? about green card and citizenship-timelines

[keithandkatya]

My wife and I have now been waiting for 14 months without the hint of an interview date...our senator was contacted and according to the INS it will be at LEAST 24 months.. maybe more due to new security rules etc.  MY QUESTION for any of you that may know... does INS count from the day you are married before one can apply and receive citizenship or do they go by when you receive your greencard... it seems a bit strange that they would go by the time your receive your greencard considering that in some areas there is a short wait and in other areas there is a very long wait... anyone out there that have gone through the process have any insights on this question??? thanks!!

Keith

[SteveM]

... in response to ? about green card and citizenship-timel..., posted by keithandkatya on Mar 15, 2003

Unfortunately, the answer is that the removal of conditions from permanent residence and the ability to apply for citizenship are both tied to the day you get the conditional PR approved.

Sorry to hear about the wait getting worse...

[Bill P]

... in response to ? about green card and citizenship-timel..., posted by keithandkatya on Mar 15, 2003

They told us when we interviewed for temporary green card last June (1 yr after marriage) that we needed to apply for permanent green card after 1 yr and 9 months (i.e. bnext spring) and that we could apply for citizenship in one additional year (spring 2005).  So it would appear that the timing is from when you receive your temporary green card and not from when you get married.  If something has changed, my information may be outdated.

-Bill P