Husband - GC; Spouse -H1-B ; Need to apply for citizenship?

[ekasruti]

hi!
I am GC since 2002 and my wife is on H1-B. I am eligible now to apply for Citizenship. Can someone please advise on how my wife can also get citizenship with me?
Thanks in advance.
Regards
./eka

 

[kagemusha]

Don't you wish such a shortcut was possible ? But unfortunately it isn't. Your wife will have to maintain her H1 status independently (subject to the 6-year rule unless her employer has applied for a GC for her) at least until you get your citizenship. After that she would be eligible for a green card (a conditional one for the first 2 years which will then have to be converted to a permanent one) as the spouse of a US citizen but count on this process taking at least an additional year or so. It is only after she has been on the green card for 3 years (meeting the continuous residency requirements) that your wife will become eligible to apply for citizenship. Good luck !

-KM

 

[Triple Citizen]

She will get a conditional GC only if the marriage is less than 2 years old the day her I-485 is adjudicated.

After that she would be eligible for a green card (a conditional one for the first 2 years which will then have to be converted to a permanent one) as the spouse of a US citizen but count on this process taking at least an additional year or so.