Immigration Stragegy

**Damita_jo** · 22nd May 2006, 08:39 AM

Does anyone know what the average GC processing time is in NYC?

Because what I've heard, is that if you've been married for 2 years AT THE interview, you get a permanent green card. Right?

Many people file for the I-485 right after their marriage and end up waiting for ALMOST 2 years (Lets say... 1 year and 9 months). So they only get a conditional green card. If they had waited 3 more months they could've gotten a permanent green card. Just something interesting to think about

And is it true that most people wait nearly 2-3 years for a green card in NYC? Or has it gotten a lot faster in 2006? like down to... 6 months to process a green card?

**dula** · 22nd May 2006, 09:46 AM

Talking about permanent & conditional GC: it is general low in imigration process, that if you are married less than 2years on the day of your interview you will get conditional green card. It does not matter where you are from.
It is clearly written on USCIS webiste: http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/remcond.htm
About processing time: I would recommend checking sticky thread AOS interview timline by Ari4you and searching a little on this forum (there's some thread about people from NYC...I saw it)
Take care

**sarrebal** · 22nd May 2006, 10:04 AM

From what I see the NYC timeline dramatically improved, thanks to the opening of the Garden City Sub DO.
Now you could get your card within 6 months.
So if your marriage is in bona-fide (I hope so) I suggest you not to wait for 2 years and then file for removal of conditions after 21 months you got your card.

**running_swede** · 22nd May 2006, 11:38 AM

Conditional or unconditional green card is not everything. You cannot wait if you need EAD, and you can get that within 90 days of filing for adjustment of status. Also, if your current visa is expiring, then you should not wait either. Otherwise, you could wait if you want to. I just do not see the big deal. Just file to get the condition removed when the time comes.

**Damita_jo** · 22nd May 2006, 12:00 PM

You're right, it shouldn't matter if you have a conditional green card or not.
thanks for all your inputs.

and i'm glad the processing time in NYC has improved...

**Denverite** · 22nd May 2006, 01:46 PM

Is there a specific thread that details the pro's and con's between AoS and consular processing? I am currently residing in the US, have a H-1B visa, and my I-130 was applied for in June 2002. I'm still waiting on the results of that I-130, although I expect it sometime in the near future.

**cherr1980** · 22nd May 2006, 01:53 PM

Not sure...but you can make a google search and there are several results.

**yellowtuna123** · 23rd May 2006, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Damita_jo

Does anyone know what the average GC processing time is in NYC?

Because what I've heard, is that if you've been married for 2 years AT THE interview, you get a permanent green card. Right?

Many people file for the I-485 right after their marriage and end up waiting for ALMOST 2 years (Lets say... 1 year and 9 months). So they only get a conditional green card. If they had waited 3 more months they could've gotten a permanent green card. Just something interesting to think about

And is it true that most people wait nearly 2-3 years for a green card in NYC? Or has it gotten a lot faster in 2006? like down to... 6 months to process a green card?

My NYC (Federal Plaza) process took about 7 months from application to getting the actual green card. You can also check out experience for people who went through Garden City (not quite sure how USCIS determines who interview at Federal Plaza and who interview at Garden City):

http://boards.immigration.com/showthread.php?t=198694