mexican - permanent resident questions

[Oasis 0]

I am new to this board and I don’t even know where to beginn:

I am originally from Germany but live in the USA since 1990. I am a permanent resident allien since 1991.

I had planned on getting my dual citizenship but I was denied from the german consulate.

Now comes the tricky part: My boyfriend is mexican, lives in Mexico ( I am currently in the US) and we plan on getting married. He applied for a Tourist Visa so he can come and visit me…in the meantime I am traveling to Mexico – again – to visit him.

We are planning our future together and we decided that we want to live in the US if possible. Does anyone know if he can apply for a greencard once we are married since I am only a permanent resident? I also considered applying for my US Citizenship again to make things easier or should we maybe wait to get married until I have my Citizenship??

I am confused and I don’t really know where to go and ask… cant go to the INS and ask..hehe… I just know that I love this guy and that I want to be with him … so if anyone is in the same situation then me I appreciate suggestions

Thanks 

[Boiler 45,761]

1. As a LPR you can file for a spouse but you have a 5 year or so wait.

2. As a USC you can file for a spouse with no wait.

3. There are certain requirements to be met to maintain German Citizenship as well, whether you can depends on your circumstances.

Best to post just once, gets confusing otherwise.

[Oasis 0]

1. As a LPR you can file for a spouse but you have a 5 year or so wait.

2. As a USC you can file for a spouse with no wait.

3. There are certain requirements to be met to maintain German Citizenship as well, whether you can depends on your circumstances.

Best to post just once, gets confusing otherwise.

That sounds like a very ver long time.

Maybe its best if I apply for my citizenship.. do you know how long it takes then ?

Thanks for your help

[Boiler 45,761]

That depends on where you live, what their backlog is and how often they have Naturalisation ceremonies.

Months rather than years.

And you can have your Fiancee petition, or spouse petition ready to go as soon as you have your Certificate.

But however long it is, the sooner you start the better.

It is all on the USCIS site, there is a test involved but with a bit of homework it is pretty simple.

[Oasis 0]

That depends on where you live, what their backlog is and how often they have Naturalisation ceremonies.

Months rather than years.

And you can have your Fiancee petition, or spouse petition ready to go as soon as you have your Certificate.

But however long it is, the sooner you start the better.

It is all on the USCIS site, there is a test involved but with a bit of homework it is pretty simple.

So you think we should wait to get married until I have my Citizenship ? I live in MA by the way so I assuming my papers will go thru Vermont.

What do you mean by Financee petition or spouse petition..? Meaning his papers to apply for a greencard or Visa to come to the US ?

Also do you know where I can find info on Visa's coming to the US.

They say its difficult to apply for a visa from Mexico. That you have to have $$$$ in the bank, own a house and so on, just to get a tourist visa. I been searching allover for this but cant find any info.. ? Any ideas ?

Thanks a bunch you been really helpful.

[meauxna 15]

That depends on where you live, what their backlog is and how often they have Naturalisation ceremonies.

Months rather than years.

And you can have your Fiancee petition, or spouse petition ready to go as soon as you have your Certificate.

But however long it is, the sooner you start the better.

It is all on the USCIS site, there is a test involved but with a bit of homework it is pretty simple.

So you think we should wait to get married until I have my Citizenship ? I live in MA by the way so I assuming my papers will go thru Vermont.

What do you mean by Financee petition or spouse petition..? Meaning his papers to apply for a greencard or Visa to come to the US ?

Also do you know where I can find info on Visa's coming to the US.

They say its difficult to apply for a visa from Mexico. That you have to have $$$$ in the bank, own a house and so on, just to get a tourist visa. I been searching allover for this but cant find any info.. ? Any ideas ?

Thanks a bunch you been really helpful.

hi, here's some info for you to consider...

Germans can hold dual citizenship. There has been a lot written on that topic in this site; you have to register something with Germany first (check the Citizenship Forum and don't forget the archives).

USCIS is holding pretty close to their pledge to get Naturalizations thru within 6 months cross the country. You can check the timeline for your District Office to see what they've been doing.

As a USC, you can petition for either your *fiance* or your sposue to come to the US. The fiance petition is faster for getting them into the US, slower to the Green Card itself. Work and travel authorizations take some time.

