do they automatically become American citizen upon marriage, or do they have to take a citizenship test? And, can the person visit their home country anytime? Do they retain their original citizenship(s)?
2007-03-05 08:43:06 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
It is not as easy as that. You have to pay a lot of money and fill out many forms and wait a long time just to even attempt to become a citizen when you marry one.
2007-03-05 08:47:43 · answer #1 · answered by Open Minded Human 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could file a petition for a K-1 visa (fiance visa), if your petition is approved then you must file the visa paperwork. Once the K-1 visa is approved you have 6 months to move to the US and 90 days from the date you arrive to get married. Once this is done you need to file a I-485 to adjust your status (you cannot leave the country until after everything is approved without approval to leave and come back). If all this goes well then 2 years after you marry you can file to remove the conditions on the permanent resident status. You would retain your citizenship to the country you are from during all this, but would be a legal immigrant in the US. If after all this has happened you wish to become a US citizen then you can apply and test for naturalization (citizenship).
You can be a legal immigrant without being a naturalized citizen. Citizenship is not important to some, it is very important to others. Some of the benefits to becoming a naturalized citizen are the right to vote, the ability to be a juror, the ability to run for most government offices and not having to worry about them revoking your immigration status.
2007-03-05 14:48:56 · answer #2 · answered by Starshine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The person keeps their original citizenship. They have to spend a certain amount of time married and lioving in the U.S. Then they can apply and they will wait a while before taking the U.S. Citezenship test which has recently changed and been made a lot harder. They can easily visit their home country or any country.
2007-03-05 08:53:55 · answer #3 · answered by speedokie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't automatically get anything.
First, the citizen has to apply for immigrant status for the foreign spouse. That takes 6 months to a year for processing. If approved you get a visa.
After you arrive you have "conditional" immigrant status and must stay married for two years. After two years your conditional status can be removed.
After you've been married to a US citizen for 3 years you can apply for citizenship. You'll have to take an exam and pass an interview. It could take a year to process the request.
2007-03-05 10:49:23 · answer #4 · answered by Yak Rider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Once the I-130 (petition for alien relative) is filed and approved, you will then have to file the I-485 (adjustment of status) to obtain his green card. You will then have to wait a few years and then file the N-400 application (naturalization) and unfortuantely wait for fingerprints/name clearance through FBI. Your husband can travel on his green card but cannot remain out of the US for more than 6 months or he will have his residency stripped due to abandonment. The US does not recognize dual citizenship.
2007-03-05 08:54:27 · answer #5 · answered by swimfins68 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they do no longer lose American citizenship, specially because they were born in united statesa.. yet like someone above reported, in the journey that they wanted to "supply it up," they could. you are able to in no way lose your rights in American like at Social protection determination or a own liberty like that. they can develop right into a chinese citizen and obtain those rights to boot!
2016-12-05 07:01:41 · answer #6 · answered by gnegy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not as easy as that. Many steps must be taken. Nothing is automatic.
2007-03-05 13:30:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