Green card and marriage

[rvink]

Hello All,

My company has decided to start my green card process through PERM.... i've heard people say that once green card is approved, it is hard to get a dependent visa... and that there is some "stage" in the green card process before which spouse's application must be included in the process... I think it might take at least 2 yrs before I get married... and most likely the person is not going to have a valid US visa. But, I would like get the process started as early as possible for the obvious reasons... So, can someone elaborate on this subject. It would be very helpful.
Is that "***** stage" thing true? if so, what is the drop dead time before which spouse's application must be included?, how long does it ususally take to get to that stage? etc...

Thanks!

[Boyan]

The "***** stage" is anytime before your green card interview. You have to get married and apply for your spouse’s visa before you appear for an interview. If you marry after that your spouse will have to wait years before she/he can join you. So you can apply for I-140 then file I-485 and as long as you file her/his petition to the immigration before your interview you guys should be OK.

[rvink]

Thanks

[leifbooger]

The current priority date for EB3 category is March 2001. So even if you file your labor through PERM now and get it approved by July 2006, you will still need to wait 5 years before you can file your I-485. Few months after you file your 485 technically March 2011. Then you would be in trouble if you did not get married by then. So take it easy. There are millions waiting in line before you to file 485. Just go ahead and file for PERM and forget about it.