What to expect?
Discussion
I'm in the process of immigrating to the USA (just about to file for a green card following marriage) and wondered if any of you lot could tell me what to expect (of the immigration process, not marriage).
My attorney has given me their opinion, I thought I'd see if anyone here could offer a personal perspective....questions they ask, checks they make, what happens in the USCIS interview, and how long I can expect it to take (the attorneys have said up to 3 or 4 months!!).
TIA!
My attorney has given me their opinion, I thought I'd see if anyone here could offer a personal perspective....questions they ask, checks they make, what happens in the USCIS interview, and how long I can expect it to take (the attorneys have said up to 3 or 4 months!!).
TIA!
USCIS, Dept of Homeland Security, Immigration Control and Enforcement (like to be known as 'The ICE Men') - they're a right happy bunch. They love to welcome in Johnny Foreigner, always good for a laugh and are not even remotely suspicious of immigration through marriage.
Seriously, it becomes your responsibility to CONVINCE them that your marriage is not bogus. Some of them are civilized, respectful and even helpful. Others are rude, obstructive and confrontational.
Document absolutely everything, keep photographs, shared bills, travel docs, medical records - everything.
Two of my brothers immigrated through marriage - during the USCIS interview one of them couldn't remember their wedding anniversary or his wife's birthday and had no problems. The other was asked what color his wife's toothbrush was, which side of the bed he slept on - all kinds of personal stuff to establish that they actually co-habitated.
Can't stress documentation enough. Keep everything and anything that shows you are on the level and you'll be fine - and don't argue with the officials at POE - they can refuse entry to anybody who is not a USC. They have absolute power of veto.
Seriously, it becomes your responsibility to CONVINCE them that your marriage is not bogus. Some of them are civilized, respectful and even helpful. Others are rude, obstructive and confrontational.
Document absolutely everything, keep photographs, shared bills, travel docs, medical records - everything.
Two of my brothers immigrated through marriage - during the USCIS interview one of them couldn't remember their wedding anniversary or his wife's birthday and had no problems. The other was asked what color his wife's toothbrush was, which side of the bed he slept on - all kinds of personal stuff to establish that they actually co-habitated.
Can't stress documentation enough. Keep everything and anything that shows you are on the level and you'll be fine - and don't argue with the officials at POE - they can refuse entry to anybody who is not a USC. They have absolute power of veto.
Edited by Matt Harper on Thursday 11th September 02:37
Depending on which office you are "processed" through, it can take 2 months or 2 years.
If you have a decent job and don't look like you married for a green card, they won't bother with you. If you look like a crack addict who needs a green card to continue being a bum, be prepared to answer some awkward questions.
If you have an attorney, it should cost about $1,000 for the filing, and the paperwork should be perfect. Check out your attorney's experience and competency as best you can. If you are comfortable with it, good.
If you have a decent job and don't look like you married for a green card, they won't bother with you. If you look like a crack addict who needs a green card to continue being a bum, be prepared to answer some awkward questions.
If you have an attorney, it should cost about $1,000 for the filing, and the paperwork should be perfect. Check out your attorney's experience and competency as best you can. If you are comfortable with it, good.
When I got mine I don't remember having an interveiw.
I did have a lawyer, pretty non eventful.
What I do remember is that I was told I could not leave the country 'til I physically had my card which would arrive in the mail in 30 - 40 days.
Which was a bit inconvenient at the time.
I can remember an interveiw, I had previously in the Far East. The guy at the consulate was a bit of a card.
He asked me "Do you intend to take up American Citizenship at any point in the future?"
Quickly adding "a simple yes or no is prefered"
Obviously dealt with Brits before
I did have a lawyer, pretty non eventful.
What I do remember is that I was told I could not leave the country 'til I physically had my card which would arrive in the mail in 30 - 40 days.
Which was a bit inconvenient at the time.
I can remember an interveiw, I had previously in the Far East. The guy at the consulate was a bit of a card.
He asked me "Do you intend to take up American Citizenship at any point in the future?"
Quickly adding "a simple yes or no is prefered"
Obviously dealt with Brits before
Thanks for the pointers. Proving the authenticity of the relationship will be no problem, given the amount of photos the wife and I have taken (as well as not a single phone bill under $1,500 since we met, scores of flight stubs and so on). Guess now it's just the waiting game.
Do the immigration folk need work history? My attorney has asked for last 5 years employment details - 4 years or so of that was spent working for the same company which got wound up once I left. I'm concerned this may become an issue.
Do the immigration folk need work history? My attorney has asked for last 5 years employment details - 4 years or so of that was spent working for the same company which got wound up once I left. I'm concerned this may become an issue.
