Bringing parents to United States.

[Washingtonstate12 0]

Hello, 

 

I am a green card holder living in the US with my wife who is a US citizen. I have been here for almost an year. I have a visa under the category IR1. I had a couple of questions which I will list below. 

 

1. I have lived here for almost an year and people have told me that I would become a citizen in 5 years if I applied for naturalization but I have heard if you are married to a US citizen it's 3 years. Which one is it? And when does the clock start exactly? As soon as I step foot on US soil? 

 

2.  My parents live in Portugal. Is it possible to move them here as a permanent resident or would I have to wait until I am a citizen? 

 

3. Regardless of whether I have to wait until I am a citizen or not, my parents are originally from Nepal. My dad has lived in Portugal for 5 years and my mom only recently immigrated over there. I am pretty sure they will be European citizens in less time than I will be an American citizen. They are permanent residents of Portugal. Does that affect the process of me moving them here? Would they need to go back to American embassy in Nepal to do paperwork or would everything be done from Portugal? 

 

I appreciate any help and information I can gather. 

 

Thank you. 

Edited February 14, 2017 by Washingtonstate12

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

4 minutes ago, Washingtonstate12 said:

Hello, 

 

I am a green card holder living in the US with my wife who is a US citizen. I have been here for almost an year. I have a visa under the category IR1. I had a couple of questions which I will list below. 

 

1. I have lived here for almost an year and people have told me that I would become a citizen in 5 years if I applied for naturalization but I have heard if you are married to a US citizen it's 3 years. Which one is it? And when does the clock start exactly? As soon as I step foot on US soil?  3 years with marriage to USC from time you have your GC.

 

2.  My parents live in Portugal. Is it possible to move them here as a permanent resident or would I have to wait until I am a citizen? LPRs can not petition family members. So when you're a USC.

 

3. Regardless of whether I have to wait until I am a citizen or not, my parents are originally from Nepal. My dad has lived in Portugal for 5 years and my mom only recently immigrated over there. I am pretty sure they will be European citizens in less time than I will be an American citizen. They are permanent residents of Portugal. Does that affect the process of me moving them here? Would they need to go back to American embassy in Nepal to do paperwork or would everything be done from Portugal?  Process would be the same regardless. If they are both legal residents in a European country they could be petitioned from there.

 

I appreciate any help and information I can gather. 

 

Thank you. 

 

[KierenHby 899]

1. 3 years if continually married to USC spouse. 

2. Cannot petition parents until you are a USC. 

3. Applicants interview where they reside. Obtaining European citizenship isn't easy; you may be a USC before they're eligible for Portugese citizenship. 

[JFH 12,191]

Just a slight correction or clarification to the first response you received. As a spouse of a USC you can apply for citizenship after 3 years. It's calculated from the date you obtained permanent residency. Since you arrived on an IR-1, this was your date of arrival. You were a permanent resident from the moment your passport was stamped on arrival, even though your physical green card did not arrive until some time later.  You can submit the application up to 90 days before your 3rd anniversary of your PR status. 

 

Edited February 15, 2017 by JFH