For *Mexico* the wait for a spouse visa interview is pushing one year right now. There are no similar delays for fiance visa appointments.

A tourist visa is very difficult for a young Mexican man to get. He must apply in his own right and demonstrate significant ties to Mexico---assure them that he will return as promised. A close friend of mine had been trying for three years to get a B visa (he finally did) and he owns a business in Mexico and has children (no real estate tho).

[Oasis 0]

That depends on where you live, what their backlog is and how often they have Naturalisation ceremonies.

Months rather than years.

And you can have your Fiancee petition, or spouse petition ready to go as soon as you have your Certificate.

But however long it is, the sooner you start the better.

It is all on the USCIS site, there is a test involved but with a bit of homework it is pretty simple.

So you think we should wait to get married until I have my Citizenship ? I live in MA by the way so I assuming my papers will go thru Vermont.

What do you mean by Financee petition or spouse petition..? Meaning his papers to apply for a greencard or Visa to come to the US ?

Also do you know where I can find info on Visa's coming to the US.

They say its difficult to apply for a visa from Mexico. That you have to have $$$$ in the bank, own a house and so on, just to get a tourist visa. I been searching allover for this but cant find any info.. ? Any ideas ?

Thanks a bunch you been really helpful.

hi, here's some info for you to consider...

Germans can hold dual citizenship. There has been a lot written on that topic in this site; you have to register something with Germany first (check the Citizenship Forum and don't forget the archives).

USCIS is holding pretty close to their pledge to get Naturalizations thru within 6 months cross the country. You can check the timeline for your District Office to see what they've been doing.

As a USC, you can petition for either your *fiance* or your sposue to come to the US. The fiance petition is faster for getting them into the US, slower to the Green Card itself. Work and travel authorizations take some time.

For *Mexico* the wait for a spouse visa interview is pushing one year right now. There are no similar delays for fiance visa appointments.

A tourist visa is very difficult for a young Mexican man to get. He must apply in his own right and demonstrate significant ties to Mexico---assure them that he will return as promised. A close friend of mine had been trying for three years to get a B visa (he finally did) and he owns a business in Mexico and has children (no real estate tho).

Do you mean apply for the Fiancee petition while I still have my greencard ? I thought you have to be a Citizen to do that ? If thats possible what is the form called ? Could I start with that and in the meantime I do my citizenship and then just update my status...and somehow in between get married ??

I am just trying to figure out what the best way is ?

Thanks for you help

[Boiler 45,761]

That depends on where you live, what their backlog is and how often they have Naturalisation ceremonies.

Months rather than years.

And you can have your Fiancee petition, or spouse petition ready to go as soon as you have your Certificate.

But however long it is, the sooner you start the better.

It is all on the USCIS site, there is a test involved but with a bit of homework it is pretty simple.

So you think we should wait to get married until I have my Citizenship ? I live in MA by the way so I assuming my papers will go thru Vermont.

What do you mean by Financee petition or spouse petition..? Meaning his papers to apply for a greencard or Visa to come to the US ?

Also do you know where I can find info on Visa's coming to the US.

They say its difficult to apply for a visa from Mexico. That you have to have $$$$ in the bank, own a house and so on, just to get a tourist visa. I been searching allover for this but cant find any info.. ? Any ideas ?

Thanks a bunch you been really helpful.

hi, here's some info for you to consider...

Germans can hold dual citizenship. There has been a lot written on that topic in this site; you have to register something with Germany first (check the Citizenship Forum and don't forget the archives).

USCIS is holding pretty close to their pledge to get Naturalizations thru within 6 months cross the country. You can check the timeline for your District Office to see what they've been doing.

As a USC, you can petition for either your *fiance* or your sposue to come to the US. The fiance petition is faster for getting them into the US, slower to the Green Card itself. Work and travel authorizations take some time.

For *Mexico* the wait for a spouse visa interview is pushing one year right now. There are no similar delays for fiance visa appointments.

A tourist visa is very difficult for a young Mexican man to get. He must apply in his own right and demonstrate significant ties to Mexico---assure them that he will return as promised. A close friend of mine had been trying for three years to get a B visa (he finally did) and he owns a business in Mexico and has children (no real estate tho).

