Italian-american married couple willing to move to the US

[AlessandroMartini 0]

Hi, we are an Italian-American couple that just got married this past August (American wife, italian husband).

We are interested in applying for the greencard for me to move back to the US.

My wife is American but she has been living and working in Italy for over a year (working for an Italian company). She is still a US resident, but I'm not sure if she qualifies to be my sponsor as she lives in Italy.

For what I know, my wife should file an I-130 to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox together with I-864 and eventually I-864A. For what I read on the "How Do I...Financially Sponsor Someone Who Wants to Immigrate?", the sponsor must be living in the US when she files the affidavit of support: does it mean she needs to work in the US?

Can anyone give us some information on the process? In general how long does it take to get the green card? Is it better to wait and apply in a few years or is it better to apply right away?

Thank you for the information!

Alessandro

[AlessandroMartini 0]

Any idea?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Any idea?

Ciao Alessandro!

Here are the instructions for your process, which is a CR/IR - spouse of American citizen: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2991.html

Your wife must be your sponsor even if she has no income here in the US, in which case, she will need a co-sponsor, who must be someone who resides in the US full time and whose income meets the requirements.

If your wife receives her salary here in the US, then if her income qualifies her to be a sole sponsor she should be fine.

The entire process is far less complicated than it seems. Take time and read the information on the link above. It should help you have an idea of the steps.

Although there is no pre-set time for the USCIS to complete a case, a IR/CR normally should take about 12 months to complete, so she should only start the process once she knows for sure she will be returning to the US.

Auguri!