How quick can i become US citizen

[Drewby]

My first question wasI live in the USA and have been corresponding with a russian girl and if all works out maybe we will marry my question is after i visit her in russia and come back to the USA how will i be able to get her back to the USA and does it matter that i am not a US citizen.I might add that i have been living in the USA for 30 yrs now and still carry an alien registration card.
How will we do this or would it be easier for me to become a US citizen.
Please help.
Sincerely Andrew I guess my second ?is will it be easier and quicker if i become a US citizen and generally how long would that take?

[vagn]

... in response to How quick can i become US citizen , posted by Drewby on Feb 26, 2003

while you are looking into this consider also
how you might retain BOTH pasports.  Do you have
family, property, or other ties in europe?

Think you might want to work, travel, or live there
in the future?  Maybe raise your kids there?

Your old passport has value you may not have considered.

[Mike]

... in response to How quick can i become US citizen , posted by Drewby on Feb 26, 2003

You'll have to marry her there and then file the paperwork here which I'm not sure of the documents name but anyway it will be faster then the citizenship thing I suspect. I recommend going to BritishExpats.com,(which has nothing to do with your country of birth) or try entering " alt.visa.us.marriage-based " newsgroup and ask this question there. These forums are used mostly for marriage visa questions. I'm sure you will be guided in the correct direction.

Mike

[chuck12]

... in response to Re: How quick can i become US citizen , posted by Mike on Feb 26, 2003

Mike -

I went through the same thing as you. You need to contact the INS, have them send out the forms or fill them out online...can't recall the cost, maybe around $200.00. It will take you (depending on which state you are in), 3 to 4 months for your interview. Don't miss this. Interview will either pass or negate your citizenship, but since you've been living in the U.S. for 30 years, its pretty much a done deal unless you have a record? After your interview, they will inform you of the ceremony, this will be maybe another 3 - 4 months from the time of your interview, So if you start now, your looking at six months.

I would NOT marry your RW in her home country. This is possible, but then when you petition for her, you are in a waiting line and only so many are alloted to per year, and these are first given to U.S. citizens. If you marry her now as a non-U.S. citizen, it could be years before she could come across. Even when you become a U.S. citizen, I would not marry her abroad. File for the K-1, this is quick (as quick as it gets anyway), and also gives both of you a 3 month grace period before you need to make this commitment. Good luck.

[Mike]

... in response to Re: Re: How quick can i become US citize..., posted by chuck12 on Feb 26, 2003

Although I'm not the one with this problem mentioned above my wife has yet to file for citizenship, and she did a little research and the time line is more like 2 years to become a citizen once she applies. maybe it depends on what state you live in.
Mike

[tfcrew]

... in response to How quick can i become US citizen , posted by Drewby on Feb 26, 2003

Andrew..Your US visa inquiry was answered below.
There is an old "platitude", if you will..
Love will find a way.
Many Russian girls have given up on securing US entry. It just wasn't to be.
If you are a British citizen, you might consider obtaining a visa to England for a prospective bride. Easier for both of you.
Karl

[Drewby]

... in response to Putting the horse in the middle of two c..., posted by tfcrew on Feb 26, 2003

tfcrew please contact me if you know this is better and easier way to go.as i still live in USA my e mail is Drewmeister7@aol.com

[tfcrew]

... in response to Re: Putting the horse in the middle of t..., posted by Drewby on Feb 27, 2003

One should not seriously consider marrying someone they have not met.
However I must admit that I went to Ukraine with ring in hand on my first trip and anxiously presented it to my wife to be
I do not "know what is easier or better" in your particular case. I am familiar only concerning what US Immigration laws allow.
If things, later on, look like they might work out..then consider contacting the laision of the British consulate for arrangements.
Karl

[Pordzhik]

... in response to Putting the horse in the middle of two c..., posted by tfcrew on Feb 26, 2003

He'll be missing some very vital paperwork needed for any type of British visa for her.

[LP]

... in response to How quick can i become US citizen , posted by Drewby on Feb 26, 2003

...even in your case. You can't file a K1, you need to be one of "us".

Btw, no offense, but NOW you want to become a citizen? Just to marry an FSU girl? After living in and exploiting our system for 30 years? Whats up with that? Lol, thats awfully darn immigrant of you.