If someone marrys an American citizen does that make them an automatic citizen or does that just extand their visa or green card upon approval?
2006-08-24 12:16:58 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Nut gobbler I am asking for knowledge I am not stupid that won't happen to me.
2006-08-24 12:26:27 · update #1
if they have a visa, then they can upgrade to a green card after marrying an american citizen.
if they have a green card already prior to marriage, they will still have to fulfill the 5-year residency requirement.
2006-08-24 12:19:40 · answer #1 · answered by St. Anthony of Y!Answers 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO you have to file for permanent residency and employment authorization (some people need a sponsor of support) Once you file they have like 185 days to give you an appointment. If approved your resident card is good for 2 years. After 2 years you apply for citizenship. It does not extend your time. If your visa expired before INS received your application and your married to a citizen you have to go to your country for renewal or your spouse has to file thru INS for you to come back.
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Hey I had no clue what was going on its very annoying until you figure it out but I'm proud to say I did the whole process by myself. It's nerve wreckin really bad but it was worth saving the $5,000.00 the lawyer wanted its a scam you do not need a lawyer unless you have serious problem like being deported before or fake papers then its necessary
2006-08-24 22:57:31 · answer #2 · answered by yo-yo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it does not make them a citizen automatically. It does not extend their visa ( two separate processes). A green card cannot be given without the proper application process through immigration. The couple needs to see an immigration attorney and be led through the legal process resulting first in a residence green card, and on to the path of citizenship. The extension of a visa has no bearing on a green card.
2006-08-24 19:27:40 · answer #3 · answered by Stomp 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it does not. Having experienced this first hand it isn't easy. The couple must remain married, if memory serves me right, for five years. You have to prove that the marriage was not for the purpose of obtaining a "green" card. The spouse of the citizen must become a resident during which time he or she can go through the naturalization process culminating in citizenship. Keep in mind that this will cost (attorney fees, INS forms, any penalties-especially if the individual was illegal).
2006-08-24 19:29:35 · answer #4 · answered by Popi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why no it doesnt make them a citizen. You have to be in america legally for 25 years to become a citizen, unless you were born here. After a "legal" immigrant marrys a citizen it still doesnt change anything but you can apply for a legal resident from a visa status. Its called "adjustment of status" until you apply for it paying lots of money for lawyer fees, application fees, etc you are still a legal immigrant here on a visa hopefully. Now one that comes here illegally will not get any residency benifitsfrom Marrying, and having a kid here other than the welfare they already get from all the tax payers- until he goes back to his country and starts all over the legal way by way of his wife in america. None of those things make you a citizen though.
2006-08-24 19:27:25 · answer #5 · answered by Kristi A 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it used to automatically make you s citizen, but no, not anymore. They changed the laws not too long ago, so that it doesn't and that instead what is more important when being looked at for wether or not someone can be a citizen is what they can bring to the country economically, special skills that business need that they can't find in american workers or higher education now play the biggest role as a deciding factor as to wether or not to make someone legal.
2006-08-24 19:36:41 · answer #6 · answered by Julie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did not work in California. When my girlfriend of 10 years married me, she (British Subject from Hong Kong) had to apply for US Citizenship and take all the necessary tests, fill out all sorts of paperwork, then take the oath. Not sure what the protocol is with other states. Also if a non-citizen joins the US Military, I think that situation is automatic, not marriage.
2006-08-24 19:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it doesn't automatically make them a citizen. The spouse still has to apply and wait like the other people wanting to become citizens.
2006-08-24 21:50:00 · answer #8 · answered by Mariposa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It does not make you an automatic citizen, lol. And you won't become one right away either.
I have a friend who is a natural citizen, went to Mexico to visit relatives and fell in love. Got married and she even had a baby. It took him over a year to even be able to bring her and her child over here...and they were married.
Even if you meet here and get married, there is still a lot of red tape to go through.
2006-08-24 19:18:47 · answer #9 · answered by lc 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It DOES NOT make you an automatic citizen that is a myth. You need to apply and go through the correct channels and then the NCIS will decide your fate.
2006-08-24 22:55:55 · answer #10 · answered by Carol R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