Citizenship/Visa/Green card options

[mwc95 0]

Hello. I'm new to this site. Hoping to find information here. 

 

I'm a UK citizen and permanent resident. My whole life has been my ambition to move to the United States. My mom is a US citizen as well as her mother (my grandmother), but has been a permanent UK resident since she moved here years ago. 

She left the States 3 months before turning sixteen. The rule these days are that the parent(s) has to have stayed in the US for at least 5 years, 2 if which have to be after the age if 14. This basically means I was not entitled for a citizenship from birth by 3 months.

I am now 24, I've realised that I might of been able to claim a citizenship via my grandmother but I believe it had to have been before I turned 18. Its only been now that I've been really determined to see this through. 

My work has said that they would be more than happy to help transfer me but I would have to sort out the visa/right to work, so I wouldn't be able to apply for a Green card via work, nor through family as I believe my mom has to be a permanent resident.

 

I've spent ages researching and looking at my options, the US immigration lawyers here cost a fortune and I reckon they'd just tell me everything I already know. 

 

I love US, me and my family visit every year and I've always felt I belong more there than I do here in UK. The easiest way to transition over would be if my mom moved back than she could take us all but she's too used to the UK now, even though I think she really misses the US.

 

Also my mom does still hold a US Passport. I really hope I'll find some insight here. Thank you for anyone having the patience to read this and I appreciate any feedback!

[aaron2020 11,651]

If she moves back, she can't just take you all.  She would need to file an I-130 petition for you and the current wait is 6-7 years for an adult child.  This would be the quickest path for you.   

Mom can be in the UK during your wait for an immigration visa.  However, she will need to move back to the US before you can immigrate.  Mom will also need to file US tax returns.  You would probably need a Joint Sponsor for the I-864.  

 

Unless mom moves back, you don't have a path to the US through her.