| Applying for a green card through marriage to a U.S. | | | | applications |
| citizen is one of the quickest ways a qualifying | | | | - June 4, 2009: Notice issued by USCIS providing the |
| foreign national may obtain a U.S. green card | | | | place, date, and time for the biometrics appointment |
| (permanent residency). Unlike many other immigration | | | | - June 22, 2009: Biometrics appointment |
| benefits, you can apply for a green card through | | | | - June 24, 2009: Work Authorization approved |
| marriage to a U.S. citizen (aka adjust status to a U.S. | | | | - July 6, 2009: Advance Parole approval approved |
| permanent resident) even if you have overstayed a | | | | - August 5, 2009: Notice for Interview Request |
| visa. | | | | issued providing the place, date, and time for |
| The green card through marriage process entails | | | | interview |
| numerous forms, legal issues, filings, receipts, | | | | - September 9, 2009: Interview for adjustment of |
| government correspondence, and finally an interview. | | | | status (stamp placed in passport) |
| The green card marriage application process can take | | | | - September 9, 2009: Permanent residency approved |
| anywhere from approximately 3.5 months to over a | | | | - Green Card received in the mail within 2-4 weeks |
| year and it often has a lot to do with where the | | | | Example Two |
| couple resides and which local office is adjudicating | | | | - July 22, 2009: All applications sent via Federal |
| the case. In New York City, we have seen a recent | | | | Express for overnight delivery to USCIS |
| trend of processing properly prepared and filed cases | | | | - July 28, 2009: Receipts issued by USCIS for all |
| in a timely manner. In fact, our recent experience has | | | | applications |
| shown cases being scheduled for interviews in as little | | | | - July 30, 2009: Notice issued by USCIS providing the |
| as approximately 3.5 months from the date the | | | | place, date, and time for the biometrics appointment |
| application has been received by USCIS. | | | | - August 26, 2009: Biometrics appointment |
| To give you a better idea of just how quickly some | | | | - September 3, 2009: Work Authorization approved |
| cases have been processed in New York City, we | | | | - September 16, 2009: Advance Parole approval |
| have provided to real case examples that our firm | | | | approved |
| recently handled for clients residing in New York City. | | | | - September 24, 2009: Notice for Interview Request |
| Please keep in mind that both cases were prepared | | | | issued providing the place, date, and time for |
| and filed by an immigration attorney highly | | | | interview |
| experienced with family based immigration law | | | | - October 27, 2009: Interview for adjustment of |
| matters. | | | | status (stamp placed in passport) |
| The applications submitted in these cases were the | | | | - October 27, 2009: Permanent residency approved |
| following: Immigrant Petition, Adjustment of Status, | | | | - Green Card received in the mail within 2-4 weeks |
| Work Authorization, and Advance Parole. Both | | | | Please keep in mind that both of these cases were |
| couples were residing in New York City and the New | | | | fully prepared and filed by an experienced immigration |
| York City USCIS office oversaw the adjudication of | | | | attorney. Regardless of your situation, competent |
| both applications. The biometrics appointments for | | | | legal counsel is important through all parts of the |
| both cases were conducted at 201 Varick Street and | | | | green card through marriage application process and |
| the interviews for both cases were conducted at 26 | | | | therefore it is strongly advised that you work with |
| Federal Plaza. | | | | an attorney experienced in these matters before |
| Example One | | | | moving forward. A green card is a highly sought after |
| - May 26, 2009: All applications sent via Federal | | | | U.S. immigration benefit and something that should be |
| Express for overnight delivery to USCIS | | | | pursued with great care. |
| - June 1, 2009: Receipts issued by USCIS for all | | | | |