What's after obtaining permanent residency?

[Rocio0010 5,579]

Hello everyone,

This week my green card got approved. I filed AOS through my marriage (hubby is a USC).

I know it might be too early, but I am beginning to wonder about the next steps. I know there's ROC and naturalization, but I am confused as to what the difference between them is. When can I apply for citizenship?

Also, is there something I should be doing between now and then? Like keeping evidence, etc etc?

Thanks a lot!

[JFH 12,190]

ROC is removal of conditions. This changes your conditional green card (valid for 2 years) to a permanent one (each card will be valid for 10 years but your status will be permanent). 
 

Citizenship is voluntary. You can, if you wish, remain a resident (aka green card holder) for the rest of your days here, if you wish. GC holders can’t vote and can’t take certain federal jobs. Depending on your current citizenship, you may or may not lose your original citizenship if you become a naturalized US citizen. Not all governments recognize dual citizenship.

 

Assuming you remain “in marital union” with your USC spouse, you are eligible to start the application for citizenship 90 days prior to the third anniversary of the “resident since” date on your GC. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 minute ago, JFH said:

ROC is removal of conditions. This changes your conditional green card (valid for 2 years) to a permanent one (each card will be valid for 10 years but your status will be permanent). 
 

Citizenship is voluntary. You can, if you wish, remain a resident (aka green card holder) for the rest of your days here, if you wish. GC holders can’t vote and can’t take certain federal jobs. Depending on your current citizenship, you may or may not lose your original citizenship if you become a naturalized US citizen. Not all governments recognize dual citizenship.

 

Assuming you remain “in marital union” with your USC spouse, you are eligible to start the application for citizenship 90 days prior to the third anniversary of the “resident since” date on your GC. 

Thank you for being so, so clear! It may sound stupid, but I found conflicting information on the Internet! And you helped me with just a comment. 

So if I wanted to, could I do naturalization and ROC altogether?

[NikLR 13,228]

1 minute ago, ra0010 said:

Thank you for being so, so clear! It may sound stupid, but I found conflicting information on the Internet! And you helped me with just a comment. 

So if I wanted to, could I do naturalization and ROC altogether?

You have to start ROC first.  You can apply for naturalization during ROC when that time frame has reached and youre still in ROC.  Naturalization  is normally available a year after you file for ROC. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 minute ago, NikLR said:

You have to start ROC first.  You can apply for naturalization during ROC when that time frame has reached and youre still in ROC.  Naturalization  is normally available a year after you file for ROC. 

Thanks! 

[Scandi 4,171]

And, it's never too early to start planning for ROC. You will have to send evidence of your marriage that dates from the day you got married up until the day you file (and then bring even more for a potential interview). So start gathering evidence right now, and you will have a nice pile to send when it's time to file 2 years down the road. ROC is ALL about proving a bonafide marriage.

 

I should also add that if you had been married for 2 years or more by the time your AOS was approved, you don't have to file for ROC.

Edited May 3, 2020 by Scandi

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 minute ago, Scandi said:

And, it's never too early to start planning for ROC. You will have to send evidence of your marriage that dates from the day you got married up until the day you file (and then bring even more for a potential interview). So start gathering evidence right now, and you will have a nice pile to send when it's time to file 2 years down the road. ROC is ALL about proving a bonafide marriage.

Thank you for the advice! That's what we are planning on doing!

Does ROC involve an interview as well?

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, ra0010 said:

Thank you for the advice! That's what we are planning on doing!

Does ROC involve an interview as well?

Possibly.

The last memo I saw from circa 2018 was that if you did not have one for AOS, you will have one for ROC (both won't be waived). But I do not have evidence that this has actually been enforced or not.

Edited May 3, 2020 by geowrian

[Scandi 4,171]

Just now, ra0010 said:

Thank you for the advice! That's what we are planning on doing!

Does ROC involve an interview as well?

For some it does. The general "rule" since late 2018 has been that people who weren't interviewed within the US at the AOS stage, would instead get an interview for the ROC. There will always be exceptions, but that's how it has been for most applicants.

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, ra0010 said:

Does ROC involve an interview as well?

Sometimes there isn't a ROC interview. It's a case-by-case basis.

3 hours ago, ra0010 said:

This week my green card got approved. I filed AOS through my marriage (hubby is a USC).

When did you get married? If the I-485 was approved after your two year marriage anniversary then you get a 10 year green card and don't do ROC later.

Edited May 3, 2020 by HRQX

[milimelo 4,505]

OP, if you have a SSA card with restriction, you should remove that restriction once you have your green card. From then on all you need for employment purposes is a valid drivers license and SSA card (employer can't demand which documents to show for proof of being employment authorized). 

[NikLR 13,228]

1 hour ago, milimelo said:

OP, if you have a SSA card with restriction, you should remove that restriction once you have your green card. From then on all you need for employment purposes is a valid drivers license and SSA card (employer can't demand which documents to show for proof of being employment authorized). 

Tbh i just use my green card and call it a day. Lol

[Rocio0010 5,579]

2 hours ago, milimelo said:

OP, if you have a SSA card with restriction, you should remove that restriction once you have your green card. From then on all you need for employment purposes is a valid drivers license and SSA card (employer can't demand which documents to show for proof of being employment authorized). 

Thank you! I already have my EAD and accepted a job offer before removing the conditions on my SSA. Hope that's not counted against me!) I didn't provide them with a copy of SSA, though.

 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

Tbh i just use my green card and call it a day. Lol

I want to go to the SSA as soon as they open. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

11 hours ago, HRQX said:

Sometimes there isn't a ROC interview. It's a case-by-case basis.

When did you get married? If the I-485 was approved after your two year marriage anniversary then you get a 10 year green card and don't do ROC later.

Unfortunately, no. When we applied our marriage was a few months old.