nelmagriffin

reference: VSAJOURNEY'S site guide

REFERENCE: Chapter 3 - Spouses of U.S. Citizens Residing in the United States | USCIS Chapter 3 - Spouses of U.S. Citizens Residing in the United States Content navigation tabs Guidance Resources (13) Appendices (1) Updates (6) History (0) A. General Eligibility for Spouses Residing in the United States The spouse of a U.S. citizen who resides in the United States may be eligible for naturalization on the basis of his or her marriage.[1] The spouse must have continuously resided in the United States after becoming a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the naturalization application and must have lived in marital union with his or her citizen spouse for at least those 3 years. The spouse must establish that he or she meets the following criteria in order to qualify: Age 18 or older at the time of filing. LPR at the time of filing the naturalization application. Continue to be the spouse of the U.S. citizen up until the time the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance. Living in marital union with the citizen spouse for at least 3 years preceding the time of filing the naturalization application (the citizen spouse must have been a U.S. citizen for those 3 years). Continuous residence in the United States as an LPR for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application and up to the time of naturalization. Physically present in the United States for at least 18 months (548 days) out of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application. Living within the state or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing. Demonstrate an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history and principles and form of government of the United States (civics). Demonstrate good moral character for at least 3 years prior to filing the application until the time of naturalization. Attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and well-disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law. The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States may also naturalize under the general naturalization provisions for applicants who have been LPRs for at least 5 years.[2] In addition, in some instances the spouse of a member of the U.S. armed forces applying pursuant to INA 319(a) or INA 316(a) may be eligible for any naturalization proceeding abroad, to include interviews, filings, oaths, ceremonies, or other proceedings relating to naturalization.[3] B. Living in Marital Union for Spouses Residing in the United States The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States must have been living in marital union with his or her citizen spouse for at least 3 years immediately preceding the time of filing the naturalization application. This provision requires that the spouse live in marital union with the citizen spouse during the entire period of 3 years before filing.[4] However, the statute does not require living in marital union for the period between the date of filing the application and the date of naturalization (date applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance). The corresponding regulation conflicts with the statute in stating that the spouse must have been living in marital union with his or her citizen spouse for at least 3 years at the time of the examination on the application, and not at the time of filing. USCIS follows the language of the statute in requiring living in marital union only up until the time of filing.[5] Accordingly, only the existence of a legally valid marriage is required from the date of filing the application until the time of the applicant’s naturalization.[6] A person who was a spouse subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by their citizen spouse is exempt from the marital union requirement.[7] C. 3 Years of Continuous Residence The spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States must have continuously resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application and up to the time of the Oath of Allegiance. Continuous residence involves the applicant maintaining a permanent dwelling place in the United States for the required period of time. The residence is the applicant’s actual dwelling place regardless of his or her intentions to claim it as his or her residence.[8] D. 18 Months of Physical Presence The spouse must have been physically present in the United States for at least 18 months (548 days) out of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application.[9] Physical presence refers to the number of days the applicant must physically be present in the United States during the statutory period up to the date of filing for naturalization.[10] E. 90-Day Early Filing Provision (INA 334) The spouse of a U.S. citizen filing for naturalization on the basis of his or her marriage may file the naturalization application up to 90 days before the date he or she would first meet the required 3-year period of continuous residence.[11] Although an applicant may file early and may be interviewed during that period, the applicant is not eligible for naturalization until he or she has satisfied the required 3-year period of residence. All other requirements for naturalization must be met at the time of filing. USCIS calculates the early filing period by counting back 90 days from the day before the applicant would have first satisfied the continuous residence requirement for naturalization. For example, if the day the applicant would satisfy the 3-year continuous residence requirement for the first time is on June 10, 2010, USCIS will begin to calculate the 90-day early filing period from June 9, 2010. In cases where an applicant has filed early and the required 3-month period of residence in a state or service district falls within the required 3-year period of continuous residence, jurisdiction is based on the 3-month period immediately preceding the examination on the application (interview).[12] F. Eligibility for Persons Subjected to Battery or Extreme Cruelty 1. General Eligibility for Persons Subjected to Battery or Extreme Cruelty On October 28, 2000, Congress expanded the provision regarding naturalization based on marriage to a U.S. citizen for persons who reside in the United States. The amendments added that any person who obtained LPR status as the spouse, former spouse, or intended spouse[13] of a U.S. citizen who subjected him or her to battery or extreme cruelty may naturalize under this provision.[14] Specifically, the person must have obtained LPR status based on: An approved Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360) as the self-petitioning spouse of an abusive U.S. citizen; An approved Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360) as the self-petitioning spouse of an abusive LPR, if the abusive spouse naturalizes after the petition has been approved;[15] or Special rule cancellation of removal for battered spouses and children in cases where the applicant was the spouse, or intended spouse of a U.S. citizen, who subjected him or her to battery or extreme cruelty.[16] A person is also eligible for naturalization under the spousal naturalization provisions if he or she had the conditions on his or her residence removed based on: An approved battery or extreme cruelty waiver of the joint filing requirement for Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (Form I-751), for a conditional permanent resident, if the marriage was entered into in good faith and the spouse was subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by the petitioning citizen or LPR spouse.[17] 2. Exception to Marital Union and U.S. Citizenship Requirements for Spouses A person subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by his or her U.S. citizen spouse is exempt from the following naturalization requirements:[18] Married to the U.S. citizen spouse at the time of filing the naturalization application; Living in marital union with the citizen spouse for at least 3 years at the time of filing the naturalization application; and Applicant’s spouse has U.S. citizenship from the time of filing until the time the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance.[19] The spouse must meet all other eligibility requirements for naturalization.[20] G. Application and Evidence 1. Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) To apply for naturalization, the applicant must submit an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) in accordance with the form instructions and with the required fee.[21] The applicant should check the appropriate eligibility option on the naturalization application to indicate that he or she is applying on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen. 2. Evidence of Spouse’s United States Citizenship Under this provision, the burden is on the applicant to establish that he or she is married and living in marital union with a U.S. citizen.[22] A spouse of a U.S. citizen must submit with the application evidence to establish the U.S. citizenship of his or her spouse.[23] Evidence of U.S. citizenship may include: Certificate of birth in the United States; Department of State Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240); Certificate of Citizenship; Certificate of Naturalization; and Valid and unexpired United States Passport. If an official civil record cannot be produced, secondary evidence may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. An officer has the right to request an original record if there is doubt as to the authenticity of the record.[24]

