US Immigration from India

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!

Hi all members,

is it true information that we have to be in relationship for at least 2 years prior to file K1 petition ?

Because I am not sure about that information as we have biased information,

please,let s us know the right information.

Thank you

I ve been a silent reader on forums for years and now that I finally have my green card in hand.. I wanted to give back by sharing my full journey. Hopefully this helps someone going through the same process, specially those from backlogged countries like India and China.

Background

Country of chargeability: India

Category: EB1A

Country of chargeability: India

Category: EB1A

Dependent applicant (father was the primary applicant, sports coach top 1% in his field)

Timeline

July 2021: Entered the US for the first time on an O1 dependent visa.

August 2021 March 2022: Began preparing EB1A petition through an attorney. Faced delays due to Police Clearance Certificate

March 3rd 2022: I-140 filed

Received RFE
Attorney responded within 1 month.

February 2023: I-140 approved

February 2024: Moved back to India as my dad received a better job opportunity there.
From this point onward, we continued the process from India and waited there until our case progressed.

From early 2023 to April 2025 there was almost 2 years of no movement in the visa bulletin for India.
Month after month of checking, hoping and being disappointed.

April 2025 Visa Bulletin: Finally moved by 15 days, (Feb 1 -> Feb 15) small progress. Me and our attorney were convinced that after this small progress, the October VB would bring in some good news.

October 2025 Visa Bulletin: No movement again. At this point I felt lost and anxiety was at its peak because I was also aging out. My attorney said I have until June 2026 under the CSPA.

November 2025 Visa Bulletin: Date jumped forward by a month and our priority date finally became current after more than a 2 year wait. I couldn t believe it to be honest relief is an understatement.

2 weeks later, NVC contacted us and scheduled interview at Mumbai Consulate.Before interview, we had to do our medical exam and renew our pcc s as the old ones had expired.

January 5 2026 Interview Day (Mumbai Consulate): Was extremely anxious going in but the experience was surprisingly smooth. Officer was very friendly and relaxed and the questions were pretty straightforward.Then the words you wait years to hear: Your visa has been approved

January 8, 2026: Received passports with immigrant visa stamped.

March 7 2026
Flew Delhi Shanghai LAX.

Travel experience was trouble free. At LAX, CBP officer was actually excited seeing an immigrant visa packet lol. Didn t question us but just confirmed the mailing address for the green card.

April 13 2026: Received physical green card in hand. USCIS case tracker still shows card was mailed to me and tracker is unavailable.. so don t rely on the tracker.

Suggestions

Sign up for USPS informed delivery. It gives your real time updates for your green card.

Be mentally prepared for long periods of no movement. It s a sad reality.

Backlogs are brutal (specially India/China), but things can move suddenly.

Have a good attorney (ignore if self filing) it makes a difference during RFE stages.

Try to find distractions or hobbies during the wait.

Some days will feel overwhelming and that s normal.

Final Thoughts

If you re going through this process right now.. I genuinely hear you and feel you. The uncertainty is the most exhausting part. The part that slowly kills people from the inside. But, don t lose hope. Even when it feels like nothing is moving things can change quickly.

Huge thanks to communities like:

r/greencard

r/eb_1a

r/uscis

r/nationalvisacenter

and everyone who answered my anxiety driven questions along the way.

If you have any questions feel free to ask and I ll try my best to help.

Hi

I want to know how to file a DCF.

My fiance wants to file direct counselor at Mumbai embassy,India

Aa she is with me to spend a vacation in India.we want to get married but how to do Direct counsel filling or file a CR1?

We want this immigration fast so we can live together asap.

which one is the best option for us DCF or CR1?

please let us reply

Thanking you all members here