Becoming a US Citizen after Marriage

does anyone know how long it takes for someone holding a H1b work visa to become a US citizen after signing the papers? they're not holding a greencard either....

Take a peak at:

www.uscis.gov

This site is the official Immigration site and should give you all the information you need. FM me if you have any questions. I am in the process of going through all the immigration stuff right now :) Not the HB1 Visa though .........

If your FH a citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident?

ETA - Oh, sorry, since you asked about US Citizenship, I assume the spouse is a citizen....

Nevermind!

I do immigration paperwork for clients.

If they hold a visa only...you must first apply for adjustment of status. This process can take about 1-2 yrs. depending on each case.

You must first become a permanent resident before you can apply for citizenship.

Once they become a permanent resident (and get a 'green card'), if you are married to a U.S. Citizen, you must wait 3 yrs. before you are allowed to file for citizenship. (5 yrs. if unmarried) That process, again, can take about a 1 or 2, depending on immigration.

You can only apply for citizenship after 3 years of marriage if married to a US Citizen. Unless they have lived already in the US for 5 years (legally!!!).

They should really apply for the green card first after being married.

Marriage does not grant you the right to live in the US. You have to apply for it. The person will be interviewed, etc... The green card give you the right to live in the US and work. Most likely they will have to check on the visa status. US Immigration does not like 'mixing' status.... i.e. someone with a Work visa getting married..... or student visa applying for green card.

It's a long process. At least several months (when there are no issues).

They should give them an 'application' for green card receipt (attached to passport) to prove they are in a 'temporiry' status. It is higly recommended not to travel overseas while doing this.

wow, that's really tedious!!! well, fh's company is sponsoring him for a greencard and he's been here for at least 7-8 years now since college on student visa which then turned to H1b when he started working. time is running out tho on his H1b and i think in order for him to stay in the US, either he's gotta get his greencard approved, go back to school or get married... not sure but was curious as to how long the process would take .... i dun really understand how this works myself! i get the feeling that if fh doesn't get married and if his greencard application isn't processed in time, he's gotta leave the country!

thanx gals for the info!!! quickie question... at what point after marriage then can fh travel if he doesn't have a valid passport? is there a different procedure for international travel when ur still applying for a greencard? i feel so ignorant of these things!!!