canadianRN87

As others have said, you are over 18 so while yes your step-mother CAN petition for you the wait time is still pretty long because of your age (under 21 is different)

Here is the visa bulletin: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5692.html

Assuming you were F1 (first preference) they're processing 2005... so you're looking at 7 years at least.

Yikes - definitely didn't realize that. Looking back on everything I wish we would have done this entire process years ago but it was never my intention to relocate to the USA. Does anyone know if my step mom petitions me with the I-130 if that would have any bearing on my TN status? My TN expires in 2014 and I would just plan to renew for another 3 years - just worried about the fact that it is not a dual intent status and if they saw an application for a petition for me in their system it could compromise my status.

To make matters worse my partner is a US Citizen (same sex relationship) but I know that only male/female couples that marry are eligible for bringing their spouse into the country - so getting married wouldn't do me any good, lol.

Yes, your father can sponsor you on an I-130 petition under the F2b category or wait until he becomes a USC .... and yes, even while you are here working under the TN status. However, you will not be able to AOS into LPR status immediately due to the fact that in order to AOS to a LPR your PD must be current (an immediate visa is available). All family based preference category petition has a waiting time. For F2b its an 8 years waiting time. Visa processing on this is Feb. 22, 2004 at the moment. For F1 family base category (unmarried sons and daughter of a USC ) its a 7 years waiting time at the moment. Processing on this category on the VB is May 01, 2005.

Now, there's another shorter way (at least a year shorter wait than the family based category) of getting a green card in your case as a professional nurse ..... and that's will be to have an employer/sponsor to petition you on an Eb3 visa preference, which is an employment based immigrant category of which entitle you to a green card once visa is issued. The wait time or processing time for this right now is 6 years w/ a VB of May 01, 2006. However, I have to warn you that under your present TN status it might be very tricky and complicated. I usually do not recommend using a lawyer but if you will try this route, then you will need one (a good, very competent w/ probably a good knowledge of the TN status) on this process .... if you ever decide to take this path. Eb3 for RN is fairly normal process but in your case on a TN status makes it a complex one, since a TN is not a dual intent status.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering if my stepmother petitioned for me as a US citizen would this not fall under the first preference category? They were married before I turned 18 which I saw on UCSIS as a determining factor for a step parent to petition for a step child. Also, where does the 6 year timeframe come from? I am probably not looking at the right places but heard first preference usually takes 1-2 years if everything is filed in a timely manner.

Hey everyone,

Some insight would be greatly appreciated!

I am currently 25 years old and in the USA on a TN Visa for an RN position. My father is a legal permanent resident, and is married to my step mother who is a US citizen. They got married when I was 15. I am wondering what my options were for having my family sponsor me for permanent residency status, and if it is possible to do while I am in the USA? My TN's expire in early 2014 - and I plan to renew, but I am not familiar with the wait times or anything on processing. I have done a lot of research online with regards to filing the I-130 and I-485 - but still grossly confused.

I am also a Canadian citizen if that makes a difference.

Like I said, any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!