
answered on Apr 12, 2023
You can file a renewal application as early as 120 days before your current travel document expires, and it's a good idea to submit the renewal as early as possible. The renewal travel document is usually processed within the same timeframe as that for the initial application: 150 days or... View More
She came to the usa in 2019 on a K1 visa, we were married and applied for adjustment of status, we received a deny notice in April 2022 due to previous visa fraud issues on her part which I was unaware of, in September 2022 we received final denial of her AOS, once I explained to my wife what our... View More

answered on Dec 5, 2022
Ideally you should hire an attorney who practices both immigration and family law. This way the attorney will be able to make sure the grounds for the divorce are appropriate (limiting your wife's ability to sponsor herself for a green card) and protect you as to any potential spousal support... View More
Hello, I am a us citizen and I want to marry a girl in india but she is going through a divorce and also have a 4 year old daughter, so I wanted to know how will I be able to get her and her daughter to the states? I know I will have to wait until her divorce is finalized in india but what process... View More

answered on Dec 2, 2022
You can see the process here: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular-processing
However, it is still adviseable to do a consultation with an immigration attorney to make sure you understand the process and that there are no other issues that you may... View More
I’ve been a LPR (10 year green card) since Dec 2020. In 2022 I’ve been out of the country for 164 days as of now (multiple entries from Brazil - my home country). I just got back last week, so technically I’d still have 14 days left for this year, totaling 179 days abroad for the current... View More

answered on Dec 2, 2022
It is impossible to tell if you will be permitted to return in January after a short visit to Brazil because it is up to the officer at the Border whether to let you in AND for how long REGARDLESS of the "180 day clock" (reset or not). Each time you cross the border on an non-immigrant... View More
I travel on a UK passport and have a B1/B2 visa. I understand that the first step is for her to file an alien relative petition as my sponsor, is that correct? How long does this process generally take?

answered on Nov 27, 2022
Filing the Petition for Alien Relative is the first step in applying for a green card. However, if you are applying for Adjustment of Status (i.e. process of getting a green card while being INSIDE the United States), there are additional forms you would file. The next steps are different when you... View More
Please include what petitions will have to be filled to do so.

answered on Nov 23, 2022
For an attorney to advise you WHEN to file for a green card would require more information about your and your spouse's specific situation. Obviously, the first step an attorney would want to do is to make sure that your spouse even qualifies for a green card. For those reasons it would be... View More
I have been hearing that I cannot travel outside Usa within 90 days before applying to naturalization N-400 form. I don’t see anywhere in the requirements that I am unable to travel within 90 days before applying for naturalization. Could you please advise me if I could apply for naturalization... View More

answered on Nov 5, 2022
It is not just 90 days before applying for citizenship that is of importance. There is a "continous presence" and " physical presence" requirement for naturalization elligibility. Learn more about those here: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12
If you are not... View More

answered on Nov 4, 2022
The mere fact of being married to a US citizen does NOT confer legal status to an immigrant. However, if the immigrant qualifies for adjustment of status they could acquire legal status by becoming a permanent resident and eventually a US citizen. Best to do a consultation with an experienced... View More
I accidentally filed for the I-90 on October 20,2021 which was 90days prior to when my 2 year green card expired . Unfortanetly I just found out while checking on any updates That I was suppose to file for the I-751 . I am in disbelief and don’t know what to do because I read that they can deport... View More

answered on Oct 29, 2022
So your green card has been expired for almost a year? Normally, if your failure to file was through no fault of your own, you can file your petition late with a written explanation and request that USCIS excuse the late filing. Failure to file before the expiration date may be
excused if... View More
Went to field office Orlando in April 4, 2022 { for biometric on renewed Green card};
PAID in full in February. Unable to reach Anybody when # called. Can you Please help?

answered on Sep 9, 2022
If you filed in February 2022 then it is likely normal that you are still waiting. You can check processing times at: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
If you filed in February 2021 you are likely outside of processing time (double check at USCIS processing times page) and can submit... View More
Attorney lack of adequate preparation cost us $2K and panic travel. We have our K1. Should we stay with him through adjustment process or find new attorney?

