K1 Fiancee Visa, got the green card but it expires this year, and it's not yet time to apply for citizenship

[petridza 4]

Hello, 
My husband came in Sept of 2021 to US via K1 visa, we got married right away, 10 days after he arrived, but his green card didn't arrive until May of 2022. It is expiring in May of 2024, and I don't think he can apply for citizenship yet. Do we have to extend the green card first, and then couple months after he can apply for citizenship or is there a change we can apply for citizenship instead of renewing the green card? 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

He must first file an I-751 package to remove conditions.  He can then file for citizenship about a year after filing the I-751 (sometime in 2025).

 

 

Edited January 12 by Crazy Cat

[h02ejmajja 57]

No. You must do one then the other

[powerpuff 6,744]

*** Topic moved from K1 forum to Removing Conditions on Residency ***
 

11 minutes ago, petridza said:

is there a change we can apply for citizenship instead of renewing the green card? 

No. You must apply for removal of conditions (ROC) form I-751 first, you can’t bypass this step. 
 

When he’s eligible, he can apply for citizenship even if I-751 is still pending.

 

From what you described it seems like he can apply for citizenship in 2025. Under the 3 year rule, you must be married to a US citizen AND be a lawful permanent resident for 3 years (so you have to count after he had his I-485 approved, not when he came to the US on K1).

Edited January 12 by powerpuff
Typo

[petridza 4]

14 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

*** Topic moved from K1 forum to Removing Conditions on Residency ***
 

No. You must apply for removal of conditions (ROC) form I-751 first, you can’t bypass this step. 
 

When he’s eligible, he can apply for citizenship even if I-751 is still pending.

 

From what you described it seems like he can apply for citizenship in 2025. Under the 3 year rule, you must be married to a US citizen AND be a lawful permanent resident for 3 years (so you have to count after he had his I-485 approved, not when he came to the US on K1).

Thank you! I think I forgot about that step! Glad I checked in so we can be on time of the process

[Crazy Cat 41,985]

1 minute ago, petridza said:

Thank you! I think I forgot about that step! Glad I checked in so we can be on time of the process

Yep.  His 90 day window for filing the I-751 opens soon, I think.

[powerpuff 6,744]

19 minutes ago, petridza said:

Thank you! I think I forgot about that step! Glad I checked in so we can be on time of the process

It’s good to ask questions  wishing you a smooth process.