Peoria, IL asked in Immigration Law for Tennessee

Q: Will we have to wait for my citizenship or can we get married now and only start the green card process once I am a citi

I will become a US Citizen by the end of February. In December I was going to marry my girlfriend who is currently on a J-1 Visa, without the 2 year requirement, but we didn't know if it mattered if we get married before or after I am a citizen. We are thinking that we can get married before I become a citizen and only start the process for her green card once I become a citizen, is that correct? We just want to make sure we do it in the right order, if it matters.

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3 Lawyer Answers
Shan Dimitris Potts
Shan Dimitris Potts
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Glendale, CA

A: If you sponsor your spouse after you become a US citizen the time it takes for your spouse to receive the green card is about 6 to 8 months. If you sponsor your spouse when you are not a US citizen the process might take longer than 8 months depending upon which country your spouse is from. So I suggest you talk to an immigration attorney first to find out what is the best option for you and your spouse. Many immigration attorneys including me offer free consultations, make use of the consultations. All the best.

-Shan Potts

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15 years of successful immigration law experience. The answer above is only general in nature cannot be construed as legal advice, given that not enough facts are known. It is your responsibility to retain a lawyer to analyze the facts specific to your particular situation in order to give you specific advice. Specific answers will require cognizance of all pertinent facts about your case. Any answers offered are of a general nature only, and are not meant to create an attorney-client relationship.

Elizabeth Wafula agrees with this answer

Elizabeth Wafula
Elizabeth Wafula
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Memphis, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: As previously stated by another attorney....whether you file for your wife when your status is that of a citizen or resident is completely up to you and your spouse. The process takes about 6 months more or less when you file a citizen and right now according the visa bulletin you are looking at a year plus a couple months for the application to process. Contact me @ 901-614-9090 for any more questions!

Visit www.wafulalaw.com for regular updates!

Elizabeth Wafula
Elizabeth Wafula
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Memphis, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: You are looking at a year plus for the application to process if you choose to file for your spouse while you are a permanent resident.

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