Joey007

I think you are over thinking this issue. Lots of immigrants come in to this country as visitors, crewmen or tourists and end up staying. She is now legally married and the marriage covers her. Go ahead with all your filings and worry not. The issues you are completely worried about and discussing with a student lawyer is just exacerbating what to me is a non issue. File for her and STOP discussing with unqualified legal personnel. Stand by her throughout the whole process. From your story I can tell you that she is genuine. Do not miss a good woman by your indecisiveness and double mind.

Here is how you will proceed: 1. After the Immigrant Visa is approved and granted, you may start planning to pay the physical Green Card (GC) fee of $220. It can be paid from time he is approved to before he departs. 2. If you choose to pay after he arrives the U.S. then the arrival of the GC begin to count from the date of payment. 3. Either way, it is usually better to pay departure. Upon arrival and when stamped in by the CBP officer, the green card process automatically activates. 4. While 90-10 days is usually posted to receive your physical card; and with no address change, you will get the green card within 4-6 weeks.

The physical green card can be monitored and you can safely receive it. Be sure that you have paid the Green Card processing fee of $220 before or after arrival. If already done before entering the U.S. then its arrival will be soon. It takes about 4-6 weeks. 1. Firstly monitor its issuance from the USCIS case status online page. Once USCIS says "Card Mailed to Me", it may take 3-5 days for the card to arrive the old address. Sorry USCIS often fail to use the new address on the AR-11 change of address form. It is a constant error on their part. 2. Register with USPS immediately activate "Informed Delivery". Monitor all your mails. Particularly, Monitor the green card (GC) and click for USPS to "Keep on Hold" at the post office on arrival. 3. Now this is very important: Immediately visit the USPS of your zip code and pick your GC parcel personally. 4. USPS may not redirect the green card mail. But they will keep on hold once you are registered with them.