married to us citizen for 15 years but never applied for green card

[dannyk69]

Hello every one, just came across these forums. I came to USA legally on a student visa. I overstayed and my status was illegal. In 1997 I met my wife and we fall in love and got married. She is a US citizen. I applied for my work permit in 1998 but was not able to appear for a interview. After that I got in a big argument with my wife and we stopped seeing each other or living together. After a long 15 years we have decided to get back together. We never divorced each other. Legally we are still married. ..... If i apply for change of status (technically I am currently illegal). Would I get a permanent green card? or a conditional green card? how long would the procedure be?

Thanks

 

[Jackolantern]

If approved, you will get a 10-year green card without the conditions.

However, in order to be approved, be prepared to dig up some old evidence. Obviously you'll need the marriage certificate. You'll also need proof that you attended school (the same one for which the visa was issued) for some time, at least one full semester but preferably a year or more, otherwise you may be denied for student visa fraud.

If your wife attended the same school as you and that's where you met her, you should also gather evidence that she attended the same school when you were there.