Fortson, GA Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

Generally, an immigration law firm experienced with naturalization applications can prepare and file a naturalization application within days of receiving all of the necessary supporting documents. The USCIS then must schedule a biometrics appointment for the applicant and then schedule an in-person interview and examination. The USCIS is inconsistent in its processing time, but generally it can schedule a biometrics appointment within just a few weeks of filing the application package, and generally it will schedule an interview and examination within approximately 4 - 6 months. When properly prepared and fully documented, the USCIS generally will make a decision on the application at the time of the interview and examination, and then will schedule a swearing-in ceremony soon afterwards. When a decision cannot be finalized at the time of the interview and examination, there can be substantial delay - sometimes many months. One more note: the USCIS's Atlanta Field Office reports that as of June 30, 2017 (the most recent posting of processing dates by that office), it was then processing cases that had been filed on or before September 17, 2016. While that may appear to reflect a processing time of about 9 months, that may be misleading.

Although not entirely clear from your question, it sounds like you entered the U.S. lawfully and with inspection (with a visitor's visa), you overstayed the visa, and then fell in love with a U.S. citizen whom you now plan to marry. If that is accurate, after marriage you and your spouse should be able to successfully apply for you to adjust status to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card") notwithstanding that you have overstayed your visa. It would be wise to consult with an immigration attorney who could learn all of the relevant information about you and the person you intend to marry, in order to advise you about immigration eligibilities, options and strategies.

Employment-based applications and family-based applications both provide pathways by which a beneficiary may adjust status to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (to get a "Green Card"). Both processes are governed by extensive regulations and contain many eligibility requirements. It would be necessary to learn many more details about you, your employer and your employment in order to complete a worthwhile analysis and to advise about the pathway that would be the easiest, fastest and most likely to be successful. Some immigration law firms, including mine, offer legal services on a "flat fee" basis so that a client will know the total expense from the very beginning, and a few immigration law firms, including mine, offer an initial consultation free of charge.