Good morning,I will like to know what steps/procedures I, as a permanent resident, need to take before getting married and bringing my wife ...

Question

Good morning,

I will like to know what steps/procedures I, as a permanent resident, need to take before getting married and bringing my wife to the US?

Thank you

Answer

After you get married, you will need to petition for your wife's green card. There are several forms that you will need. Before you proceed, an immigration lawyer should evaluate the entire case to make sure that your wife is eligible for the green card and meets all admissibility requirements. Your lawyer will also evaluate whether or not it would be best for you to become a naturalized U.S. citizen first, in which case your wife would be considered an "immediate relative" and would not be subject to the second preference priority dates (for lawful permanent residents who are petitioning for certain relatives) as set forth in the Department of State Visa Bulletin. In other words, the processing time is faster for an immediate relative.

Since you are not married yet, and depending on your timeline, you might instead want to consider the fiancee visa route. Feel free to call to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.

Regards,

Amy A. Long

Alexandria, VA

(703) 270-9235