Bringing my Spouse overseas for extended period of time

[BOB91 6]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am about to be a US Citizen (interview scheduled). I have recently been informed by my employer that there are some good growth opportunities but they would require me to relocate temporarily to Europe. However my spouse is currently not a green card holder (we'll probably file when I finish my N-400). However, I am not sure how this could be done if I relocate with her and my son to Europe. Do we delay the process until we come back to the US? or is there some kind of process we could follow for her to not lose her green card holder status (if she is approved within the next year)?

 

Regards

[Boiler 45,657]

How long is temporary?

[BOB91 6]

10 minutes ago, Boiler said:

How long is temporary?

about 2 to 3 years

[Boiler 45,657]

17 minutes ago, BOB91 said:

about 2 to 3 years

Getting a GC and a re entry permit will give her 2 years

[BOB91 6]

43 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Getting a GC and a re entry permit will give her 2 years

 

can you get multiple re-entry permits? meaning if by the 2 years I am not ready to come back to the US, can my spouse come back to the US and re-new her entry permit?

[Unlockable 7,315]

1 hour ago, BOB91 said:

 

can you get multiple re-entry permits? meaning if by the 2 years I am not ready to come back to the US, can my spouse come back to the US and re-new her entry permit?

It is possible to request a 2nd reentry permit. But that is it. No more than 2. Also, there is no guarantee the 2nd will be approved.

[millefleur 5,047]

I'm not really sure I follow your plan? So your wife isn't even a GC holder yet but your employer wants you to move to Europe? It doesn't make sense to bring her over on a GC if you're not even living in the US, you won't get approved because they'll see you current do not live in the US and are planning to be in Europe for a few years.

 

Since you said you're not even a US citizen yet, it sounds like you haven't even started the spousal visa process. Thus, your plan makes little sense if you're about to move to Europe. If you move to Europe, just move there with your spouse, live there for some years and when you plan to return to the US, start the spousal visa process. You could also start the process maybe 1 year prior to moving back so that you can move back together.

[Redro 4,611]

3 hours ago, BOB91 said:

Hello Everyone,

 

I am about to be a US Citizen (interview scheduled). I have recently been informed by my employer that there are some good growth opportunities but they would require me to relocate temporarily to Europe. However my spouse is currently not a green card holder (we'll probably file when I finish my N-400). However, I am not sure how this could be done if I relocate with her and my son to Europe. Do we delay the process until we come back to the US? or is there some kind of process we could follow for her to not lose her green card holder status (if she is approved within the next year)?

 

Regards

Depending on where your spouse lives petitioning her for a GC could take between 1.5 to 2 years. 

If you're not planning on living in the US after you acquire your citizenship don't petition her now. Move over to Europe with your wife and child and a year or so before you are ready to return to the US petition her for a spousal visa. 

 

[nastra30 2,288]

Op, my 2 cents. After you naturalize, petition your wife but keep it on hold at NVC stage until the time you and wife both are ready to move to US after you finish your assignment abroad.

[BOB91 6]

Thanks everyone for your advice! It's just a job opportunity i was thinking about. I'm not sure if I'll follow through or not. Maybe i will wait a couple of years for my wife to get her citizenship. I thought about just moving there and starting the process while I'm in Europe. But I'm just exploring the possibilities. 

[Redro 4,611]

4 hours ago, BOB91 said:

Thanks everyone for your advice! It's just a job opportunity i was thinking about. I'm not sure if I'll follow through or not. Maybe i will wait a couple of years for my wife to get her citizenship. I thought about just moving there and starting the process while I'm in Europe. But I'm just exploring the possibilities. 

If you're still considering the job opportunity just file the I-130 now. The process is taking 1.5 to 2 years and you'll be able to update USCIS when you acquire your citizenship. 

You don't have to wait to file for a spouse because you're still a permanent resident. Once you become a citizen you can file an I-130 for your son although I believe you can file for him now even though you're still a PR. 

Edited February 5, 2022 by Kor2USA

[carmel34 3,639]

7 hours ago, BOB91 said:

Maybe i will wait a couple of years for my wife to get her citizenship.

It will take up to 2 years for her to get a green card, so she will have to wait in the US during that time.  What is her current legal status in the US?  Citizenship for her is a long way off, and she would have to remain in the US most of the time after getting a green card to satisfy the physical presence and continuous residence requirements.  Look up CR-1/IR-1 visa processing times, and also N-400 (naturalization) processing times and guides so you know everything and can weigh your options.  Let's assume that you file a petition for a green card for her today, and she gets it in February of 2024.  She would not be eligible to file an N-400 until November of 2026, and it is taking a year or more for naturalization from filing to oath ceremony.  So depending on how long everything takes, she may not get US citizenship until November of 2027 or even later, that's six years from now.  Good luck!

[STO Overland 137]

I spent 6 years on a work visa, during which time I met my USC spouse and got married. Our US based office offered me a green card but I declined knowing that our European office wanted us over there for three or fours years. Well four years turned into 8 years, two babies and two continents and we eventually returned to the US with me on a L1. Then we did AOS for me a couple of years later. 
 

Point being, you’re moving to Europe for 3 years but maybe 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 years. Personally I am glad we waited until we got back. Didn’t make sense to get a “permanent resident” card only to become a resident in another country. Waste of time and resources. Enjoy the European lifestyle and the career opportunity.

[BOB91 6]

1 hour ago, B52Boozer said:

I spent 6 years on a work visa, during which time I met my USC spouse and got married. Our US based office offered me a green card but I declined knowing that our European office wanted us over there for three or fours years. Well four years turned into 8 years, two babies and two continents and we eventually returned to the US with me on a L1. Then we did AOS for me a couple of years later. 
 

Point being, you’re moving to Europe for 3 years but maybe 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 years. Personally I am glad we waited until we got back. Didn’t make sense to get a “permanent resident” card only to become a resident in another country. Waste of time and resources. Enjoy the European lifestyle and the career opportunity.

Thank you for your insight

[SalishSea 17,920]

14 hours ago, BOB91 said:

Maybe i will wait a couple of years for my wife to get her citizenship.

This will take far longer than a couple of years.