I'm a Canadian married to an American guy. Currently living with my husband and waiting on my greencard. How long will I have to wait before I get my greencard?
Knowing I will have to wait 3 yrs before naturalization for U.S citizenship - what if I have my greencard by then and than things don't work out in the marriage and we end up splitting before the 3 yrs? How will this affect my green card status?
2007-04-19 09:22:45 · 3 answers · asked by Vanessa 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Waiting time depends on where you live; some CIS offices are more backlogged than others. Basically, there are two milestones, a fingerprinting appointment and an interview. Once you get through the interview, the only thing the CIS needs to do is to actually make the card and mail it to you, which usually takes about two weeks. It's waiting for the interview (and before that, for the fingerprinting appointment) that takes time...
As to three years before naturalization, you are not there yet. When you first get your green card, it is temporary, valid for two years, and conditional on your being married to your husband. You will need to apply to "remove conditions" within three months before your green card expires. Once conditions are removed, you can (but absolutely don't have to) apply for naturalization in three years. Also, once conditions are removed, your marital status is no longer anyone's concern; you are a permanent legal resident in your own right, so it doesn't matter if you are still married.
You can apply to remove conditions before the two-year term expires, but you need a good reason. Legal representation wouldn't hurt, either...
2007-04-19 10:45:32 · answer #1 · answered by NC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Canadian married to an American. A good attorney should be able to get you a work permit to work (not working isn't going to help keep the marriage together-unless he is rich and you don't have to..)I got my interview within 3 months after I hired my attorney, the actual card took two years as it sat on someones desk at INS. Get a Canadian passport and they will stamp your passport right after your interview -no need to wait for a card. Very important-don't leave the country .
2007-04-19 18:33:33 · answer #2 · answered by tricksy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand you have a conditional green card for 2 years, and if you split up then, the condition of your residency fails. After the conditions are removed in 2 years, if you split up you will generally be ok, unless someone shows fraud to begin with.
2007-04-19 16:31:53 · answer #3 · answered by DAR 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