As a Rhode
island K-1 Visa Attorney, James Howe has an in depth
understanding of the Immigration and Naturalization Process.
This is the process by which U.S. citizens and
permanent residents can request that permanent residency be granted
for their immediate family members (parents, children, brothers and
sisters), given that they can demonstrate that they can financially
support them in the U.S..
There are two categories of petitions: relatives of U.S. citizens
and relatives of legal permanent residents.
Relatives of U.S. Citizens:
US citizens may file petitions on behalf of the following family
members:
Spouse;
Parents (if citizen is at least 21 years of age);
Married or unmarried children over 21 years of age and married
children under 21 years of age, including stepchildren (unmarried
children under 21 years of age are eligible for naturalization
without having to go through the residency process); and
Brothers and Sisters (if citizen is at least 21 years of age).
Estimated wait periods for residency to be available for:
Spouse: 6-12 months (however, work permit is granted within 0 - 90
days)
Parent: 6-12 months (however, work permit is granted within 0 - 90
days)
Children over 21 years of age: 6-7 years
Married child under 21 years of age: 6 years
Important disclaimer: the above estimates are based on our
experience and for informational purposes only. They are subject to
change depending on the location and volume of cases handled by a
particular US Immigration Service center.
Relatives of Permanent Residents:
Legal permanent residents may file petitions on behalf of the
following family members:
Spouse; and
Unmarried children (including stepchildren)
The immediate family of the applicant is eligible to obtain
permanent residency with all its benefits, at the same time the
applicant receives his or her own permanent residency, if they are
included in the petition at the time of making the adjustment of
status.
If family members at not included in the resident's own petition at
the time of filing, then the legal permanent resident must apply
separately after receipt of his/her own residency and go through a
waiting period before obtaining the green card for the family
member.
Estimated wait periods for residency to be available for:
Spouse: 5 years
Unmarried child under 21: 5 years
Unmarried child over 21: 9 years
Important disclaimer: the above estimates are based on our
experience and for informational purposes only. They are subject to
change depending on the location and volume of cases handled by a
particular US Immigration Service center.
Once permanent residency is approved it will remain valid as long as
the person continues to reside the majority of the time in the U.S.
and complies with the legal conditions for permanent residency.
Residency status never expires as long as you continue to meet the
residency eligibility conditions as stated in your residency
application. However, the green card (or evidence of permanent
residency) expires every 10 years and it is recommended that it be
renewed six months before expiration.
Permanent residency allows all family members to legally live, study
and or work in the U.S..
1.Birth Certificate (copy of original and translated if original not
in English) for
Alien (Beneficiary)
Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (Petitioner)
2.Marriage Certificate (if applying for spouse or children) Copy of
original and translated if original not in English
3
Copy of Citizen's or Legal Permanent Resident's Tax Returns Last 3
Years
4.Copy of Letter from Citizen's or Legal Permanent Resident's Employer
stating:
Date of hire
Position held
Salary
5
Copy of Bank Statements for Joint Bank and other financial Accounts
(if applying for spouse)
Oldest; and
Most Recent.
6
Passport size photographs on white background
One photo of Citizen
2 photos of Alien
7.Copy of Alien's Passport
8.Copy of Alien's U.S. visa and I-94 Form (if alien already in the
U.S.)
There are three different procedures depending upon the status of
the petitioner, their relationship with the beneficiary and
individual circumstances of the applicants.
Local US Immigration Service office process:
Stage One:
Prepare and file the appropriate forms and supporting documents with
the local US Immigration Service office
Form G-28
Form I-181 (if required by the local US Immigration Service office)
Form I-130
Form G-325-petitioner
Form G-325-beneficiary
Form I-485
Form I-485 A (only if beneficiary did not enter with a valid Visa)
Form I-864 (Petitioner)
Form I-864 (Additional Sponsor if petitioner's income doesn't
qualify). This should be accompanied with evidence of citizenship or
legal permanent residency
Form I-765
Form IRS-9003
Form I-693 (medical examination by a US Immigration Service approved
doctor)
Obtain an Employment Authorization Document (Work Authorization
Card) from the US Immigration Service if desired
Stage Two:
Appear at the US Immigration Service support center for fingerprints
on date scheduled by the US Immigration Service
Prepare for the US Immigration Service interview if one is required
and submit documents in support of the petition to the US
Immigration Service
Appear at the US Immigration Service office for an interview and
obtain legal permanent residence (spouses of U.S. citizens get a
conditional legal permanent residence if marriage is less than 2
years on date of interview)
Stage Three (for conditional residency only):
If granted conditional permanent residency the alien must submit an
additional petition to the US Immigration Service 90 days prior to
the expiration of the conditional residency
The US Immigration Service Service Center process:
Stage One:
Prepare and file the appropriate forms and supporting documents with
the regional US Immigration Service service center
Form G-28
Form I-130
Form G-325-petitioner
Form G-325-beneficiary
Supporting documents
Obtain approved I-130 petition
Stage Two:
Wait for green card availability (according to priorities specified
in eligibility section)
When a visa is available file I-485 (adjustment of status) petition
with the local US Immigration Service office
Form I-485
Form I-485 A (only if beneficiary did not enter with a valid Visa)
Form I-864 (Petitioner)
Form I-864 (Additional Sponsor if petitioner's income doesn't
qualify). This should be accompanied with evidence of citizenship or
legal permanent residency
Form I-765
Form I-693 (a medical examination by a US Immigration Service
approved doctor)
Apply for work authorization (Work Authorization Card) if desired
Appear at the US Immigration Service support center for fingerprints
on date scheduled by the US Immigration Service
Prepare for the US Immigration Service interview if one is required
and submit documents in support of the petition to the US
Immigration Service
Appear at the US Immigration Service office for an interview and
obtain legal permanent residence (spouses of U.S. citizens get a
conditional legal permanent residence if marriage is less than 2
years on date of interview)
Stage Three:
If granted conditional permanent residency the alien must submit an
additional petition to the US Immigration Service 90 days prior to
the expiration of the conditional residency
Consular process:
Stage One:
Prepare and file the appropriate forms and supporting documents with
the local US Immigration Service service center
Form G-28
Form I-130
Form G-325-petitioner
Form G-325-beneficiary
Supporting documents
Obtain approved I-130 petition
Stage Two:
Wait for green card availability (according to priorities specified
in eligibility section)
when a visa is available file I-485 (adjustment of status) petition
with appropriate consulate office
Form I-485
Form I-485 A (only if beneficiary did not enter with a valid Visa)
Form I-864 (Petitioner)
Form I-864 (Additional Sponsor if petitioner's income doesn't
qualify). This should be accompanied with evidence of citizenship or
legal permanent residency
Form I-693 (a medical examination by a US Immigration Service
approved doctor)
Appear at Consulate office for interview and obtain legal permanent
residence (spouses of U.S. citizens get a conditional legal
permanent residence if marriage is less than 2 years on date of
interview)
Note: Consulate offices may have different procedures and
requirements depending on country of location.
Stage Three:
If granted conditional permanent residency the alien must submit an
additional petition to the US Immigration Service 90 days prior to
the expiration of the conditional residency
For more information regarding Immigration Law in Rhode
Island
Click here:
Immigration Law - Frequently Asked
Questions
Contact us by
Email or call us today at (401) 788-0600 to speak with a
someone from our firm..
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