Green card via spouse questions

[gazza73]

I currently have a L-1 visa and recently married a US citizen.
I intend to file for a green card by marriage and have some questions :

- I live in New York and am wondering if I can file the I-130 and I-485 forms together or whether the I-130 has to be approved first.

- we are planning a trip to Europe in October. Which part of the application process necessitates additional paperwork for overseas travel ?

- Given that I already have an L-1 visa does this remain valid until I receive the green card or is it invalidated just by the application ?

- for NYC any ideas as to how long the process takes from start to finish ?

Thanks

[ari4u]

Okay. Im sure you did not search the forum here for your question as it has been answered so many times before

Originally Posted by gazza73

I currently have a L-1 visa and recently married a US citizen.
I intend to file for a green card by marriage and have some questions :

- I live in New York and am wondering if I can file the I-130 and I-485 forms together or whether the I-130 has to be approved first.
Yes, you can file the I-130 and I-485 together to the chicago lock box.

- we are planning a trip to Europe in October. Which part of the application process necessitates additional paperwork for overseas travel ?
You need to file for Advance parole. : Form I-131

- Given that I already have an L-1 visa does this remain valid until I receive the green card or is it invalidated just by the application ?
It gets invalidated when your I-485 is approved or if you apply for EAD and use it

- for NYC any ideas as to how long the process takes from start to finish ?
you have to check the processing times for your local DO

Thanks

[gazza73]

So the Chicago lock box is fine for NYC residents ?

For the overseas trip if my L-1 visa is still valid would I still need to file a I-131 ? It is unlikely that by October the I-485 would have been approved.

[ari4u]

Originally Posted by gazza73

So the Chicago lock box is fine for NYC residents ?
All family based applications go to the lock box in chicago.

For the overseas trip if my L-1 visa is still valid would I still need to file a I-131 ?
If you have a valid L1 at the time you wish to travel, you can use it instead of AP. If you decide to use your EAD before you travel, then you lose your L1 and would be forced to travel on parole.

It is unlikely that by October the I-485 would have been approved.
EAD and AP are meant to be used only when the AOS application is pending. The moment your I-485 is approved, you get your green card and no longer need your EAD and AP.