Where to even start?

[Zabka 4]

Hello All,

My first post since I'm completely overwhelmed and not sure what we even need to start applying for.

I am a US citizen but my Husband is Belgian.

I would like him to get a green card to be able to go to the US for a longer period than 3 months on a tourist visa if something were to happen. We are not looking to immigrate at this time but would like to step over a hurdle already in case we do later.

So what is step # 1? Can he maintain a green card without residing in the US? (I heard that he has to go at least once a year to maintain it).

Thanks a lot!

[krautlaus 7]

You should be looking at spousal visa, such as the IR-1/CR-1 which will allow your husband to legally enter the US and immediately after receive his Legal Permanent Resident status/Green Card upon entry - read through some guidelines - they are super helpful.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

It is true that in order to maintain LPR status you have to be present in the US at least once a year (USCIS link)

edited for clarification

Edited October 4, 2011 by krautlaus

[canadian_wife 1,826]

A green card is not what you are looking for if your husband does not intend to reside in the US. Failing to maintain permenant residency will lead to a loss of PR status

Have you tried for a tourist visa? The upside to a B2 tourist visa is that he can visit for up to 6 months. The downside, if rejected, he cannot use the VWP again

Good luck

[pushbrk 13,042]

You should be looking at spousal visa, such as the IR-1/CR-1 which will allow your husband to legally enter the US and immediately after receive his Legal Permanent Resident status/Green Card upon entry - read through some guidelines - they are super helpful.

http://www.visajourn...content/compare

http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1

It is true that in order to maintain LPR status you have to be present in the US at least once a year (USCIS link)

edited for clarification

The USCIS link is good but you have misinterpreted it. It should be read more carefully. The OP will want to Google "maintaining permanent resident status US" for more pertinent information.

In short, until the foreigner is ready to immigrate to the USA and reside here, the CR1 and IR1 visas are not a solution to longer visits.

A K3 visa is perfect for such a situation if you can actually manage to get one. It looks possible to actually manage to intentionally get one now for the first time in a couple years.

Edited October 4, 2011 by pushbrk