non-immigrant visas

Definition of Spouse

U.S. immigration law defines a spouse as a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.  The word "marriage" means only a legal union, either civil or religious, between one man and one woman as husband and wife.  Even though polygamy is legal in Senegal, U.S. immigration law recognizes only the first marriage in a polygamous relationship; therefore, only the first wife can qualify as a spouse for immigration purposes.  Therefore, a second or third wife would not be eligible for derivative status or other immigration benefits as the wife of the principal applicant.