took about 12 months and $1300 in application fees. We did not have a lawyer. After all the paperwork was submitted we had a ‘personal interview’ in Fresno, Ca with homeland security. This is to verify you both do indeed know and love each other etc. This took 5 minutes for us. Now, I have permanent residency in the US and am married. If you choose a fiance visa route this can take years and you cannot travel to see each other during that time. These are the catches: It is illegal to come into the US with the intent on staying here/over staying a visa/getting married etc. They can and will deny you entry i
