ian-mstm

There's no such thing as "technically". You are eligible to apply for citizenship 5 years (less 90 days) from the "resident since" date on your green card. If you are now past that 5 year date, do it. The sooner you become a USC, the sooner your future wife will be able to get an immigrant visa.

Ian

Noorah101

.... unless he otherwise doesn't qualify (too much time spent outside the USA, or hasn't lived at current location long enough to file the N-400 yet, etc.)

I suggest that the OP file an N-400 ASAP, if he's eligible, and then don't file the I-130 for his wife until he's a USC (takes about 6 months total from filing N-400 to oath ceremony). That way, his wife will fall into the immediate relative category and will get her immigrant visa in about 8 - 10 months.

THAT would be the quickest way of getting her here.

Rene

Michael

Only if he signed up for the selective service if an LPR between the age of 18-26 otherwise he has to wait until age 31 before he can be naturalized. But I agree that naturalization has been fairly quick recently (sometimes less than 4 months depending on the location) so that is probably the fastest way and he may possibly be naturalized before he gets married.

kgeargeoura

Ok so here's the story.

My parents and I all got our green cards in 2005. I was at the time still studying at university in the UK. And completed my postgraduate in 2008, I then came back for a while and was then offered a job, which was in the UK.

Also when I arrived in 2005, I think I did sign up for selective service? Not sure.

However, I had permanent address here in the US the whole time and regularly came back. And now I am permanently back in the US for the foreseenable future.

kgeargeoura

I can't remember it was definitely something to do with being called up for service. But not actually voluntarily signing up, if that makes sense.

Michael

Use this link to determine if you registered for the Selective Service.

https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfVerification.aspx

Noorah101

Ah, so it sounds like a lot of the past 8 years was spent in the UK, not the USA, so maybe you don't qualify to file the N-400 just yet. The only way to know is to go to that link I posted, go to the USCIS Guide to Naturalization, and fill out the chart in that publication to determine if you're currently eligible for citizenship. From what you've said here, without specific dates, we can't tell you.

How long exactly have you been continuously inside the USA, without going back to the UK for long stretches?

Rene

kgeargeoura

This time around since February.

kgeargeoura

Yup I did register for selective service on 6/22/2005. I'm now 30 years old though. Not sure if it makes a difference.

Noorah101

February 2013?? Ugh. Sounds like you have a long way to go until you're eligible to file the N-400, but do the worksheet anyway, just to make sure.

Rene

Michael

At least since you did register, you will be able to qualify for government jobs (Civil Servants, JPL, Lawrence Livermore Labs, NASA, etc.) when you become a US citizen.

Noorah101

As long as you registered when you were supposed to, you're fine.

Rene

kgeargeoura

Cool thanks.

kgeargeoura

Wow ok. That's nice to know