The Big Picture – Immigrating Through a Fiancé The K-1 visa process involves three main components: petitioning the fiancé, applying for the visa, and applying for permanent residence. The petition establishes a qualifying relationship, while the visa application is straightforward unless the beneficiary has a criminal history. After 90 days of marriage, the beneficiary can […]
31
Mar
Mar
𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏? The naturalization process typically takes 8-12 months after filing Form N-400, involves three major appointments: biometrics appointment, citizenship interview, and oath ceremony. Permanent residents filing the N-400 application at least six months before their green card expires receive a no-cost extension, ensuring their green card’s validity. […]
16
Mar
Mar
Looking to become a U.S. citizen? There are benefits aplenty, from rights to retirement savings. Most Americans are citizens by birth, but if you’re looking to naturalize, you generally have four paths: birth in the U.S., derivation, acquisition, or naturalization. The naturalization process is the most traveled, with a million green card holders applying yearly. […]
29
Feb
Feb
If you’re outside the U.S. and realize your green card is expiring or missing, it’s impossible to renew or replace it. However, there are ways to return to the U.S. after temporary travel abroad, as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) doesn’t support renewals from outside the U.S. 𝑴𝒚 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰’𝒎 […]
15
Feb
Feb
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) certifies American citizenship for a child born outside the US, typically under 18 years old, and is similar to a US passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship. 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑫𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝑩𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝 1: 𝐺𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝐸𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 To acquire a child’s citizenship, gather birth evidence, […]
01
Feb
Feb
𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐈-𝟕𝟓𝟏 𝐧𝐨𝐰? To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged green card, file Form I-90, but don’t use it if your card expires within 90 days or to renew a conditional green card. Expect a government fee and a wait of 8-12 months for a new […]
12
Jan
Jan
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬? A conditional resident is a U.S. citizen who obtains a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen. This status is valid for two years and expires after two years. The couple must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions […]
27
Dec
Dec
The K-1 fiancé visa is a popular U.S. visa for foreign national fiancés entering the U.S. for marriage and adjustment to permanent resident status. Common mistakes in the process can delay or cause long-term immigration issues. Before preparing Form I-129F, review these avoidable issues. Summiting a Poorly Prepared Petition Small errors in Form I-129F can […]
17
Dec
Dec
1️⃣Less Expensive Becoming a U.S. citizen is more cost-effective than maintaining permanent resident status, as USCIS filing fees for naturalization are significantly less expensive in the long term. The current USCIS fee for replacing or renewing a green card is $540, while the one-time fee for the naturalization application is $725. While the short-term costs […]
01
Dec
Dec
What is Visa? A visa is an entry document for foreign nationals to enter the U.S. It is typically a stamp placed in a passport by a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Nonimmigrant visas allow temporary entry to work, visit, study, or live, while immigrant visas are granted to individuals who are beneficiaries of an immigrant […]