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at any
However, your new national status could be revoked if time, the fact that your marriage was arranged--especially if a payment was made--comes to light.
I have also heard stories that the Immigration "Service" in the United States will, if they are suspicious of a certain couple entering the country, take them into separate rooms for interrogation of a very personal nature to see if the two people are really married.
In my opinion, should you be considering marriage as a method of gaining a passport, it's preferable to marry someone you like at least sufficiently well to live with him or her for a year or so. While some money may change hands, if you can treat the relationship as one of
one of temporarily "living together"--despite the marriage contract--you will at least be reasonably comfortable in the situation.
Normally, marriage gives the spouse the right of residence. One still has to maintain that residence for the requisite period of time before citizenship can be achieved.
2. Relatives. In many (but not all) countries, a permanent resident or national may sponsor close family members. The defi- nition of "close" varies between countries. The following list, in order of "closeness," shows (in brackets) which countries will accept each category of relative:
Spouse (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, USA).
Children (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, USA. Restrictions--Canada: single children under 21; New Zealand:
dependent children)..
Parents (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA. Restrictions-- New Zealand: parents without other relatives in their country of residence.)
Brothers & sisters (Australia, New Zealand, USA. Restrictions--New Zealand: as for parents).
In none of these countries can more distant relatives, such as cousins, aunts, or uncles, be sponsored.
Policies vary between countries. For example, the Australian government is actively pursuing a policy of "family reunion." You could expect a wait of only seven or eight months before your residency is approved.