Do you mean apply for the Fiancee petition while I still have my greencard ? I thought you have to be a Citizen to do that ? If thats possible what is the form called ? Could I start with that and in the meantime I do my citizenship and then just update my status...and somehow in between get married ??

I am just trying to figure out what the best way is ?

Thanks for you help

You can only apply for a Fiancee Visa if you are a USC.

You can apply for a Spousal Visa as a LPR and upgrade when you obtain your Citizenship, sometimes suggested as a good idea in case there is a reason why you might have issues getting naturalised.

You can get married at any time. Depends what is more important to you.

Probably easier for you to move to Mexico, or both of you to move to Germany.

Depends what you wnat the outcome to be.

[meauxna 15]

Do you mean apply for the Fiancee petition while I still have my greencard ? I thought you have to be a Citizen to do that ? If thats possible what is the form called ? Could I start with that and in the meantime I do my citizenship and then just update my status...and somehow in between get married ??

I am just trying to figure out what the best way is ?

Thanks for you help

No, you understood correctly before; only a USC (US citizen) can petition for a fiance. I'm pointing out that if you add in the delay for getting your citizenship sorted out, a fiance visa MAY be a faster way to get him to the US. Much depends on how fast he needs work and travel permission and how soon you two must get married for your own personal reasons. Personal reasons should *never* over rule immigration, IMO. Marry when and where you want if it is important to you.

It's hard to figure out the best way, but I think everyone can agree that you getting naturalized is going to be 'best' in the long run---get that underway first. You can't petition for him as a spouse right now (while you are LPR) because you're not married yet.

One step at a time.

[jana_victoria123 0]

Do you mean apply for the Fiancee petition while I still have my greencard ? I thought you have to be a Citizen to do that ? If thats possible what is the form called ? Could I start with that and in the meantime I do my citizenship and then just update my status...and somehow in between get married ??

I am just trying to figure out what the best way is ?

Hi.. I could totally relate in your situation... my husband is an LPR and he would be able to gain citizenship after 5 yrs from now since he just recently got his greencard.

The moment he got his greencard, we decided to get married for us to be able to work on our papers ASAP.

Husband filed I-130 and g-325A. In the moment if u plan to get married wyl ur a LPR ur husband(if u plan to marry) would be in the F2A category (wherein there would be 4-5 yrs waiting time to have a visa avaialbe).

The moment my husband becomes elgible to have CITIZENSHIP he would then apply for adjustment so that my category would be "IMMEDIATE"

Boiler is ryt.. in some ways it is good to file the petition earlier and have the petition adjusted just in case Naturalization had conflicts...

And by the way as an LPR u could only file a petition for ur spouse & umarried children. U are not allowed to file a petition for a fiance.

I hope this would help you.

[Oasis 0]

Do you mean apply for the Fiancee petition while I still have my greencard ? I thought you have to be a Citizen to do that ? If thats possible what is the form called ? Could I start with that and in the meantime I do my citizenship and then just update my status...and somehow in between get married ??

I am just trying to figure out what the best way is ?

Thanks for you help

No, you understood correctly before; only a USC (US citizen) can petition for a fiance. I'm pointing out that if you add in the delay for getting your citizenship sorted out, a fiance visa MAY be a faster way to get him to the US. Much depends on how fast he needs work and travel permission and how soon you two must get married for your own personal reasons. Personal reasons should *never* over rule immigration, IMO. Marry when and where you want if it is important to you.

It's hard to figure out the best way, but I think everyone can agree that you getting naturalized is going to be 'best' in the long run---get that underway first. You can't petition for him as a spouse right now (while you are LPR) because you're not married yet.

One step at a time.

So what if we do this:

We get married now, I could petition for him as a spouse while I am on my greencard. In the meantime I go and do my citizenship, once I have it I change is petition to a K3 ? Would that be a fast way ? But if I am understanding this correctly, if you get married first and then apply for a K3 it takes longer... ?

This all sounds confusing but I am in love and we just want to be together wherever it will be on earth

Thanks to all of you, you guys been really helpful