How can a Canadian on work visa change to IR1?

[Floridawife 0]

My husband is Canadian and is currently in the US on a company sponsored TN work visa. How can we change his status so he is here as a permanent resident? We've been married almost 10 years, lived overseas together for 6, have a 4 year old and one on the way. Totally combined finances including multiple properties, bank accounts, vehicles, etc so I don't think validity of our relationship would be hard to prove.

 

He hates his job and would like to be able to just work wherever he wants instead of having them hold his Visa. I don't even understand a lot of the abbreviations in some of the posts I've found on here trying to search for an answer.

 

Just don't have any idea where to start. What do we need to do and how log it will take?

 

Thanks!

[arken 4,197]

File i-130 along with AOS package(i-485, i-765,131and medical). Look into the guidelines in this website and also the uscis instructions for each form. Might take around a year to get the GC.

[Floridawife 0]

9 minutes ago, arken said:

File i-130 along with AOS package(i-485, i-765,131and medical). Look into the guidelines in this website and also the uscis instructions for each form. Might take around a year to get the GC.

Is a GC and a IR1 the same thing? Had thought everything would be faster since he's already in the US.

[Unlockable 7,316]

37 minutes ago, Floridawife said:

Is a GC and a IR1 the same thing? Had thought everything would be faster since he's already in the US.

No they are not. 

 

Nothing is going to be faster. I'm sorry if you thought it would but it doesn't work like that. However, he will have the ability to work and travel while he waits for the GC. He will have to file for AOS like @arken mentioned.

 

Here is the link to guides to help you. http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

[NikLR 13,232]

A Visa is for entry into the USA.  He is already in the USA. He needs to adjust his status.  Follow the guide posted.  

[Teemo 252]

17 hours ago, Floridawife said:

Is a GC and a IR1 the same thing? Had thought everything would be faster since he's already in the US.

IR1 is for people applying for green card from outside the US. Adjustment of Status (AoS) is for those applying for green card while in the US. So he files the documents for adjustment of status but he absolutely should not leave the country until he receives his advance parole. Otherwise he is considered to have abandoned his application and will have trouble getting back into the country. It is taking about 3-5 months to get employment authorization card (EAD) and advance parole. Green card takes usually at least a year but once he has the EAD and advance parole he can work for whatever employer and leave the US as he pleases. 

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas forum.