2006-12-07 07:56:56 · 7 answers · asked by sweetguy2cute 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
I'm a US citizen and it took my wife 7 months.... I'd guess it would be longer for green card holders. Each INS office has different workloads though, so a lot depends on how busy the office is you're dealing with.
2006-12-07 08:00:11 · answer #1 · answered by Rossonero NorCal SFECU 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The previous posters are incorrect. I am an immigration lawyer, and you can be a resident and apply for your wife. It is not better to wait until you are a citizen. The U.S. has preference categories, so if you're a resident and you're applying for your wife, you would be in a lower preference category than a United States Citizen applying for his or her wife. HOWEVER, you can apply and then once you get your citizenship, it will be bumped up to that category. I hope this makes sense. Also, the length of time you have to wait as a resident depends on the country that she is from. If she is here without papers she may not be able to adjust status while in the United States, unless you did the first step (I-130) before April 30, 2001. I recommend getting an attorney.
2006-12-07 17:02:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
even if u r a green card holder, u should file your papers first to become a US Citizen (should be a green card holder for at least 5 years) before you can petition your wife and gets to adjust her status.
2006-12-07 16:08:52 · answer #3 · answered by LadyLene 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to be a citizen in order to petition a status change for your wife.
2006-12-07 16:21:01 · answer #4 · answered by glitterkittyy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
believe that glitterkitty is right, you must wait til you are a citizen before you can apply for your wife.
2006-12-07 16:29:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm a us citizen and my husband (a jamaican citizen) and i have been waiting for over a year now.
good luck
2006-12-07 16:41:31 · answer #6 · answered by K B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.visausa.com
depends! consult an attorney a few months to several years
2006-12-07 15:59:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