I'm a US citizen, my husband is from France. Can his parents get a US Passport if they bought a house here in the US??

[Francksgirl 0]

My Husband and I have been together for 5 years. Married for over 3 years now. His parents just recently bought a house for 200,000.00 in Florida

email that I sent my in-laws!

On August 3rd, 2013 Franck can apply for US Citizenship. It takes 2-3 months to receive.

(Franck is able to apply for his US Citizenship earlier because he married me, a US Citizenship....otherwise if it was for work related purposes he'd have to wait 5 years)

After Franck receives his US Citizenship, he can apply for both of you to obtain a green card.

The cost is approximately $1,500.00 for each person, so $3,000.00 total.

(Takes approximately 4 months for the both of you for this process, every country is different)

Both of you would have to go to the US Embassy in France, do the medical testing, interview process and etc.

After that process, you will receive a green card, and after 5 years you would be able to apply for a US Citizenship and get a US Passport.

Having a green card would give you a better experience going back and forth to the US.

Also, if you wanted to stay here for more than 3 months at a time, it would not be an issue; you could stay and go as often as you would want to.

My mother in law replied back stating she only wants a US Passport, not the greencard! LOL Not sure if that is possible!!!!

However, I heard if someone buys property for 500,000.00 or more, they can get an automatic greencard. Is that true???

[Kazulie 132]

Your letter is partially accurate, partially not.

They can't get a greencard or citizenship just from owning a house in the States.

Also, you said that it would be easier for them to come and go as they please if they have a green card. A green card isn't just a visitors visa with basically no expiration. If you have a green card you must LIVE in the States and must be present inside the States more than you are gone from the States. Otherwise you risk losing your greencard.

Maybe by "passport" she means a visitor's visa. You cannot get a US Passport unless you are a citizen. You can't become a citizen if you don't even want a greencard.

Edited January 24, 2013 by Kazulie

[Villanelle 4,122]

However, I heard if someone buys property for 500,000.00 or more, they can get an automatic greencard. Is that true???

Youre referring to the "Visa USA act" it was legislation that was proposed but never enacted. In it foreigners were suppose to get a visa if they purchase $500,000 or more in American homes, but there were a few catches, they had to reside in them for 180 days through out the year, and they did not get work privileges in the US and the visa had a max term of 3 years. However like I said, it was never passed.

As for the letter you already sent your in-laws. Oh my. You do realize there are residency requirements when you have a GC? I understand they bought a home in the US but do they intend to make it their residence? I suppose they could obtain GCs through their son (your husband) but they wont be able to keep them if they are not residents of the US. A greencard is a permanent resident card- you must be a resident of the US, not a tourist.

You also can not have a US passport if you are a LPR/GC holder.

[Francksgirl 0]

Youre referring to the "Visa USA act" it was legislation that was proposed but never enacted. In it foreigners were suppose to get a visa if they purchase $500,000 or more in American homes, but there were a few catches, they had to reside in them for 180 days through out the year, and they did not get work privileges in the US and the visa had a max term of 3 years. However like I said, it was never passed.

As for the letter you already sent your in-laws. Oh my. You do realize there are residency requirements when you have a GC? I understand they bought a home in the US but do they intend to make it their residence? I suppose they could obtain GCs through their son (your husband) but they wont be able to keep them if they are not residents of the US. A greencard is a permanent resident card- you must be a resident of the US, not a tourist.

You also can not have a US passport if you are a LPR/GC holder.

VERY INTERESTING!! lol

What can they do?? Traveling visa??? I don't know anything about that!!! All I know is everrrrrrrything for a K1 visa!! They do NOT plan to live here....only for visiting here and there. Maybe after they retire, living in the florida home during their winter in France. I just worry if they come to the US alot, they could be denied entry after so many visits. That almost happened to my husband!!!!

[aaron2020 11,651]

My Husband and I have been together for 5 years. Married for over 3 years now. His parents just recently bought a house for 200,000.00 in Florida

email that I sent my in-laws!

On August 3rd, 2013 Franck can apply for US Citizenship. It takes 2-3 months to receive.

(Franck is able to apply for his US Citizenship earlier because he married me, a US Citizenship....otherwise if it was for work related purposes he'd have to wait 5 years)

After Franck receives his US Citizenship, he can apply for both of you to obtain a green card.

The cost is approximately $1,500.00 for each person, so $3,000.00 total.

(Takes approximately 4 months for the both of you for this process, every country is different)

Both of you would have to go to the US Embassy in France, do the medical testing, interview process and etc.

After that process, you will receive a green card, and after 5 years you would be able to apply for a US Citizenship and get a US Passport.

Having a green card would give you a better experience going back and forth to the US.

Also, if you wanted to stay here for more than 3 months at a time, it would not be an issue; you could stay and go as often as you would want to.

My mother in law replied back stating she only wants a US Passport, not the greencard! LOL Not sure if that is possible!!!!

However, I heard if someone buys property for 500,000.00 or more, they can get an automatic greencard. Is that true???

Do your in-laws understand that as green card holders, they are required to file US tax returns on their worldwide income? Even if they earn nothing in the US, their French income will be subject to US taxation.

The $500,000 EB-5 visa requires investing in a pre approved regional center that creates 10 full time US jobs. An investment property will not qualify since it does not create 10 US jobs directly.

--------

US passports are for US citizens. If your mother-in-law wants to be a US citizen and get a US passport, she will have to be an LPR for five years.

Edited January 24, 2013 by aaron2020

[Villanelle 4,122]

If they were to get GCs through their son, and were talking IF, there are residency requirements amoungst other things for keeping your GC. You need to show you live in the US. They would need to obtain drivers licenses in the US. (Im sure they can do that) They would have to have property or a lease. (they do) Insurance (ok) Maintain utilities so they have bills and mail (again, with the home, Im sure they will). Its proof of domicile. You also have to be in the US more then you are out of the US. Theres no official number of days you can be out of the country. Theres re-entry permits if you leave the US for extended periods of time to justify why you were gone. Its complicated. The burden of proof is on you. You need to prove that youre a resident and you havent abandoned your residency in the US. You do so by showing you maintain a home and by having physical presence in the US.

So perhaps in the future if they are prepared to live 6-7 months in FL and 3-4 months in France- then yes. Someone with a GC can do so. They can maintain a home in FL and freely travel for 3-4 months to France w/o a permit or any special permissions and return to their home in the US with out fear of losing their GC. In 5 years of being a GC holder they can apply for citizenship themselves and get a US passport if they wish.

However right now if they want to live in France for 6-7 months through out the year and travel to the US frequently, staying for a week or two at a time every so often, then no. It doesnt work in reverse. You cant be a GC holder in the US that only lives here for 2-3 weeks at a time and spends the rest of the time overseas.

I dont think two 'elderly' people who have a home in france and are traveling frequently to visit their son and his wife in the US are going to be stopped or denied entry. Theyre not the typical people who would be stopped and suspected of trying to enter with the intent to immigrate. A man visiting his 'girlfriend' in the US however may be intending on bypassing immigration laws by marrying her and bypassing the K1 or CR1 process.