My tourist visa will be expired in June, but I got married to an American this January. And now I am expecting a baby and also work for my husband's company.

My question is that what are the steps for me to petition for getting a green card? Is is too late to petition right now since we've been married for months and my tourist visa is going to be expired?

We have been very busy for work and I also need to travel overseas on business. I really hope to know what are the procedures, forms and the leadtime for me to get a legal status as soon as possible?

Do I need to have an attorney to do the paper work for me or I can just fill it out by myself?

I am grateful for your response. Thank you ! Tinaa1216

If you have the money, you should get an attorney. It will make your life a lot easier! These INS applications are so complicated.

Dear Tina:

You can file for permanent residence based upon your marriage to a US citizen. While there is no requirement that you file before your status expires, if you do file before then, you would be eligible to apply for a travel document known as an advance parole that would allow you to leave and re-enter the US while your application is pending. The only catch on the advance parole is that you may be out of status because you indicate that you are working, which would be a violation of your non-immigrant status.

While you do not need an attorney to represent you in this type of case, the fact that you may have worked without authorization, and you are planning to apply for an advance parole, may cause problems with your case. For that reason, we would suggest that you at least have a consultation with an immigration law attorney who can advise you whether you are in fact out of status, thereby causing potential problems with your advance parole. Good luck.

Dear Sir,

While we file the I-130 and I-485 at the same time, should we submit also the Affidavit of Support?

When can I petition for the Employemnt authorization? Travel Authorization? and when to petition to remove the conditions of residence?

What will happen if I can not file the petition before my visa expires?

Thease are the questions bothering me. Thank you for your advice again.

Dear Tina:

You should file the I-130, I-485, I-765 (work authorization), and affidavit of support all at the same time. You will file the application for travel as soon as you know when you must travel.

As we stated above, if you do not file before your stay expires, you will still be able to obtain your residence since you entered legally and are married to a US citizen, however, it may affect your ability to travel while your case is pending.

For this reason, you should do your best to try to file before your authorized stay expires. Good luck.

Hello:
I'm from Spain,and i've been visiting the USA back and forth(always legally),because i met who is now my fiance.
I'm in my tourist visa right now,and it expires in a month.We are planning to get married within the next two weeks. MY questions are:
Do i have to leave the country before my visa expires even if i got married to a us citizien?
can i visit my family back home this christmas?
Thanks for your help,i really appreciatte.

I am a Greek citizen married to an American and have three American kids. We are moving back to the US from where my husband started the K3 process. While I am here in Athens, and while the K3 is pending, can I visit my husband in the US on my tourist visa? A consulate personnel advised me against it without citing a specific law however.
Best regards
A. Smith

I am a Greek citizen married to an American and have three American kids. We are moving back to the US from where my husband started the K3 process. While I am here in Athens, and while the K3 is pending, can I visit my husband in the US on my tourist visa? A consulate personnel advised me against it without citing a specific law however.
Best regards
A. Smith

I am a Greek citizen married to an American and have three American kids. We are moving back to the US from where my husband started the K3 process. While I am here in Athens, and while the K3 is pending, can I visit my husband in the US on my tourist visa? A consulate personnel advised me against it without citing a specific law however.
Best regards

Please help,
I have visited US ontourist visa, expiring in September /04 and got married to a US citizen. But I was separated form my wife from the country of origin. HOw shall I apply for my green card. Should I get divorced before I apply for my Green Card. Thanks for early radvise.

Don't you know you should have gotten divorced before you got marry.That's a crime and will mess you up.