a GreenCard Holder with a spouse Question

[Tariqabu 0]

I applied for my greencard almost 5 years ago when i was 23 y/o. I'm expecting to recieve my greencard within 2 months. my question is: I got married last year, is it possible to bring my wife along with me to the US? if yes, what will her status be?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Through what means are you getting your Greencard?

[lubnajavid 20]

I don't think it matters which means - family or employment...

as soon as he gets approved for I-551, he will not be able to bring her immediately...

Although - if he was on a work visa such as H1 or L1 then he can add NOW...but not when he gets approved for the I-551.

I had the same exact situation and found I was not able to immediately bring my wife but instead had to sponsor her on a F2-A, which takes years, because the spouse has to wait for a visa number...

My advice - apply NOW to add her to your work visa if you have one...

EDIT: your profile says you will be applying under CR1/IR1 - which if you are not a citizen you will not be able to do...

Edited June 20, 2013 by lubnajavid

[Tariqabu 0]

Through what means are you getting your Greencard?

I'm getting it through my father who became a US citizen after i was born

[apple21 953]

I'm getting it through my father who became a US citizen after i was born

Were you petitioned under the F1 category (Unmarried son/daughter 21 years old and over of a US Citizen)?

[apple21 953]

F1 category for Jordan currently has a 7-year waiting period.

What is your priority date?

If you really are in the F1 category, marriage voids that petition. You will be downgraded to the F3 category (Married Sons/Daughters of US Citizens). F3 has a waiting time of 11 years. Additional 4 years for you. Your wife will be able to immigrate with you as your derivative spouse under F3. Both of you will receive 10-year green cards after entering the US.

Source: http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5993.html

Edited June 21, 2013 by apple21

[Tariqabu 0]

Were you petitioned under the F1 category (Unmarried son/daughter 21 years old and over of a US Citizen)?

Yes!

F1 category for Jordan currently has a 7-year waiting period.

What is your priority date?

If you really are in the F1 category, marriage voids that petition. You will be downgraded to the F3 category (Married Sons/Daughters of US Citizens). F3 has a waiting time of 11 years. Additional 4 years for you. Your wife will be able to immigrate with you as your derivative spouse under F3. Both of you will receive 10-year green cards after entering the US.

Source: http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5993.html

my wait time is almost over! I checked the immigration website and i'm expecting to get my greencard on August.

What happens if I inform them about my marital status after i recieve my greencard?

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

They will void it, because you would have to lie and say you are unmarried to get it.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If you lied to get the quicker green card as soon as you file for your wife and show your marriage document they will take the green card for fraud and send you home. If you are currently marries they are already checking you out locally before giving you a card so don't be suprised if they ask you in for an interview and tell you that you are denied for misrepresentation and ban you forever. Tell them now before you mess up your chances of getting a green card.

[Cathi 5,794]

If you lied to get the quicker green card as soon as you file for your wife and show your marriage document they will take the green card for fraud and send you home. If you are currently marries they are already checking you out locally before giving you a card so don't be suprised if they ask you in for an interview and tell you that you are denied for misrepresentation and ban you forever. Tell them now before you mess up your chances of getting a green card.

Having gone through the Amman embassy for my husband, I know for a fact they thoroughly check your background. At the interview the CO knew things about us both that we never told them(not bad things). They WILL find out you are married. You need to be honest and tell them now before it's too late, you don;t want to get a lifetime ban for misrepresentation.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Did you get married before or after your father became a US citizen?

I ask because you were 18 years old 5 years ago when your father filed for you. Since you has to wait 5 years, it obviously was not an Immediate Relative case; meaning your father not a USC when he filed for you.

Edited June 21, 2013 by aaron2020

[aaron2020 11,651]

What do you mean when you say that you expect your green card in 2 months?

US embassies and consulates cannot issue green cards. They issue immigrant visas. Generally, green cards can only be granted in the US.

Have you filed the DS-230? Have you had your interview?

[apple21 953]

Yes!

my wait time is almost over! I checked the immigration website and i'm expecting to get my greencard on August.

What happens if I inform them about my marital status after i recieve my greencard?

When is your priority date?

What makes you so sure that you will get the green card in August?

Are you already case complete at NVC?

Did NVC already scheduled your embassy interview?

Did you pass the mandatory medical examination already?

Did the consul already approved the issuance of your F1 visa?

Your country is notorious for putting people on Administrative Processing for long periods of time, that's one thing you should be concerned about too.

When a person is petitioned as an UNMARRIED son/daughter, that person should remain unmarried for the entire duration of the visa process, from start to finish, until he enters the United States and receives his green card.

You can refer to my signature. My boyfriend (now husband) was petitioned as an unmarried son 21 years old and over of LPR (F2B category) by his father back in 2001. We had children along the way and our children were able to immigrate with him in 2011 via the F2B visa. After he got his green card, he came back and we got married in 2012. 2 months after marriage, he filed i-130 for me. I'm now under the F2A category (Spouse of LPR).

LYING TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS A BIG NO-NO. You have to inform USCIS or NVC now about the change in your marital status. If they find out you conceal the fact that you're already married, they will put a lifetime ban on you.

Edited June 22, 2013 by apple21

[apple21 953]

When a person is petitioned as an UNMARRIED son/daughter, that person should remain unmarried for the entire duration of the visa process, from start to finish, until he enters the United States and receives his green card.

Just to correct myself....

When a person is petitioned as an UNMARRIED son/daughter, that person should remain unmarried for the entire duration of the visa process, from i-130 filing up to the time he/she receives the green card. He/She should be unmarried when he/she enters the United States.

[Tariqabu 0]

What do you mean when you say that you expect your green card in 2 months?

US embassies and consulates cannot issue green cards. They issue immigrant visas. Generally, green cards can only be granted in the US.

Have you filed the DS-230? Have you had your interview?

The Approval has been issued on my greencard, but the greencard itself hasn't been issued yet. I'm just waiting for my turn (priority date) which is expected to be within 2 months