Becoming a US citizen

[khymster 0]

My fiancee was approved for our K1 visa on July 21st. I was wondering though once she comes here and we get married how long does it take for her to become a US citizen? She will not be considered one right away correct? Once we marry will she still be considered an Indonesian citizen until a certain time. Just curious how long the process is to become officially a US citizen? I would like to let her know since she was inquiring about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[Penguin_ie 5,987]

It will take about 3.5 years; first, she needs to apply for Adjustment of Status (AOS), as soon as you are married. This leads to a conditional greencard. Two years after that, she does Removal of Conditions (ROC)- you actually can apply 90 days before the two years are up. And 3 years minus 90 days from the first greencard, she can apply for naturalisation.

[Jacob Johnson 0]

It takes a long time have patience...

[~ameriptian~ 54]

Once she comes here and you two get married within the 90-day window, she has to file for Adjustment of Status. If she is approved for AOS, she'll be granted a 2-year conditional Green Card (Residency Card). Within 90 days before her 2-year Green Card expiration date, she has to file for Removal of Conditions. If she is approved for Removal of Conditions, she'll be granted the 10-year Green Card. 90 days before your third wedding/marriage (the day you legally got married) anniversary, she'll be eligible for citizenship.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_guide

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_requirements

[Ahema 0]

My fiancee was approved for our K1 visa on July 21st. I was wondering though once she comes here and we get married how long does it take for her to become a US citizen? She will not be considered one right away correct? Once we marry will she still be considered an Indonesian citizen until a certain time. Just curious how long the process is to become officially a US citizen? I would like to let her know since she was inquiring about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

we will help with prayers

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Once she comes here and you two get married within the 90-day window, she has to file for Adjustment of Status. If she is approved for AOS, she'll be granted a 2-year conditional Green Card (Residency Card). Within 90 days before her 2-year Green Card expiration date, she has to file for Removal of Conditions. If she is approved for Removal of Conditions, she'll be granted the 10-year Green Card. 90 days before your third wedding/marriage (the day you legally got married) anniversary, she'll be eligible for citizenship.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_guide

http://www.visajourney.com/content/naturalization_requirements

Wrong. Everything is based on date of first becoming an LPR, not marriage date.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

My fiancee was approved for our K1 visa on July 21st. I was wondering though once she comes here and we get married how long does it take for her to become a US citizen?

Earliest she can apply is 3 years after AOS approval (AOS should be filed after marriage in the US, which needs to be done less than 90 days from her arrival) minus 90 days.

She will not be considered one right away correct? Once we marry will she still be considered an Indonesian citizen until a certain time.

She will be considered an Indonesian citizen until she actually takes oath of naturalisation--unless she happens to naturalise to a third country (neither Indonesia nor US) between the time of arrival in US and taking citizenship oath (not exactly a common occurrence).

Just curious how long the process is to become officially a US citizen? I would like to let her know since she was inquiring about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[umdterrapins 0]

Wrong. Everything is based on date of first becoming an LPR, not marriage date.

This.

[khymster 0]

So once we get married we can file the AOS. They will then issue a 2 year conditional green card. While she has that will she have any rights as a US citizen like applying for a passport and stuff? How long does it take after filing AOS to get the 2 year green card? So I guess the first 3 years she will still be considered a Indonesian citizen.

[polar1979 4]

She can live and work here legally.

She cannot apply for US Passport because passport is only for a citizen, it's a symbol of being a citizen of such nation.

She cannot vote, do not vote or claim to be a US Citizen in ANY form of both government or private secter EVER, this is real serious.

She can get welfare but is NOT recommended at all, never apply for Food Stamp, SSI, Disability, Medicaid or any other mean-tested benefits. If she apply for any of those benefits it will likely be a problem when she's applying for Naturalization.

She can get SSN and Driver License.

She can get grant or student loan for collage as these are not considered mean-tested benefits.

She can pay for collage at a residencial rate, will not be considered an international student.

She can collect unemployment.

Any more questions, just ask away.

Edited July 22, 2011 by polar1979

[Penguin_ie 5,987]

She will have the rights of a greencard holder, not a US citizen, because as you say, she is an Indonesian citizen until naturalisation. So no jury duty, no voting, and no US passport in those 3+ years; also if she travels, the rules for Indonesian citizens apply to her- ie she'll need a visa to go to Europe etc.

[polar1979 4]

oh yeah, and she can't be out of the US for more than a year without re-entry permit but not over 2 yeras or she will lose her green card.

[khymster 0]

Thanks for your help. So once we file for AOS and receive the 2 year green card she will be able to travel freely between US and her home country of Indonesia?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Thanks for your help. So once we file for AOS and receive the 2 year green card she will be able to travel freely between US and her home country of Indonesia?

Yes,

she can travel freely, as long as she resides in the US permanently. That means she can take a vacation or two every year, but that's pretty much it.

[bigdog 376]

My fiancee was approved for our K1 visa on July 21st. I was wondering though once she comes here and we get married how long does it take for her to become a US citizen? She will not be considered one right away correct? Once we marry will she still be considered an Indonesian citizen until a certain time. Just curious how long the process is to become officially a US citizen? I would like to let her know since she was inquiring about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks