When can my wife (K-1) apply?

tattoocpa

New Member
I'm an American citizen. I brought my fiancee on a K-1 Visa. Dates: Arrived in the US - June 1, 2003. Married: July 14, 2003. Applied for Green Card: August 2003. "FINALLY" received green card (10 year card), (never received a 2 year card) in February, 2006 after calling Congressman. Memphis is so slow! Reading the instructions for applying for citizenship, it appears she cannot even apply for citizenship until November 2008 (a full 5 1/2 years since she "legally" arrived). If so, this truly seems awfully unfair. Help.
 
Unfortunately that sounds correct - she can apply N-400 2yrs 9months (3yrs-90days) after the date printed on her GC.
 
Reply to Boatbod

Thanks. Everything I read appeared to read that way. And reading other posts about how long Memphis takes to get the from the application receipt to the naturalization interview sounded extremely disappointing and even more so for the swearing in ceremony. If my wife were taller (she's only 4'8"), I'd advise her to go into the military (she's too short for military service by lawy) for the one year citizenship route. It's extremely deceiving for the BCIS (or whatever they call themselves now) to say K-1's only are required to be here three years to apply for citizenship since it's now probably (from all extrapolated estimates I can determine) going to take almost 7 years from "legal" arrival to actual citizenship. The country she comes from (Philippines) is actually a much more efficient government in regards to this particular aspect of beauracratic application of law. Thanks again for responding. Sincerely, Rick
 
I understand completely. It took me 8 years from H1B thru GC to USC, and I guess thats "quick" considering how long some of my former indian and chinese colleagues were waiting for a priority date for their GCs.
 
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