I guess I was confused since you mentioned that your mother will have an interview on January 6, 2024, and you mentioned that she needed to schedule her IV appointment before her interview. "Does anyone have a problem setting up schedule for IV appointments in the Philippines? I am getting frustrated as my mother's interview in on January 6, 2025. She already has her physical yesterday at St. Lukes, and we only need to schedule her IV appointment before her interview." I was confused since IV appointment is the same as her interview appointment. But after reading the FAQ attached, I think you only needed the appointment for VAC (visa application center) to have her photo and fingerprints taken, and only that and you do not need to change her embassy or interview appointment. please read below. Please correct me if I am a wrong. Ty! reference: FAQs on the New Visa Appointment System and Process - U.S. Embassy in the Philippines I received an appointment date from the National Visa Center (NVC). Do I need to schedule an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) to have my photo and fingerprints taken? Yes, please schedule an appointment at the VAC for fingerprints and photos at this website . You must choose the “Appointment scheduled by NVC” category. Only schedule a VAC appointment – you do not need to make any changes to your Embassy appointment. If you do not come to the NVC-scheduled visa appointment at the Embassy, you will have to reschedule for two appointments: one at the VAC for the fingerprints and photos, and another appointment for the visa interview at the Embassy through the online appointment system . Please note that demand for appointments is high, and you may have to wait months or longer before appointments become available. You may contact the Customer Service Center for assistance in making this appointment. English and Filipino-speaking customer service agents are also available via our hotline numbers (02) 7792-8988 or (02) 8548-8223. The service center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Manila time), except on Philippine and U.S. holidays. Callers in the United States should check the local time in the Philippines before they call (703) 520-2235.

Greetings! I think I answered my own questions after reading this.Ty! reference: FAQs on the New Visa Appointment System and Process - U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

If NVC scheduled her appointment, then why do you have to have another one? I guess I am missing something. please elaborate. Ty!

I am a little confused.