answered on Aug 25, 2022
You should always feel comfortable and confident working with an attorney. If you are having doubts as to their abilities or costs, I would recommend that you have an honest conversation with that attorney to allow him/her to address your questions and concerns. If you are still not feeling good... View More
I am a permanent resident, 68 years old, wife and 3 children are US citizens, Prof. of Economics at Kansai-University (PhD from Michigan).
I was told at DTW that I need to apply the Reentry Permit since I spent more time in Japan than in US. I could come back to Ann Arbor to see my wife... View More

answered on Aug 6, 2022
If you don't intend to spend more than 6 months out of a year in the US after you retire then it may be better to officially relinquish your permanent residency (although you may have already abandonned it) and seek a tourist visa which should be sufficient for your couple of entries per year.... View More
I’m applying for the N400 form after marrying a US citizen (and obtaining green card through marriage). My husband was born in China but was adopted by US citizen parents. He has a US passport but no naturalization documents. Can he use his adoption papers or US passport to show proof that he is... View More

answered on Aug 6, 2022
Passport AND adoption documents may be enough to prove citizenship. If it is not, USCIS will send a Request for Evidence and you can do a Freedom of information act (FOIA) request to USCIS for a copy of his naturalization certificate. Best wishes!
I have my apps together can i someone look over and give comments before i submit? i have one month left before i am illegal

answered on Jun 9, 2022
I would not recommend separating the I-130 from the I-485. I would file both (with the other forms) via mail (i.e. paper application). As to reviewing your application, there are many immigration attorneys that offer document review services. They charge per hour (usually in 15 minute increments)... View More
Have a source of income for my affidavit of support to show . Can i show my husbands salary in the affidavit of support?

answered on May 6, 2022
You need to complete the affidavit of support (I-864) and you can use your husband's income in your affidavit BUT he will also have to complete and sign the Household Member Contract (form I-864A). Best wishes!
I am a visa waiver tourist traveller with a criminal record in the U.S. At the U.S. preclearance I am called to the back office for additional inspection by a U.S.C.I.S. officer before tourist travel and normally given a limited stay in the U.S. of less than 6 months. Will record expungement avoid... View More

answered on May 4, 2022
No it will not. Once Border Patrol knows of your conviction it will remain in the records even if you expunge it from State records. Moreover, even if you expunge the record, you will always have to disclose the record to immigration officials when applying for any immigration benefit. Best wishes!
My conditional GC expires in December this year and I would need to remove the conditions 90 days before it. We have been married since almost 3 years and the marriage certainly was in good faith and we both hoped this will last forever.
However, since past year the marriage has been going... View More

answered on Apr 28, 2022
It would be best if you were divorced by the time you have to apply to remove the condition or soon thereafter. There is language that can be used as part of the divorce to improve the chances of your removal of condition being granted so I would recommend you consult with a family law attorney who... View More
This is assuming they would be studying in the United States either way.

answered on Mar 19, 2023
It is possible for the spouse of a US citizen to apply for an F1 visa (as long as they otherwise qualify) but it would probably be better for the spouse to get permanent residency in the USA (i.e. marriage visa) so the spouse doesn't have to pay international student fees. Best wishes!
Approval Case Decision Rendered
On December 5, 2022, we approved your Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, Receipt Number

answered on Dec 12, 2022
Decision rendered means decision made. Looks like it was approved. Congratulations!
In the immigration process, the counselor asked us to add a joint sponsor. We prepared the papers for the joint sponsor, but the embassy is not accepting them by email, and asked us to upload them. They didn't provide additional information, and we don't know where to upload. Our NVC... View More

answered on Dec 2, 2022
The NVC account is where you would upload co-sponsor affidavit of support and documents. The button is on the main/home page, right under the "Affidavit of Support" section, says "Add Joint Sponsor". Best wishes!
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.