Can anyone explain the process of citizenship/immigration?
Thanks!
Kari
Answer:
I did this about 4 years ago, so a few of the details may have changed. But it was already post-911 so I think I'm on pretty solid ground.
First you get engaged to an American citizen. Then you apply for a fiancee visa. This can take months to get, for us it was about 8 months, and includes proving that the citizen (and/or family/friends) can support you financially. It is better if you have met face-to-face, and applicants from certain countries are viewed more suspiciously than others. If your application gets approved, it is sent to your home country and a criminal background check is done. In some countries, I understand that this part of the process can take months also. If you pass, you are called for an interview in your home country.
At my husband's interview (in the UK), they asked about 5 questions -- where did you meet, what first attracted you, have you met her family, things like that. I have heard that the interview process can be much more extensive in other countries. There are no set rules across-the-board. If your interview is successful, you are granted a visa to travel into the US with the specific purpose of marrying a citizen.
Once you enter the country, you have 90 days to get married. Then you apply to adjust your status from visa holder to resident alien. During the initial 90 days, and up to 90 days after the wedding, you are not legally allowed to work. Then you can be granted an employment document and social security number and then work legally.
Your application for adjustment of status can take a very long time. Ours was almost two years. We then had another interview, where we had to prove that we were really living together as husband & wife. We showed photos of trips we took, copies of shared bank statements & bills, things like that. After that interview, my husband was granted his green card for a 2-year probationary period.
We've just reached the end of that probation and will have to go back again for yet another interview to prove that we are still together.
I believe that you need to make it past that probationary period as a couple or the immigrant could lose their status (although not that they definitely will). But I'm not positive about that, since 4 years later my husband and I are happily married.
It is a long and tedious and expensive process. But in our case, worth every bit of it.
You must tell us all the secrets of your country, and if you divorce...you must leave.
ummm....don't call us, we'll call you.
Best way to get your answer is to visit, if you're already in the U.S., the Immigration & Naturalization Service Center closest to you, or search out their website. Or visit one of the U.S. Embassies/Consulates closest to your location.
It is easier for the couple if they marry outside the US, the citizen comes back and petitions their spouse. They go to the judge, pass the examinations and then the spouse is a legal resident who can decide if they would like to become a citizen. This is a costly process, the citizen has to prove that they can provide for their spouse. This is a simplified version, but I did include the main steps.
The immigration information post by website user , MyTend.com not guarantee correctness