Immigration from Australia

[immihelp]

I am an Australia citizen living in Australia with my American born husband who has lived in Australia since 1982. We have been married for 23 years and have a 20 year old son who holds dual American and Australian citizenship and is presently studying at MSU in Springfield MO. We are looking at moving to the States in early 08 but I have been told that I won’t be able to stay longer than 3 months and that I will need to apply for US citizenship. I have read on your web site that because of my marriage status I should be able to apply for a visa that will allow me to stay in the States longer than the 3 month period. If so, what do I need to do and where do I need to apply? Once I am able to remain in the country for longer than the 3 months would it be a more acceptable course of action for me to then apply for citizenship while I am already in the States, rather than going though the whole process here in Australia via the the American Consulate in Sydney?

I believe I have accumulated all the necessary paperwork, so this side of things won’t take up too much time. Any help and advice from you would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to your reply.

[immihelp]

You can't get citizenship right away.

You need to get US green card first. You can come to US for visa waiver program (http://www.immihelp.com/visa-waiver-program/) and then your husband applies for your green card https://www.immihelp.com/family-based-greencard/index.html That way you can stay in US for more than 3 months.

After you get your green card, you have to wait for 3 years before you can apply for citizenship. It will take another 1 year to get that. Details at https://www.immihelp.com/usa-citizenship-through-naturalization/