Time to Green Card

[Siam Sam 6]

I wanted to check on how long it's been taking Thais to get their green card. My wife arrived here in the US on September 29 and was told she could expect her green card in three months, so about year-end. However, I know an English lady here in Hawaii who married her American husband here a year ago, and it took her six months to get her green card.

The situations do have differences. The English lady came in on I guess a fiancee visa and was married here in Hawaii, whereas my wife and I have been married for 22 years. My wife has also talked to other Thais who did get their green cards in about three months. The only reason I'm concerned is she's due back in Thailand for two months next year, in March and April, to collect data for a project she's on. But she can't leave the US until she gets her green card, so a six-month wait would delay her plans.

Anyone here get their green card in three months or so? Do different visas make a difference?

Thanks in advance.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

I assume you paid for the card, right? she has the i551 stamp in her passport that is good for a year until she receives her GC in the mail, she can travel with the stamp in her passport if she hasn't received the GC in the mail

plus you can call uscis to see what's going on

[narakthisud 174]

Did you also apply for EAD and AP? My understanding is that AP will allow you to travel outside of the country and re-enter without issues.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Did you also apply for EAD and AP? My understanding is that AP will allow you to travel outside of the country and re-enter without issues.

OP and his wife has been married for 22 years. She came on a spousal visa which automatically became a 1 year green card upon entry. She does not need EAD or AP since she is already a green card holder.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Yes, different visas does make a difference.

With a spousal immigration visa, your wife automatically becomes a green card holder upon entry. As long as the $165 fee was paid, she is done with immigration. It will take about 3 months on average to get the plastic green card.

A K-1 fiancee visa is a non-immigrant visa. After marrying in the US, she would need to file for an Adjustment of Status for a green card. This takes about 6-12 months.

[Siam Sam 6]

Thanks all. Looks like I jumped the gun a bit, because the green card arrived today. Yay! It took 7-1/2 weeks from her arrival in the US. They misspelled our street name in the address on the envelope though, by one letter. The card itself is all correct, but I should probably let them know anyway.

I thought she could not travel until she had it. Now she tells me she knew she could travel but did not want to take the chance. That's not an issue anymore.