After applying how long to get citizenship?

[visaveteran1 33]

My Russian wife has been in the US 3 years plus a few months. She wants to apply for citizenship on the basis that I, her husband, am an American citizen. How long is this process taking and how probable is success? My wife's English is above basic but far from fluent?

As her husband, will I be required to provide documentation or am I out of the picture?

Thanks!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Between 3 months and 6 years. Most likely 4 months, give or take.

[Bill and Vicky 25]

My Russian wife has been in the US 3 years plus a few months. She wants to apply for citizenship on the basis that I, her husband, am an American citizen. How long is this process taking and how probable is success? My wife's English is above basic but far from fluent?

As her husband, will I be required to provide documentation or am I out of the picture?

Thanks!

The rule is under Section 319(a), and says (in part) "Have been a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least three years" and "Have been living in marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse during such time".

When she got her first green card (and if she came in as your spouse, that would likely be the one with the Conditional Relationship and the two-year expiration date), there was a Date of Issue on it. The three-year period starts on that date. It's not the date she arrived in the U.S...it's three years from the date of issue of her green card. I'll assume that the Conditional Relationship restriction has been removed and she now has a 10-year card...the three-year period still starts as of the Date of Issue of her *first* green card.

She certainly has to prove the "marital union" part, which suggests to me that you're going to be a part of that process. Not only will you need to "provide documentation", but you may also be interviewed so that the immigration officer is convinced that your marriage is still healthy.

I can't speak to "how long" it will take. I think the chances of success are good as long as she meets all the requirements. Read the instructions for the N-400 form for the details.

Remind her that she needs to take a written test as a part of the naturalization process. She is likely going to have to understand enough English to pass the test. There is an exemption process that allows her to take it in her native language with an interpreter present, but these are rare.

Care,

Bill

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Look at some of the recent Filer threads (ie August Filers) to see how their timelines are going....you may find someone who is filing htrough the same local office as you and that will give you an excellent idea of how long it's taking approx.

Most times spouses are not part of the interview process - it's your wife who is going for citizenship after all She can always take a look at examples of the written test and the 100 hundred possible questions - if she feels she can answer in english as well as answer questions about ehr application she is probably good to go. They tend to run through the application, question by question, so she can expect to answer everything again. That's how my interview went.

Good luck.

Edited November 19, 2011 by Udella&Wiz

[v333k 59]

My Russian wife has been in the US 3 years plus a few months. She wants to apply for citizenship on the basis that I, her husband, am an American citizen. How long is this process taking and how probable is success? My wife's English is above basic but far from fluent?

As her husband, will I be required to provide documentation or am I out of the picture?

Thanks!

as long as she's been a LPR during that time for at least 2yrs 9mon

[VanessaTony 3,567]

She certainly has to prove the "marital union" part, which suggests to me that you're going to be a part of that process. Not only will you need to "provide documentation", but you may also be interviewed so that the immigration officer is convinced that your marriage is still healthy.

Remind her that she needs to take a written test as a part of the naturalization process. She is likely going to have to understand enough English to pass the test. There is an exemption process that allows her to take it in her native language with an interpreter present, but these are rare.

The spouse isn't interviewed. They're not even allowed in the interview.

The english language waiver is only if they're over 50 and have been an LPR for a certain number of years (15+ years).

Edited November 19, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[VanessaTony 3,567]

My Russian wife has been in the US 3 years plus a few months. She wants to apply for citizenship on the basis that I, her husband, am an American citizen.

1. How long is this process taking and

2. how probable is success?

3. My wife's English is above basic but far from fluent?

As her husband, will I be required to provide documentation or am I out of the picture?

She can only apply after she's been married to you for 3 years, and if she's been an LPR (see the "resident since" date on her GC) for 2 year and 9 months.

1. 3-6 months. Closer to 3

2. Success depends on how well she knows the answers to the civics questions and how good her English is. A translator will NOT be available, she doesn't meet the requirement to have the English portion taken in her native language. She will need to answer any question posed to her by the IO. If you think she can do that then file.

It costs around $600 at the moment so I wouldn't apply unless you're sure she'll pass, or at least stands a good change.