Greetings! reference: NBI Will Start Issuing a Multi Purpose NBI Clearance : NBI Clearance Online Multi Purpose NBI Clearance is live now! Yes, you’ve heard it right. Starting October 2, 2017, National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine Government Agency in charge of NBI clearance Online are now issuing a Multi Purpose NBI Clearance. That means a multi purpose NBI Clearance can be used for any transactions that is required both local and also in abroad. Just like the old NBI Clearance, the multi purpose NBI Clearance is still valid for one (1) year with a fee of Php115 per copy.

Greetings! 1. Just simply reply asap of why needed, and while doing that. you need to gather all documents pertinent to your case as well as your partner, and if a document is needed to be updated then do that.

Greetings! No name changes and absolutely no new number, it just to let SSA know that your status changes to citizen instead of a green card holder. Nowadays, it is different, as it has a statement in the application form for citizenship to click if you want SSA to know or update your status, back in the days no online citizenship application. Besides, it was faster as long as you can show your citizenship certificate as a proof. P.S. Back in the days when you queue in the SSA office, there were two lines one for the US citizen and the other for the non- US citizen, but when I went there last year for my brother. there was only one line unlike before.

Hello, Please read. reference: Commission on Filipinos Overseas | Responding to the Challenges of Migration and Development

Also, read this as it gives you information especially at the frequently asked questions. if not, you may email them for inquiry. reference: PSA (NSO) Online: Birth Certificate PSA Birth Certificate A Guide to Online and Walk-in Application One document every Filipino needs to have is their birth certificate. This is an official document that details your identity, nationality, and lineage. Your PSA birth certificate is typically required if you’re applying for licenses, IDs, and official documents for school and employment purposes, among others. You can obtain this document from the Philippine Statistics Authority. If you need a copy of your birth certificate, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling through for a comprehensive guide on how to get a birth certificate online or in person. Table of Contents What is a PSA Birth Certificate? Why Do You Need a PSA Birth Certificate? How to Get a PSA Birth Certificate Online How Much is a PSA Birth Certificate Online? PSA Delivery Reminders How to Get a PSA Birth Certificate (Walk-in) PSA Frequently Asked Questions What is a PSA Birth Certificate? A PSA birth certificate is an official document from the Philippine Statistics Authority containing a person’s birth details, including their full name, gender, place of birth, date and time of birth, and parents’ basic information. Upon birth, the doctor or any authorized medical staff files a report with the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of the city or municipality where the birth occurred. The Certificate of Live Birth is then endorsed by the LCRO to the PSA for certification and printing on PSA’s security paper. Why Do You Need a PSA Birth Certificate? A birth certificate is a valuable piece of identification. This official document is used to verify someone’s birth. It is also the basis for evaluating a person’s legal capacity to enter into a transaction and execute a contract. Here are the common instances a birth certificate is required: Passport/travel purposes Identification (driver’s license, national ID, and other government-issued IDs) School requirements Local/foreign employment Claims/benefits Marriage Loans How to Get a PSA Birth Certificate Online Getting a PSA birth certificate online is convenient and easy specially for those who don’t have the time to go out and process their birth certificate application in person. You can order a copy of a PSA birth certificate online at PSAHelpline.ph, an official and authorized partner of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in delivering psa birth certificates through an online platform that helps facilitate the application procedure. PSA Online Application Procedure On the PSAHelpline.ph website homepage, click the “Order Now” button located on the right side of the screen. Alternatively, you can click the “Order Now” button in the header. When the next page appears, click the “Birth” button. Check the box at the bottom to accept the terms and conditions. Then, click “Continue” to proceed to the next step. A page will be displayed showing two options. If you are requesting your own birth certificate, select “My Own Birth Certificate.” If you’re ordering for a family member or someone else, choose “For Someone Else.” After confirming your option, click “Continue.” A page will appear listing the information that will be collected from you. Make sure you have the specified data on hand before proceeding with the process. Click “Continue.” A form will show asking you to provide vital pieces of information, namely your sex, civil status (if female), first name, middle name, last name, birth date, and the type of your government-issued ID. After completing the form, click “Continue.” A page will appear asking for your name and delivery address. After inputting the information, click “Continue.” Review the Certificate of Live Birth form and ensure all details are correct. Choose the number of copies you need. Once done, tick the “I Confirm” box. A few reminders when filling out the form: Make sure your name and birthday match the details on your ID. You are required to present the actual ID upon delivery. You must receive the PSA document yourself. The courier will not release the order to anyone else, even with an authorization letter. You are not allowed to request a copy of your birth certificate if you are below 18 years old. Use an address where you can personally receive the birth certificate when it gets delivered. How Much is a PSA Birth Certificate Online? A PSA birth certificate online request will cost Php365.00 which includes nationwide delivery. Upon completing the online application process, you will be issued a Reference Number, which you can use for payment in the various payment options. The following channels accept online and over-the-counter payments: Visa GCash PayMaya 7-Eleven BPI Bayad Palawan Express BDO Metrobank Dragonpay As mentioned, the processing and delivery fee for one copy of a PSA birth certificate online is Php365.00. You can pay using the following guides below: Credit card: You can pay through Mastercard or Visa for real-time payment posting. Please note that JCB and American Express cards are currently not supported. ATM: Simply visit a BancNet ATM to settle the fee. Just select the Bills Payment option to complete your payment transaction. Please note that the posting of payment may take a day or two depending on the bank. GCash: If you have a GCash account, you can pay through the e-wallet option. 7-Eleven: You can visit a 7-Eleven store with a CLIQQ machine to settle the payment for your order. Bayad: You can pay through any of the selected Bayad outlets or TouchPay machines. PayMaya: For PayMaya e-wallet holders, you can pay through the app without extra charge. To check the status of your request , click the “Check Status” tab in the header and input your 10-digit reference number. PSA Online Delivery Reminders Delivery time: PSA certificates are delivered in Metro Manila the next day after PSA releases the document. For Provincial, the document will be delivered within 3-8 working days. For smooth delivery of your document and for security purposes, please present one valid government-issued ID to the courier upon delivery. You must receive the PSA document personally. If you are not available on the delivery date, please make delivery arrangements with us by calling (02) 8737-1111, Mondays to Saturdays (excluding holidays), from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Find more information at PSAHelpline Delivery Reminders. How to Get a PSA Birth Certificate (Walk-in) Requirements You or your representative can process your PSA birth certificate request in person at the nearest PSA CRS Outlet. However, there are certain steps that you need to follow first like setting an appointment schedule (see Walk-In Application Procedures below). Here are the requirements you need to prepare: One valid ID Whether you’re processing your birth certificate or someone else’s, you must present a valid ID to identify yourself and the owner of the document. Here are the IDs accepted: Philippine Identification Card Philippine Identification System Digital ID (ePHILID) Philippine Passport issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Driver’s License issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Unified Multi-Purpose ID/eCard Social Security System (SSS) Unified Multi-Purpose ID Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) Transaction/Loyalty Card Voter’s ID issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Postal ID issued by Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost) Senior Citizen’s ID Card issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and/or local government units (LGUs) OFW IDs issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID Seaman’s/Seawoman’s Book issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Diplomat/Consular ID issued by the Philippine Embassy National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance Philippine National Police (PNP) ID/Police Clearance Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification/4Ps ID Barangay ID/Certification with picture and signature Person with Disability (PWD) ID issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) or its regional counterpart, Office of the Mayor, Office of the Barangay Captain, DSWD Office and other participating organization with Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Health (DOH) IDs issued by National Government Offices (e.g., AFP, DAR, DENR, DOH, DOJ) including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) IDs issued by the Offices of the Local Chief Executives (Governor, ViceGovemor, Mayor and Vice Mayor) Tax Identification Card (TIN) with a picture and signature issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue School/Student ID for currently-enrolled students, 18 years old and above, issued by reputable schools/colleges/universities recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) or Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) signed by the principal or head of the academic institution Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with, supervised or regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Insurance Commission (IC) For foreign nationals, passport issued by foreign governments AND any of the following: a.Alien Certification of Registration (ACR I-card) b.Immigrant Certificate of Registration c.Special Resident Retiree Visa issued by the Bureau of Immigration through the Philippine Retirement Authority Authorization letter for PSA certificate request from the owner If you’re obtaining a birth certificate for someone else, you need to secure an authorization letter from them. In particular, you will need to present the letter if you are not: the owner’s parent the owner’s spouse the owner’s direct descendant the owner’s legal guardian (if the owner is a minor) Walk-in Application Procedure Get an appointment slot from the PSA Online Appointment System. On this site, you will choose the date, time, and PSA CRS Outlet for your application. Once you have an appointment schedule, you can go to your chosen PSA CRS Outlet on the scheduled time and date to process your request. Present the CRS Appointment Slip (printed or digital copy) to the Information Marshal for validation purposes. Get Application Form (AF) and Queue Ticket Number (QTN). Present/submit the corresponding fees, QTN, accomplished AF, valid IDs, Authorization Letter for PSA birth certificate request /Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and all supporting documents to the transacting window for screening and payment. Check the Official Receipt (OR), and count the change, if any. Proceed to the Releasing Area on the scheduled date and time of release. Present and submit the OR, valid IDs, Authorization Letter/SPA and all supporting documents to the Releasing Officer. Check the correctness and completeness of the received document. Important Reminders 1. Be at the PSA CRS Outlet at least 30 minutes BEFORE your appointment schedule. 2. Bring valid IDs (document owner/s and authorized representative) that match to the names encoded. 3. Basic Fees: Copy Issuance, Authentication and Annotation of Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates – P 155.00 per copy, CENOMAR – P 210.00 per copy 4. Authorized representative is not allowed to delegate to another person his/her authority to request for civil registry documents. 5. An authorized representative is only allowed to request for 2 unrelated individuals. 6. MINORS are not allowed to book an appointment. 7. Securing an appointment is FREE OF CHARGE and CRS appointment slip is NONTRANSFERABLE. 8. For concerns and inquiries, transact with authorized PSA personnel only. PSA Frequently Asked Questions Is the Certificate of Live Birth the same as the PSA Birth Certificate? No. The Certificate of Live Birth is for data entry purposes only and is an unofficial document that proves you were medically alive when your mother gave birth to you. Does the PSA have copies of birth certificates of people born before 1945? If you’re requesting the birth certificate of someone born before 1945, the PSA will only issue you a Negative Results Certification, which means no record of the birth can be found in the PSA archives. You can use the certificate to check with the Local Civil Registrar where your birth certificate was registered. How can I correct typographical errors or wrong information in my birth certificate? Depending on the type of correction you need (administrative or judicial), you can process the correction on your own or through a court proceeding. Certificates with clerical or typographical errors (like wrong gender or wrong date of birth) can be corrected by filing a petition with the LCRO where the birth was reported. The same applies if you intend to correct an error in your first name. Changing of name, nationality, citizenship, parents’ name, middle name (of the child or the mother), and birth year as well as changes with the child’s legitimacy or illegitimacy require judicial proceedings for correction. Do PSA birth certificates expire? Birth certificates issued and certified by PSA have no expiration date. However, entities such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and embassies require the birth certificate copy not to be older than six months from the date of payment. Why did I get a Negative Certification from PSA instead of the requested copy? If you received a Negative Certification, it means that the PSA has no record of your birth in their digital and paper archives. You can use the certificate to check with the Local Civil Registrar where your birth certificate was registered. Get a Birth Certificate Fast and Easy If you or a loved one needs a PSA birth certificate, you can obtain one in no time through the nearest PSA CRS Outlet. But if you prefer to accomplish the task from the comfort of your home, you can do so through PSAHelpline.ph for a hassle-free online application process. There you have it! With the guide above, you can now quickly get a copy of your PSA birth certificate. Then, you can settle your application for a passport, marriage license, or any other type of transaction that requires a copy of your PSA birth certificate! About Us Contact Us help@psahelpline.ph (02) 8737 1111

