From what I've read, after our interview next week, to change my status to permanent, I and my 21 year old will be sent our green cards (I'm asuming ours will be automaticaly accepted since I came on K1 & we are now married)

I don't imagine my 15 year old will get a green card?

In general, how long does this process take, how soon after interview should we be hoping to recieve it?

After all the twists & turns I cant wait for all this to be over (until we apply for citizenship at least)

Thanks

Chrissy

Chrissy, I'm not familiar with your situation. You have two children? One is 21 and one is 15? You have been married for over 2 years? Or have you only just married?

Going on the scenario that you just married then you will not change your status to permanent. After your interview, if your petitions are approved, you and your children will become conditional permanent residents. Did you marry before your 21 year old turned 18? If not, I don't believe he/she qualifies for adjustment of status. Did you file separate petitions for the three of you? Why would you think your 15 year old would not get a green card?

Hi Rete

yes, just married in February when oldest daughter was 20, they gave her a K2 visa & we filed for her adjustment of status before she was 21, we were advised by the US embassy in London that that would be ok.

I'm sorry I wasnt very clear in my question, I do know it's 'conditional'.

I thought green cards were only given to adults & 15 year old would only get whenh she is 18 so thanks for putting me straight on that.

They've already sent me & my 21 year old work permits but only valid for 12 months.

I hope there wont be any hiccups with my 21 year-old staying as conditional permanent resident since I wouldn't have emigrated without her, but iknow I'm more concerned that she hasnt received the letter we have got, inviting us to the first interview to adjust status.

I know I can apply for citizenship after 3 years since I am married to a US citizen but I'm assuming both my daughters will have to wait the usual 5 years?

Thanks
chrissy

This is normal.


Because of her age, her adjustment is likely to more problematic than either yours or your younger daughter.


You can apply for citizenship 3 years after you become a permanent resident. Your older daughter will need to wait 5 years after she becomes a permanent resident. If your younger daughter is under 18 when you become a US citizen, she will automatically become a USC at the same time. If you naturalize after she turns 18, she'll need to wait out the 5 years.

Ian

No matter what happens, please keep us posted.

Did your daughter turn 21 while she was outside the US?

Ian

Thanks SF will certainly let forum know what happens.

Thank you so much Ian (love your title SP lol)

She turned 21 when she was in USA with us, after sending in all her forms change of status, work permit, parole. She received work permit and parole letters, just not the letter inviting her to the first interview that we have received.

I can see this is not a done deal and I did advise her to stay in US but she wanted to return for her graduation ceremnoy and to see her father who is not well & will need an operation next month.

I'm not going to worry about this, just carry on with a process that we've been following for more than a year and going along with the advise we've had from US embassy & USCIS & guidelines we've read.

I certainly wouldnt have agreed to living with my husband in the USA if I hadn't been assured that both my childen could live there, I have no wish to split my family up.

Chrissy (reminding myself that things happen for the best)

Well, USCIS has long taken the position that a K-2 ages out at 21 y/o. I've no idea whether or not that'll be a problem for her, but prior assurances by the Embassy and USCIS are really quite meaningless when it comes to entrenched practices by officers in the US.

You should probably have an experienced immigration attorney on retainer! Good luck.

Ian

Update on what happened,

came back to US & first night back invited to a party where I got chatting to someone about our case, she phoned her brother (attorney with some immigration experience) & I talked to him, he said as long as applied before she was 21 it would be ok, if the postmark showed it was before her birthday then would be ok even if didn't reach them before then because they would take the posted date. He said shouldn't be a problem but take his number and give him a call if there was any problem there - what a gem!

Anyway, went to interview & no problem at all except both the girls medical info has still not turned up yet, can't understand why not when I handed mine in with youngest & mine was there.

I finally got my "green" card last week and couldn't quite believe it

Nothing at all about my children but the man who interviewed us confirmed that they will both be OK, my eldest was so anxious she asked him at the end after he had said everything should be fine.

Thanks again for all the advice
Chrissy

I'm glad to hear the interview went well and that you are now a CPR. I would suggest that you not wait too long in following up on the girls' medical. Did the interviewer suggest that perhaps they might be better off to have the medical again and perhaps mail the results to him so that the cases can be decided?

I was thinking about that myself Rete, but that office can't be phoned directly & I wasn't sure a letter to them would be the right approach. I might try the helpline if it doesn't come next week.

He didn't suggest another medical & I'd be really annoyed if they did, cost me enough in London & I'd certainly not agree to another unnecessary X-ray, with the accompanying health risk that's attached to them.

He did seem apologetic that they didn't have the youngest ones medical since it was handed in with mine last December - goodness knows what procedure they go through here with them, since presumably they are checked out in London anyway before they issue us our visas, and I cannot imagine how it could take over 7 months to reach the interviewer in the same state.

I feel optimistic though - will let you know what happens.
Thanks
Chrissy