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Is it faster to petition for my wife's immigrant visa in the US or is it better to do it while living abroad?
Anonymous10 views3 answers
I'm a us citizen living abroad and I have to go back to Arizona for employment reasons. I would like to bring my wife and kids with me but I still need to petition for my wife's immigrant visa. Is it better to apply for it here in Manila or can I do it in Phoenix? We are willing to sacrifice family separation if we have to, we are just wondering if it is better to do it abroad while we are together or is it okay for us to do it while I'm in the states working. I really do need to go back to the states for financial reasons. We have been living in the Philippines for over 4 years and we have 2 kids. Do I really need to hire a lawyer for my wife's petition? Any other tips you can give me on the fastest way to bring my family to the states will be highly appreciated. Thank you.
It is always best to hire a lawyer so that he or she can get the full picture. Unfortunately, the immigration process can be slow and unpredictable. You can certainly petition for your wife if you have to be in this country and work. She can initially enter the country on a spousal visa while she pursues her green card, so the family may not have to be separated as long as you think.
You should do it in Manila ... I doubt very much that she'll be let in on a tourist visa ... thus adjustment isn't a realistic option.
Yes, having a lawyer will make things go faster, and less painful.
Your situation is not quite ordinary, so it is important that you talk to an immigration lawyer before you proceed with sponsoring your wife for the immigration. Generally, both ways may work for you if done correctly, but there are many factors in the equation that must be taken into consideration. For example, status of your children, when the marriage was registered, whether you meet the poverty guidance to sponsor the intending immigrant, do you have a domicile in the U.S. for immigration purposes, and so on. You also need to understand that the process may take months or even years (if there is anything unusual along the way), so you will need to plan accordingly.
I am located in Phoenix, if you wish to talk about your situation, please give us a call at 602 710 13 28.
