Green card through Grandmother or American Girlfriend

[turtlekitten]

This is my current situation

I visited the USA on a J-1 visa from January 15th to July 3rd 2007. It was my first time to the USA. I hold an Irish and South African passport. I was born in South Africa to Irish parents.

My J-1 visa has a two year home residency requirement on it, to reside in the UK as this is where I was awarded my scholarship to go to the United States (I assume I have to reside in the UK).



5) Green card through family first preference. My maternal grandmother is an American citizen she was born in Boston in 1920, and resided in Boston till the age of 8. She then returned to Ireland and never lived in America again. My Mother was born in Ireland in 1953 and never lived in America.

From my research I understand that since my grandmother did not live in the United States for five years after her 16th birthday she can not pass on citizenship to my Mother. Is this correct?

Which means my mother would have to gain a green card (rather than citizenship) through family first preference channel which will take approx six years, rather than be able to obtain instant citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance to the United States (because she does not meet the residency requirement for gaining instant citizenship from one citizen parent).
- When my mother has her green card could she then sponsor me for my green card?
- This would take about 12 years however? Correct?

6) Marriage. If I was to get a letter of objection (I have visited the USA once on a J-1 Visa with a two year residency requirement):
- What would be the process of getting married to an American citizen as I am now out the USA?
- How difficult would this be and what would the processing time be?

Thanks for you help in advance.

[LucyMO]

I would like to direct you to the J-1 subforum, where you will find a lot of information on how to obtain your waiver and what your chances are.