Steps after Green Card

[kks 0]

Hi, my wife got her green card today. However, the green card is valid of only two years. I read somewhere that this is conditional green card and needs to be renewed before expiration. How and when do we apply to remove conditions on her greencard? Secondly, I understand that GC derived through a marraige to a USC requires three years before applying for US Citizenship. Is that true? If so, when do the time calculation begin - when she arrives in US or when her GC was produced? Please help me with these questions. Thx.

[KPC 0]

Hi, my wife got her green card today. However, the green card is valid of only two years. I read somewhere that this is conditional green card and needs to be renewed before expiration. How and when do we apply to remove conditions on her greencard? Secondly, I understand that GC derived through a marraige to a USC requires three years before applying for US Citizenship. Is that true? If so, when do the time calculation begin - when she arrives in US or when her GC was produced? Please help me with these questions. Thx.

First off, congrats on receiving the 2 year green card!! To answer your question: 90 days before her conditional green card expires (as in, if the expiration date is today, you can apply on December 9, 2010) you will send in the I-751 (along with proof of bona fide marriage and payment) to USCIS. It seems like some people get called for interviews and some don't, but assuming everything goes well, your wife will receive a ten year green card after that. Then, if you stay married another year, she can apply for her citizenship that next year. Hope this helps!

[fozzie 41]

There is another forum on lifting conditions so I would suggest looking in there for all your questions. Also there are guides to lifting conditions in the guides section of Visa Journey.

90 days before your conditional green card expires file the I751 (i am about to do this myself). Citizenship can be filed for 3 years after getting the green card. If this date comes while the lifting of conditions is still pending you can still apply on that date. Sometimes the process for the I751 can take over a year (fairly rare but it does happen).