stuart Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 Hi,im new to this forum but just want to ask for some advice.I have known my girlfriend(40) for over 2 yrs now.She was born in Germany and moved to Florida when she was 3 yrs old and has lived and worked there ever since.She is separated from her husband of 22yrs who is a US citizen.I live in the UK and just want to know the best option for her to live here and even marry me here. As I have 2 daughters aged 15 and 16,it would not be possible for me to move to Florida (not until my daughters move out or get there own place at least)So the only option is for my girlfriend to move to the UK and live with me.My girlfriend has never actually became a US citizen(I thought as she was married to one,that made her one....but apparently not)she has a greencard though which needs updated.She recently applied to become a US citizen,which we both thought was the best way forward,but now im thinking that perhaps she could visit here if she just updated her greencard,as she still has a German passport?Or....is it possible for her to become a US citizen but also keep her German passport/status.We both realise that she could just come and live with me now as a German but she still wants to be able to keep her ability to return to Florida open as she has family and friends there,which I understand fully.Alot to digest,but any help or ideas would be appreciated.I have visited her 6 times in the past 2 yrs but I cant do this forever.Thanks Link to post Share on other sites
Island Girl Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I would advise having her consult with a really good immigration attorney. They can advise her of what her options are and discuss how to proceed. She may want to follow through with the application for US citizenship especially if she has children that are US citizens from her prior marriage. Whatever the case may be - this wouldn't be the best place to get advice on this kind of complicated situation. An attorney (again, a really GOOD one) would be your best source of information and advice. Link to post Share on other sites
norajane Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 She can leave the US and visit you in the UK under her German passport and US green card, and be able to return to the US. But to live in the UK is a whole different thing. You'd need to consult both a UK immigration attorney and a US immigration attorney. If she wants to retain her permanent resident alien status in the US (her green card status), there are probably rules about how long she can leave the US, and moving to the UK to live would certainly impact her US green card status. If she's already filed for US citizenship, she should probably go through the process and get her citizenship. At that point, she can't travel under her German passport - she'll need a US passport. She can live in the UK as an ex-pat and retain her US citizenship, but that's when the UK immigration attorney will have to help you regarding her residency status in the UK, AND a US immigration attorney will have to help her figure out what she'd need to do to retain her US citizenship. Link to post Share on other sites
Island Girl Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 She can leave the US and visit you in the UK under her German passport and US green card, and be able to return to the US. But to live in the UK is a whole different thing. You'd need to consult both a UK immigration attorney and a US immigration attorney. If she wants to retain her permanent resident alien status in the US (her green card status), there are probably rules about how long she can leave the US, and moving to the UK to live would certainly impact her US green card status. If she's already filed for US citizenship, she should probably go through the process and get her citizenship. At that point, she can't travel under her German passport - she'll need a US passport. She can live in the UK as an ex-pat and retain her US citizenship, but that's when the UK immigration attorney will have to help you regarding her residency status in the UK, AND a US immigration attorney will have to help her figure out what she'd need to do to retain her US citizenship. FYI - as a "head's up" -- if she does go this route CHECK with US Immigration first. As it stands now -- she CAN travel there but depending on the length of visit she may need additional forms to travel with. And since the current laws are changing just about every 6 months with additional laws being created (that are retroactive) as well, I just wouldn't want you steered in the wrong direction. Trust me I have been dealing with US Immigration for the last 2 1/2 years and it is mind boggling how many things they keep changing. An attorney can advise you better than anyone with what is best for her circumstances as well as her plans with you. Good Luck. Link to post Share on other sites
Author stuart Posted December 28, 2008 Author Share Posted December 28, 2008 Thanks guys Link to post Share on other sites
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