Greetings! reference: What To Do When You Get a Negative Certification from the PSA I found this for you to read. and yes, from LCR (local) where they were registered, Here are the steps to be taken for the proper endorsement of the document: Request a copy of the document from the LCR where the life event was registered (birth, marriage, or death). If the document is available at the LCR, request for it to be endorsed to the PSA. Also, ask for copies of the following from the LCR: Receipt of Forwarder/Courier in case the endorsement was sent to PSA through a local courier. Personal copy of the document from the LCRO Copy of the Endorsement Letter or Transmittal Letter from the LCRO to the PSA You may also ask the LCR for the timeline of the endorsement and when it would be best for you to file a new request at the PSA. However, if the document is not available at the LCR, you need to file a late registration of the life event (birth, marriage, or death). The LCR will then endorse the late registered document to the PSA. To get a copy of the endorsed document, bring the following documents to the PSA East Avenue office (if you are in Metro Manila) or at designated PSA CRS offices in your area (if you live far from Metro Manila): Receipt of Forwarder/Courier (from the LCR) Personal copy of the document from the LCR Endorsement Letter or Transmittal Letter from the LCRO Negative Certification from the PSA Another reason for Negative Certification is when the request came sooner than the prescribed period for PSA certificates to be made available after endorsement from the LCR. If this is the case, the requester need only to wait until the processing period has ended before making another request.