You'll probably find it is much like the immigration visa process we had in the Philippines, to get my wife into the UK: several couples I knew had seven shades of hell getting through the embassy 'grilling', numerous visits, extra documentation required, detailed personal questions asked, whereas my wife and I had a stand up interview at the counter and she was granted the settlement visa there and then.
I guess it was just my good looks and underlying charm...
And maybe being married five years already with a young daughter helped.
I like to think the 'professionals' conducting said interviews have some skill at body language, and general skills at reading of peoples faces and documentation, to ascertain whether they are genuine, but it might be just pot luck.
I guess it was just my good looks and underlying charm...
And maybe being married five years already with a young daughter helped.
I like to think the 'professionals' conducting said interviews have some skill at body language, and general skills at reading of peoples faces and documentation, to ascertain whether they are genuine, but it might be just pot luck.
eccles said:
Watch the film 'Green card', plenty of handy hints in there.....
Well I don't have to fabricate the relationship, so there's no point subjecting myself to that big nosed, garlic breathed surrender monkey now is there? And before anyone pipes up to tell me I'm racist, one of my grandmothers is french so I'm allowed to say what I like. 
My sister married a US service man, and never applied for citizenship, instead got herself qualified as a resident alien.
Her (now ex) husband maintains, that her nationality and refusal to become a US citizen was the reason he never made General.
He also maintained she couldn't divorce him and hope to stay in the US with their 2 kids, after she found out about his other life. Luckily her lawyer knew different.
Her (now ex) husband maintains, that her nationality and refusal to become a US citizen was the reason he never made General.
He also maintained she couldn't divorce him and hope to stay in the US with their 2 kids, after she found out about his other life. Luckily her lawyer knew different.
carerra g tea said:
If you need to travel before you get your green card, you can apply for something called Advanced Parole.
Terry,I think advance parole is for pending cases, ie those waiting with a work visa and with a application for residence pending. Mine was approved.
It was no big deal but it did delay a UK beer run
Desmo,
I think you are fine, I would not worry, you have a Bona Fide marraige.
US interveiws are generally box ticking type interveiws, keep the answers simple.
DesmoTip said:
I'm in the process of immigrating to the USA (just about to file for a green card following marriage) and wondered if any of you lot could tell me what to expect (of the immigration process, not marriage).
My attorney has given me their opinion, I thought I'd see if anyone here could offer a personal perspective....questions they ask, checks they make, what happens in the USCIS interview, and how long I can expect it to take (the attorneys have said up to 3 or 4 months!!).
TIA!
Are you in the US now (did you marry in the US and file your paperwork from the US?)My attorney has given me their opinion, I thought I'd see if anyone here could offer a personal perspective....questions they ask, checks they make, what happens in the USCIS interview, and how long I can expect it to take (the attorneys have said up to 3 or 4 months!!).
TIA!
I'm in that situation now, PM me if you wish.. In short, I married my fiancee of 1 year in the US, whilst on a visa waiver. Didn't actually intend to marry on this particular visit, we had a much more complex plan. Anyhow, we got married on day 85 of my 90 day visa waiver. Filed paperwork the very next day.
What was submitted was;
-Application for the green card (legal permanent resident)
-Application for work permit (normally arrives before GC, allowing me to work)
-Affidavit of support (from my wife, that she earns enough to support us during the wait)
-Medical document
-Passport photos, passport photocopies, tax return from my wife, letter declaring her employment..
-Marriage certificate
Not sure if there was anything else. Anyhow, we got notification of receipt of my paperwork, then 3 weeks later I had my biometrics taken - fingerprints, basically.
Now, my attorney says that I should expect a USCIS interview in the next month or so, and all things well, GC at the end of the year. We were married at the end of May this year. I'm in AZ, which I suspect, is a longer process, as they have more of a problem with both legal & illegal immigrants.
The USCIS often send what's called an RFE (request for evidence), this can be anything from photo's to marriage documents to whatever else. I have not yet received an RFE.
My attorney also echo'ed much of what has been said here regarding the interview. The tone of which is very much dependant on the officer who questions you. He said some of the 'biggies' in proving it's not a bogus marriage are;
Photos of your relationship, photos of the wedding/reception (especially in my case, as it shows my british friends and family, who travelled out here for it) a letter from both sets of parents, documents showing we share bank accounts, joint lease of appartments, bills in both our names, the fact my wife has changed her name. Much of the rest will be about how & when we met, and just delving into our pre-marital relationship.
Hope this helps, feel free to PM me, I can also ask my attorney any questions I can't answer. He's not concerned about it, which puts my mind at ease.
GREAT! 
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