Immigration Benefits for Same-Sex Couples

In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which denied federal benefits to couples in same-sex marriages. The USCIS is now prevented from denying same-sex couples any benefits that different-sex couples receive. This means that U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents can sponsor their same-sex partners for green cards and that same-sex spouses can also be included as derivatives in their partners’ green card and non-immigrant applications.

With the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court finding that same-sex marriage is constitutionally protested, same-sex couples are permitted to marry anywhere in the United States. Furthermore, the foreign partner of a United States Citizen or LPR person can also obtain a fiancé visa to come to the U.S. to get married.