Greetings! If your parents have birth certificate from local registry then all you have to do, is to ask local registry office to endorse it to PSA, I am not sure of how much it is now, then wait for the birth certificate. It is actually a copy of that local registry office printed on a PSA paper; the good thing is that after it is endorsed then you will not have a problem anymore and because you will need it in the future then you might just ask for more copies. Goodluck@

Greetings! The above (no. 1) is true, but if you have time, it is faster to just go straight to SSA and have it updated. I remembered, that after the ceremony, we went straight to SSA office, showed citizenship certificate then updated the status. The new card came few days later. then headed to USPS, attached citizenship certificate for the passport application. I had all forms ready, as well as the payment and signature, but prior to mailing, I made sure that I have a photo of my citizenship certificate in case it gets lost in the mail I have evidence, then mailed it, took three weeks, if I was not mistaken I had my passport and the citizenship certificate mailed/ given back a week before my passport, And one more thing that I did was attaching the citizenship copy and mailed petition for my mom. So, I accomplished a lot during this day. Again, all forms and evidence were ready, I actually waited for this document before updating and mailing. Congratulations! Stacey P.S. At the location of the oath taking, there was a booth for passport application but there were a lot in line plus I had to copy certificate as it was needed for her immigration application submission on that day.

Greetings! I am sure that you can search and research more about it. Reference: US Bar Exam Foreign Eligibility: Requirements and Limitations Becoming an attorney— particularly for international students — in the United States is difficult but not impossible. Whether you studied law in Ireland, Syria, Bangladesh, or India, the US will always have a place for you. All you need is to be able to locate it. And the US Bar Exam is the ideal way to go about it. To be admitted to the Bar, most states in the United States require candidates to have a JD (Juris Doctor) degree. However, a few US states allow graduates of an LLM with no JD degree to sit for the bar exam, provided they fulfill additional conditions pertaining to their previous degrees and the credits gained during the LLM program. In addition to a bar test, every US jurisdiction requires character, fitness, and other criteria for admission to the respective Bar. And probably, with your current credentials, you might already be eligible for bar admission in some states. But then, especially as an international candidate, it is essential to stay abreast of all the major (and the minor) requirements. Here's all about it. Taking the US Bar Exam as an International Lawyer/Student Keeping all things under consideration, foreign-trained attorneys may experience some difficulty taking the bar exam in the United States; an LLM (Master of Laws) degree does not ensure eligibility to take the bar exam in the United States. New York, California, Texas, Alabama, and Virginia are some of the states that let foreign law graduates sit for the bar exam. In this instance, foreign-educated attorneys must begin the process by having the American Bar Association (ABA) evaluate their law degrees. International attorneys can take the bar exam like local applicants if approved. Preparing for the bar exam, however, can get a bit intimidating. To avoid getting overwhelmed, foreign-educated attorneys can enroll in bar review courses and seminars to prepare for the bar examination, as do many American law students. Although time-consuming and costly, such courses are highly recommended and often worthwhile. The objective of passing the bar exam as a foreign lawyer is definitely within reach! Don’t Leave Your Legal Career Up to Chance! Pass the MBE Your First Time. Start Now Bar Exam Eligibility Requirements for International Candidates Before you can call yourself a licensed attorney in any US state or jurisdiction, you must pass that state's admissions procedure and, most importantly, the bar exam. While each US state and jurisdiction has its own admissions standards and procedures, we've first listed the major bar exam requirements that need to be fulfilled by all applicants: Legal Education Requirements Professional Responsibility Requirements Residency Requirements Character and Fitness Requirements Once the above requirements are met, international law students need to: Complete a JD program at a US law school Non-citizens who want to practice law in the United States have the option of earning a JD from an American law school. This option requires the applicant to have a bachelor's degree from their home country since that is the minimum academic requirement for admission to law school in the United States. There are various US law schools to which you may apply. Still, you must ensure that the American Bar Association accredits the school and the state where you want to practice law and that the state where the school is situated permits overseas students to take its bar exam. Complete an accredited LLM at a US law school Having a Master in Laws degree doesn't guarantee eligibility or qualify candidates to sit for the bar exam or even practice law in every US state. Combined with other additional requirements, some states allow international applicants to sit for the bar exam. Be