Step 1: Collection of Documents - Day 1
This is the most difficult and important phase. Often times our foreign nationals do not have all the necessary documents in hand. They have to request these documents from a family member back home. These are the documents which are "must haves" and have a long lead time: 1. Birth Certificate (and certified translation) 2. Marriage Certificate (if any and certified translation) 3. Divorce Decrees for any and all prior marriages 4. Birth Certificates for all children, stepchildren and adopted children If you are one of our very prepared clients, youwill come to your Case Start meeting with these documents and all other "homework" ready.
Step 2: Document Signing - Day 7
We collected all of your documents and/or information Day 1. You come back to the office and sign all the petitions, applications and forms necessary for your application. In marriage cases the typical forms are: 1) Form I-130, 2) Form I-485, 3) Form I-864, 4) Form I-765, 5) Form I-131 (if we recommend international travel), 6) Forms G-325.
Step 3: Submission to USCIS - Day 14
We have diligently prepared your petitions and applications; Your application package has been peer reviewed by another attorney in our office to ensure there are no errors, no inconsistencies and no missing documentation. We copy the petition package for your records and ours. We send off your petition packages to the USCIS via Federal Express overnight service.
Step 4: Receipt Notices from the USCIS - Day 30
We receive receipt notices for each petition/application filed for you. You also receive a copy directly from the USCIS. We put your case numbers into our online portfolio to keep track of the activity on your petitions.
Step 5: Biometrics Appointment - Day 60
Our foreign national will be invited to come to a local Application Support Center to have biometrics taken. Biometrics includes fingerprints, signature and photograph. Look good on picture day, because this is the picture that will appear on your travel document, employment authorization document and green card! This shouldn't taken more than 15 minutes. We discourage you from missing this appointment!
Step 6: Employment and Travel Authorization Documents Arrive - Day 90
Unceremoniously, your employment and travel documents arrive in the mail around the 75th day after filing and the 90th day after starting on our journey together. If your processing time is longer, its because you didn't include something in that original filing package that the USCIS considers "initial evidence". Failure to submit all required "initial evidence" back in the beginning will halt all processing of all of your applications until you respond to the USCIS Requests for Evidence. The great thing about this stage is that now you can 1) apply for a Social Security Number and a 2) Driver's License. Your public transportation days are nearing an end!
Step 7: Interview at the USCIS - Day 120
Now you and your honey will be invited to an interview at the local USCIS office. All Maryland applicants are interviewed in the Baltimore District Office. All Virginia and DC applicants are interviewed in the Washington District Office in Fairfax, VA. Assuming your evidence is strong and you have your trusty lawyer sitting by your side, you should be interviewed together. If your evidence is weak, you have a history of fraud, or your public records don't match your statements, then you could have separate interviews. That can add to your stress level.
Step 8: Approval of Green Card - Day 120-180
If you had a successful interview, your documentation was complete and your fingerprints and name check cleared, you should receive your green card in the mail in the month or two following your interview. If you don't receive a response within that time, it indicates that something is missing and they are preparing a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny your application. If you receive that type of request, then you will have 30-87 days to provide the missing evidence/information. Assuming you are a Glinsmann client, you will be approved. Assuming you are approved, you will receive a conditional green card that will expire in 2 years if your marriage is less than 2 years old. If your marriage is over 2 years old , you will receive permanent residence.
