Wife follow-to-join

[zxmn51]

My wife received GC almost 2 years later than mine. I am eligible to apply for USC now, and my wife is eligible in 2010.

1. Is there any advantage in both applying at the same time.
2. Do you foresee any changes in USC process.
3. If I take USC and we move to a different country and if my wife loses or continuos residence, is it difficult to get USC for her later?

Thanks in advance,
Anand

 

[barry4me]

1) Do you mean that you will wait another two years to get naturalized? That's the only way the both of you can get naturalized together. If she applies too early, her application will be denied and you will waste your money. There's no advantage in applying together though..

2) USCIS is constantly trying to improve the immigration processes. I'm sure there will be new updates in the future...

3) If she leaves the country without a re-entry permit, she will lose her residency, then she will have to start all over. Which means that she would need to have a visa to enter the country and you would need to petition for her all over again....However, becasue you will already be a U.S citizen by then, the process will be faster, since she would not have to wait for an A# to become available. Also, even if she maintains her residency, she may break her continuous residency and will have to push back her application for Naturalization.....

 

[vdostoi1]

3) If she leaves the country without a re-entry permit, she will lose her residency, then she will have to start all over. Which means that she would need to have a visa to enter the country and you would need to petition for her all over again....However, becasue you will already be a U.S citizen by then, the process will be faster, since she would not have to wait for an A# to become available. Also, even if she maintains her residency, she may break her continuous residency and will have to push back her application for Naturalization.....

Unless she is eligible for expedited naturalization as a spouse of USC living abroad.

 

[Jackolantern]

1) Do you mean that you will wait another two years to get naturalized? That's the only way the both of you can get naturalized together.

And even if they apply at the same time, that doesn't mean they will be interviewed at the same time or get the oath at the same time.

 

[zxmn51]

Thanks all for your opinions,

On 3rd question. Is it possible to apply wife USC outside of the country based on husband USC? If she starts USC process in the US, is it same like family based USC process?

 

[Jackolantern]

On 3rd question. Is it possible to apply wife USC outside of the country based on husband USC? If she starts USC process in the US, is it same like family based USC process?

Citizenship based on marriage requires the citizen spouse to have held US citizenship for at least 3 years of the marriage. That scenario is not really relevant to you, as she will be eligible for citizenship under the regular 5 year rule before you have a been a citizen for 3 years.

And whoever is applying for citizenship needs to be living in the US during the application process until the oath (short trips abroad are allowed, but the primary residence still needs to be in the US), unless one meets certain exceptions like being in the military.