a practicing English common lawyer In several states in the United States, foreign-trained attorneys who have been admitted to practice law in their native country or the state where they acquired their legal education are eligible to take the bar exam. Some states have additional criteria, including examining the candidate's law degree to see whether it meets ABA-approved standards, attorneys practicing in English common law jurisdictions, and years of legal experience. If these prerequisites are satisfied, foreign-trained lawyers do not need to attend an American law school to qualify for the bar exam and become attorneys in these states. The US states with similar rules are New York, California, and Hawaii (English common law, five or more years of practice). Plan to Pass the MBE®? Learn from the best with UWorld Get Started Notarized Authorization and Release (A&R) form Submission Your application for the bar exam will not be approved without a signed and notarized A&R form. A notarized A&R permits character and fitness analyzers to do a comprehensive background check on you. Depending on your state/jurisdiction, you may either upload the A&R to your online account or submit it with a postmark no later than the bar test application date. Some states require you to submit this application before sitting for the bar examination, while others allow you to submit it later. State Wise Bar Exam Requirements Every jurisdiction in the United States has its own criteria for applying to its bar exam, including the format of its bar exam, application dates, and exam costs. One of the most common requirements for an international student/lawyer apart from having an accredited LLM degree, is having a legal education in English Common law, an additional education at an ABA-approved law school, having practiced law in foreign jurisdictions, and a determination of educational equivalency. Because rules and regulations vary by state, it is essential to understand the requirements for each state and jurisdiction where you will take the test. While about 35 states and jurisdictions admit international graduates based on one of the requirements mentioned earlier or a set of conditions along with an LLM degree, there are states and jurisdictions where international students aren't eligible to sit for the bar exam. These jurisdictions include Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Wyoming, Guam, Northern, Mariana Islands, Palau, and Puerto Rico. Traditionally, California and New York have been the most sought-after states to practice law in by international law graduates, given their relaxed policies regarding the bar exams. However, in 2014, the Texas Board of Legal Examiners changed its qualifying rules, thus joining the list of the top three most easily accessible bars for international lawyers. Texas and New York administer the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE®), while California has its own, state-specific bar exam. Texas Bar New York Bar California Bar The Texas Bar is now one of the most accessible US bars for foreign attorneys who are licensed to practice in their home country or who have a first professional degree in law from a common law system. According to the Texas Board of Law Examiners, an international candidate can sit for the bar exam if they have/are: Completed a course of study at an accredited foreign law school based on the principles of English common law and was substantially equivalent in duration to the legal education provided by an ABA-approved US law school. Authorized to practice law in a foreign jurisdiction or in another state; and have been actively and substantially engaged in the lawful practice of law for at least three of the five years immediately preceding the date of the application. An LLM degree that satisfies the Texas Board of Examiners’ rulebook Are authorized to practice law in a foreign jurisdiction or in another state. Applying for the Bar Exam Admission to the bar is governed by the Board of Bar Examiners of the applicant's home state. The admissions process varies greatly from state to state, but often includes the following steps: Step 1: In almost every jurisdiction, applicants seeking a license to practice law must receive a passing score on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE®). The MPRE is an ethics test that evaluates applicants' knowledge of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Step 2: Application for the bar exam. The applicant needs to create an account on the official NCBE portal, choose their preferred jurisdiction, select a date to appear for the exam, and pay the state-specific application fee. Step 3: Complete the state's character, fitness, and further entrance criteria. Applicants will be required to supply extensive information on their academic, work, and financial history; as well as references, any criminal record, and legal proceedings, and to submit to Live Scan fingerprinting. LLM students must confirm their eligibility to appear for that state's bar examination and submit the required assessment request and specified official documents well in advance of the applicable bar examination date. Ready to pass the MBE® your first time? Master legal rules easier with effective answer explanations and visuals. Start FREE Trial! Frequently Asked Questions Why Should I Take the Bar in the US? Which Jurisdiction Is the Best to Take the Bar Exam In? What to Expect in the Bar Exam? Is There a Recommended Bar Preparation Course for International Takers?