Hi,
When my wife gets her CR-1 visa and finally steps foot in usa, will she be a Legal Permanent Resident?

If so, does that mean she can become a USA citizen in 3 years?
Thanks Mike

It means she can apply for US citizenship 90 days before her 3rd anniversary IN THE US. That's how it went for my husband as well, since he arrived on an Immigrant Visa too.

Here are two threads I started, just for you!

Arriving in America, The POE Drill

What Happens After AOS???, What will you be?

Important links inside for both of you to read up on. The Welcome to America booklet is available in Tagalog too

Hi thanks for your help....
Well you said:


But the site you gave me a link to says this:
You and your spouse must apply together to remove the conditions on your residence. You should apply during the 90 days before your "second" anniversary as a conditional resident


Sooooo I know you can't become a US citizen within 2 years.
So I'm confused. :-)


I'm just trying to figure out how many years will it take for my wife to become a us citizen once she gets here with her CR-1 visa
Thanks,
Mike

Different question different answer

2 years is to remove conditions as a PR

3 years is to apply for citizenship.

Thanks Boiler,

So it's 2 years from when she arrives to remove conditions, correct?

And then its 3 yrs on the Citizenship from when she arrives also?
Or is it 3 yrs after the removing of conditions?

Sorry, I'm a bowl of mush at the moment...my wife received a 221g yesterday....ugh!
Mike

When she gets her Green card, it will have an expiration date on it. Her green card will be valid for 2 years since the date she becomes a permanent resident, and in her case it is the day she enters the country. So, 90 days before this green card expires, you will need to file to remove conditions together.

She will be eligible to file a citizenship application 3 years from the day she enters the country. Conditional residency is no different from unconditional for citizenship eligibility purposes.

Good luck

Sure
The links explain that:
Someone who enters with an Immigrant Visa OR completes their AOS is a Permanent Resident. Some PRs have 'conditions'.

There are two important milestones:
2 years after PR status (entry for your wife) she has to remove conditions.
3 years after PR status (entry for your wife) she MAY become a US citizen.

See my timeline signature--we were a little late with the natz application, but my husband became a US citizen about 3 and a half years after arriving.
If this is a part of your plan, it can be a good reassurance to your Joint Sponsor, as their I-864 will not be needed after your wife is a US citizen.

When you get time, look thru those threads. One explains how the POE will go for her, the other explains about being a PR. You're right--I should have also given you the DCF Guide link which explicitly explains that an Immigrant Visa person becomes a PR *at entry*. Guide at the top of the page--lots of useful info in there for you even if you are not a DCF case.

Good luck--I hope your case completes quickly!

Thank you so much meauxna, Jewel and boiler!
Now I understand perfectly....

And meauxna,
Thats exactly why I asked... the shorter length of time the co-sponsor is obligated the better.

Take care,
Mike

Hi Meuxna and Mike,
The 2 importany milestones you indicated is correct.

In addition to the 2nd milestone:
She can apply for US citizenship 90 days before that 3 year requirement of being a Permanent Resident (PR).

Example: If the date on her 1st (conditional) greencard says : PR since MAY 1, 2007,------she can apply or file the N-400 (Citizenship) application on Feb , 2010 (just count the 90 days backwards-----).

The counting for US citizenship immediately starts on the date the 1st greencard (conditional) is granted-------------
So let's say Lorna's greencard says "PR since May 1, 2007" (the important basis for counting), and you both applied for removal of the "conditional" status sometime in 2009 (between February to March 2009 supposed to be-----------she's eligible to apply for Citizenship on February 2010 (which is 90 days before her 3rd year as a permanent resident).

Always remember this May 1, 2007----the date on the 1st ever greencard. This is where you refer to for counting. Always.

To summarize, Look at the future greencard date of PR (1st or conditional): Since you've been married way before-------just count the 3 years from that.......ignore the date of removal for "conditional".
As long as you're both still married, just count 3 years from the 1st greecard date.
And again----she can apply for US citizeship 90 days before the "3 year requirement"

I know about these through 1 of my buddies who went through the same process.
ANother FYI: When you apply for removal of conditions,-------they take away and destroy Lorna's 1st greencard-------however, when they issue the 2nd greencard (without the conditional), the date written on the 2nd one is THE SAME as the 1st.------is RETAINED.......actually no difference at all.

I've compared my buddy's 1st greencard with the 2nd.........well... I wasn't able to tell the difference.
On the 1st greencard-----it doesn't it even say that its a "conditional" card.
ONLY the cardholder (and US homeland security) knows that its a "conditional" greencard. Other people would not be able to tell the difference.
Well..... if others can tell-----they're good......coz I wasn't able to tell the difference recently.....

Hope this helps, Mike.

Francel

Hi Meuxna and Mike,
The 2 importany milestones you indicated is correct.

In addition to the 2nd milestone:
She can apply for US citizenship 90 days before that 3 year requirement of being a Permanent Resident (PR).

Example: If the date on her 1st (conditional) greencard says : PR since MAY 1, 2007,------she can apply or file the N-400 (Citizenship) application on Feb , 2010 (just count the 90 days backwards-----).

The counting for US citizenship immediately starts on the date the 1st greencard (conditional) is granted-------------
So let's say Lorna's greencard says "PR since May 1, 2007" (the important basis for counting), and you both applied for removal of the "conditional" status sometime in 2009 (between February to March 2009 supposed to be-----------she's eligible to apply for Citizenship on February 2010 (which is 90 days before her 3rd year as a permanent resident).

Always remember this May 1, 2007----the date on the 1st ever greencard. This is where you refer to for counting. Always.

To summarize, Look at the future greencard date of PR (1st or conditional): Since you've been married way before-------just count the 3 years from that.......ignore the date of removal for "conditional".
As long as you're both still married, just count 3 years from the 1st greecard date.
And again----she can apply for US citizeship 90 days before the "3 year requirement"

I know about these through 1 of my buddies who went through the same process.
ANother FYI: When you apply for removal of conditions,-------they take away and destroy Lorna's 1st greencard-------however, when they issue the 2nd greencard (without the conditional), the date written on the 2nd one is THE SAME as the 1st.------is RETAINED.......actually no difference at all.

I've compared my buddy's 1st greencard with the 2nd.........well... I wasn't able to tell the difference.
On the 1st greencard-----it doesn't it even say that its a "conditional" card.
ONLY the cardholder (and US homeland security) knows that its a "conditional" greencard. Other people would not be able to tell the difference.
Well..... if others can-----they're good......coz I wasn't able to tell the difference recently.....

Hope this helps, Mike.

Francel