QUESTION
What does my boyfriend have to do to change his tourist visa to a green card?
Asked on Mar 22nd, 2011 on Immigration - California
More details to this question:
My boyfriend has a tourist visa, which will expire in 2014. He wants to become a permanent resident. What can he do to obtain a green card?
2 ANSWERS
Immigration Law Attorney serving Costa Mesa, CA
Partner at
Law Offices of Louis M. Piscopo, APLC
2 Awards
If you are a US Citizen and you get married, then you can petition him and he can apply for his permanent residence in the U.S. (i.e,, obtain a Green Card). Other methods include employment sponsorship, but to determine if he is eligible would require more information and he must also have a employer to petition him. Also, please note, while your boyfriends visitor visa may expire in 2014, it is highly unlikely that his visitor status (as shown by his I-94) was granted for more than 6 months. Once his visitor status expires he is out of status.
Answered on Mar 23rd, 2011 at 8:59 AM
Immigration and Naturalization Attorney serving San Francisco, CA
at
The Law Office of Christine Troy
Update Your Profile
Just to clarify, a tourist visa does not allow a person to remain here until it's expiration. Rather the white I-94 card given to him upon entry determines the day he must depart the US. Normally six months are given. If he has overstayed by 180 days or more, he will trigger a three or ten year bar when he departs. There are many ways for a person to obtain a green card- family, employment, aslyum and the lottery are a few. You need to seek an hour long consult with a competent immigration attorney in order to analyze his case.
Answered on Mar 23rd, 2011 at 8:54 AM