Green Card through marriage...unique situation

[amynoel]

Hello all! I am brand new to these boards, so please forgive me if I ask any silly questions here. I've just begun to research family-based immigration to the US and it all seems very daunting

Here is my situation. If anyone has any insight it would be much appreciated!!

I am a US Citizen and my husband is a British Citizen. We were married in June of this year, and are currently living together in Italy, where my husband works. We are exploring our options for returning to the US in the future. We do not have a specific time frame for our return, but we understand that it is a long process to get a Green Card. Due to the economic climate and the uncertain future for the Euro, we could need to return to the USA in 6 months, or it could be 5 years. My question is whether it would be possible to get the proceedings underway to obtain a Green Card while we are both living outside of the USA, with the idea that when the time might come to return to the States, we would already have the necessary steps taken. Is this feasible, or do we need to wait until we have a specific date in mind? I do have a family address in the States for correspondance, etc.

Also, I have a question about the financial sponsorship part of the green card process. My husband supports me completely at this time, as we are living in Europe. I am not working and will not, when the time comes to return to the USA, have several years of W2's to present as a sponsor. Is it possible to have another family member (my mother, for example) act as the sponsor if I am not working? As a side note, we do have a substantial savings, if that could be considered if the savings were in my name?

Again, a huge thank you to anyone who can point me in the right direction!!

 

[BigJoe5]

Hello all! I am brand new to these boards, so please forgive me if I ask any silly questions here. I've just begun to research family-based immigration to the US and it all seems very daunting

Here is my situation. If anyone has any insight it would be much appreciated!!

I am a US Citizen and my husband is a British Citizen. We were married in June of this year, and are currently living together in Italy, where my husband works. We are exploring our options for returning to the US in the future. We do not have a specific time frame for our return, but we understand that it is a long process to get a Green Card. Due to the economic climate and the uncertain future for the Euro, we could need to return to the USA in 6 months, or it could be 5 years. My question is whether it would be possible to get the proceedings underway to obtain a Green Card while we are both living outside of the USA, with the idea that when the time might come to return to the States, we would already have the necessary steps taken. Is this feasible, or do we need to wait until we have a specific date in mind? I do have a family address in the States for correspondance, etc.

Also, I have a question about the financial sponsorship part of the green card process. My husband supports me completely at this time, as we are living in Europe. I am not working and will not, when the time comes to return to the USA, have several years of W2's to present as a sponsor. Is it possible to have another family member (my mother, for example) act as the sponsor if I am not working? As a side note, we do have a substantial savings, if that could be considered if the savings were in my name?

Again, a huge thank you to anyone who can point me in the right direction!!

Start with reading this: http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Laws/Mem...erim_PM_Approved_for_Pubic_Comment_8-8-11.pdf

YOU can submit comments to USCIS on this topic and contribute to its development.

 

[bassman]

Best way is you guys go in USA ambassy there in Italy. They will let you know right there. As matter of fact you can start proces right there.

 

[Jackolantern]

I am a US Citizen and my husband is a British Citizen. We were married in June of this year, and are currently living together in Italy, where my husband works. We are exploring our options for returning to the US in the future. We do not have a specific time frame for our return, but we understand that it is a long process to get a Green Card. Due to the economic climate and the uncertain future for the Euro, we could need to return to the USA in 6 months, or it could be 5 years. My question is whether it would be possible to get the proceedings underway to obtain a Green Card while we are both living outside of the USA, with the idea that when the time might come to return to the States, we would already have the necessary steps taken. Is this feasible, or do we need to wait until we have a specific date in mind?

For a green card based on marriage to a USC the entire process generally takes about 6-12 months. Once approved at the consulate, your husband will have 6 month to enter the US. It doesn't make much sense to initiate the process too far in advance of when he's ready to move to the US.

Is it possible to have another family member (my mother, for example) act as the sponsor if I am not working? As a side note, we do have a substantial savings, if that could be considered if the savings were in my name?

As the petitioner, you will be the primary sponsor, but other US-based relatives or friends can be joint sponsors (provided they're US citizens or permanent residents).

Your savings can be used to offset or eliminate the income requirement. For marriage to a USC, every $3 of acceptable assets reduces the income requirement by $1, so approx. $56K of assets would eliminate the income requirement if your household size is 2.