Getting gf a green card due to relocation
I’m moving from Ct to Seattle for a job at Amazon. My girlfriend will be moving with me. She’s currently a food scientist but will be leaving her company to join me. She’s a Chinese citizen and her company provides her with an H-1B. We planned to get legally married so that she can get a green card and not lose her status and be here illegally. We planned to hire a lawyer as my start date is March 5th and we haven’t done anything yet, just came back from meeting her family and getting blessing in China. We planned to hire a lawyer who will charge us $3200 who is in Nyc. Has anyone experienced this sort of thing? If so what’s your experience. Does anyone have any thoughts on any of this. We aren’t immigration experts to say the least. Feel to pm me if it’s preferred.
Get married, then have her leave her role. Don’t do it before that. When you do, she needs to be prepared to stay in the country until the process is complete. Leaving is a pain in the ass. Get legal support in San Francisco. Faster process and expertise especially with Chinese citizens.
That’s a good point my gf has a lawyer who helped out one of her friends in nyc and seems to think it’s fine. How big a diff do you think nyc vs sf will make? Yea we planned to sign papers next week and leave a couple weeks after, is that ok though? Will the timeline be too short? She is planning to stay, any idea how long process takes?
Was in the same boat two years ago... got married and applied for my GC the day after! You really don’t need to hire a lawyer. It’s pretty simple and there are videos and forums available on how to file.
With the immigration law changing or tried to be changed every week, I would stay on the safe side and work with a lawyer. Have you checked if Amazon relocation team can provide support? I know other companies do.
Yea I want to play it safe. I always say it’s best not to cheap out on Crossfit gyms, physical therapists, doctors, therapists, accountants and lawyers. Get good help when needed and get the issue solved the right way without worry. I didn’t think to contact amazon about it but that makes good sense to.
She will not have automatic authorization to stay once you get married. Friend of mine was in the same condition and the lawyer instructed them to only break the employment (thus losing the h-1b if you don't find a new one fast enough) AFTER you get the work and travel authorizations for the GC.
How long does that usually take?
Indendently, get the best lawyer you can afford for her and follow his instructions in details.
It took me 6 months just to get my work visa under a conditional green card- but I went from fiance visa to green card, not H1B. From what I heard it's a tougher to go H1B to GC route, recommend not quitting so soon after. also +1 on a good lawyer
Go with a lawyer but this is a straight forward process. Ur lawyers is expensive. Talk to some in the bay area if u want to save some dough
Won’t lawyers in the Bay Area cost more just like those in nyc because these are more expensive areas?
Send her over
Also has anyone actually worked with any great lawyers on this? I just heard back from the original one who quoted us for $3200 which was supposed to include everything and they then added fees of about $1500 so that’s a no go. Originally I thought you just need to file I-130 but they said we need to file I-495 too which is another $1250.
I appreciate your 2c however although the timing of the marriage is a bit rushed I am in no way desperate nor doing it because of the green card. Also I’m willing to help my partner in any way I can and think marriage should be based on more than just race (ie the marry white comment). I doubt I’m alone in having a similar situation. I am reaching out to lawyers. If you don’t want than simply stop following the convo and stop complaining, it’s a waste of everyone’s time. I don’t think this is spam and hopefully else comes into a similar situation they’ll be able to reference this convo as a valuable asset.
You have come to the right place my friend. People on blind are omniscient. You will get the best advice here.
Yep I’d hoped so it’s sort of an odd case to be in and I wasn’t sure if I should tag it under relationships or visa but fingers crossed.