citizenship.?

Question

if you are married to an americain citizen, can the husband file for a U.S citizenship for the wife who came to the U.S with a student visa. if so how much will it cost what kind of paper with be needed. and how long might it take.
thank you.

Answer 1

The first step is Lawful Permanent Residence. That usually just takes a few months. Citizenship follows three years after that is granted, upon further application. The fees will be close to $1,000 and I would recommend engaging an immigration attorney. My wife and I spent a lot of money but we do not regret it.

Good luck.

Answer 2

i had a student visa when i married my husband. i got a lawyer because it just easier and this way we didnt have to go to the immigration offices every time we need it to, instead the lawyer did it all.

the prices had gone up since we did it, so i cant really tell you how much you would spend. a paralegal can help you also and it would be cheaper.

you need to show the student visa, w2 forms of your spouse, marriage certificate, and more papers that a can recall exactly. the whole thing takes a yr. the 1st things you get is your social security number that says you have permission to work. by the yr of you applying, you will get the temporary green card, then in 2 yrs you get the permanent one, but really is only good for 10 yrs, but thats what they called it.

then after 5 yrs of your marriage and from your application date, then you can apply for citizenship. actually when you are a few months from that year then you put all the papers in again for the citizenship and it takes a yr too.

my lawyer said to us, if we were married already for 2 years, then in 3 years i would've gotten directly the permanent green card. meaning also that in 3 years i could've applied for the citizenship. but i was just married when we apply so we couldn't do it that way.

anyways, that 1st year, you can get out of the country, unless is extremily necessary, like if someone in your family died in your own country, then you get a special permit, but if you dont really have to, better if you just wait that whole year here.

i did this in 1999, and in 2004 i got my citizenship. you see it was 5 yrs exactly. because i put it in in 2003 in feb and by april 2004 i went to do the ceremony and got it.

Answer 3

I am guessing the US citizen married a foreigner who is in the US on a student visa. If the student visa is still valid then you don't need the immigration lawyer. The process is long, tedious and discouraging because of all the paperwork but you can do it yourself and save a lot of money.
A friend of mine married someone who came here on a tourist visa. They filed the paperwork, paid the fees, went through the waiting and interviewing process, and it was unpleasant but all right. The wife got her green card, three years later applied for a citizenship and they are still married. Good luck!

Answer 4

Visit www.uscis.gov. Your local library should also have a book in the reference section on the immigration process, including permanent residency and citizenship.

I think that the wife will have to file for a different visa, one of the K-type. She may be required to return to her native country to reclassify herself. After the K visa is granted, she can return to the US and file for Legal Permanent Residency status (more papers!). The time required to reach this point could be up to one year. Don't quote me. Three years after getting LPR status, she can apply for US citizenship. During this 3-year period, she may be allowed to exit and enter the US as many times as she wishes (for vacations abroad or visiting "home").

Answer 5

Marriage certificate, I-130 petition, some cash and patience.

Answer 6

A couple thousand, a couple of years