Renew Green Card or Apply for Citizenship?

[AJParry89 2]

Hello everybody!  This site was a huge help to me years ago when bringing my wife over from India on a K1 visa and adjusting status to permanent residence/green card.  Her 10 year green card is going to expire in 2029, and I am trying to decide what to do, as to renewing it or adjusting to citizenship.  We have good reasons for keeping her on a green card, because myself and our kids have OCI cards (basically indian version of a green card) because of her citizenship in India.  that makes travel very easy for us, and doing things over there, etc.     Will they be keen on a green card renewal?  or will they not prefer that, because they rather everybody adjust to citizenship if they are living permanently?    

 

I am not too sure what all is required of the citizenship application/test.  Her english is still not that great, nor reading and comprehending.  I heard they ask history questions as well? which she wouldnt know anything about either, at this time.  So based on this information, what would you all suggest?  Could we get away with 1 more renewal before needing to adjust to citizenship, or does that need to be done this time around? 

 

Thank you all so much for the help!  

[Crazy Cat 46,495]

16 minutes ago, AJParry89 said:

Could we get away with 1 more renewal before needing to adjust to citizenship, or does that need to be done this time around? 

There is no requirement to ever apply for US citizenship.  She can just renew her Green Card every 10 years.  Besides, she would lose her Indian citizenship if becoming a US citizen, wouldn't she?

Edited 16 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[AJParry89 2]

Yes, she would lose it!  That is why we prefer to keep her on a green card, as opposed to citizenship.  I just wasnt sure if they would frown upon continued renewing.  I heard that they preferred you to adjust to citizen.  But thank you for that info! 

 

How early can we apply for a green card renewal, and do we loose time if we do it early?  for instance, if we did it 2 years early, will she end up with an expiration in another 12 years, or 10 years?  

[Crazy Cat 46,495]

3 minutes ago, AJParry89 said:

Yes, she would lose it!  That is why we prefer to keep her on a green card, as opposed to citizenship.  I just wasnt sure if they would frown upon continued renewing.  I heard that they preferred you to adjust to citizen.  But thank you for that info! 

 

How early can we apply for a green card renewal, and do we loose time if we do it early?  for instance, if we did it 2 years early, will she end up with an expiration in another 12 years, or 10 years?  

You cannot apply 2 years early.  I think you have to be within 6 months of expiration.....expiration date will be 10 years.

Edited 15 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[AJParry89 2]

Ok I wasnt sure, because she got the letter to apply for citizenship 5 years early, so I wasnt sure how early they allowed that.  Thank you so much for your help!  

[alliejourney 166]

1 hour ago, AJParry89 said:

Ok I wasnt sure, because she got the letter to apply for citizenship 5 years early, so I wasnt sure how early they allowed that.  Thank you so much for your help!  

The timeline for being allowed to apply for citizenship doesn't line up with timeline for green card renewal, so that's why that happened! You can apply for citizenship after 5 years of being a lawful permanent resident, or 3 years if you are married to a US citizen. So much before the green card actually expires. 🙂

[MMRF 65]

2 hours ago, AJParry89 said:

I am not too sure what all is required of the citizenship application/test.  Her english is still not that great, nor reading and comprehending.  I heard they ask history questions as well?

You can find all the test requirements here: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/study-for-the-test

 

There are thousands of resources online to help with studying.

[AJParry89 2]

Thanks everybody!   If we can keep renewing her Green Card, that is probably the route that we will go!  You all were a big help!  

[JD2 284]

5 hours ago, AJParry89 said:

Could we get away with 1 more renewal before needing to adjust to citizenship, or does that need to be done this time around? 

She can do whatever she wants.  I don't understand what the issue is.  Her OCI has nothing to do with this.  She can get an OCI of her own once she is a US citizen.  It seems to me that it comes down to whether or not she can pass the citizenship test.