Cowan Heights, CA Immigration Law Firms & Lawyers

You can file an extension for another 6 months a month before it expires. You need to inquire with a Mexican or Canadian lawyer regarding laws of those countries.

That is unclear, since only U.S. Citizens can 'usually' petition for an immediate visa, not greencard holders. The processing times are longer than most expect, because Congress 'underfunds' both the State Department and USCIS. This is done by Congressmen who are opposed to what is currently lawful immigration. You should try to become a U.S. Citizen as soon as possible. It may take years, because by the time processing is done, the Family 2 A category visas for your husband can run out. In addition, delay can happen if you don't provide all the evidence needed, which often happens to those who file for themselves.

If you were married prior to winning the lottery your husband should have been included as a derivative. If married after the lottery or the lottery group you won with has expired, then you can file for his permanent residency anytime. Yes you can petition for him but he will be in the FB-2a category which has a backlog of visas. As recently as last fall though this category was working on an August 2010 Priority Date (It is now back to January 2008) so definitely file an I-130 for him to get him in the queue and file for your own U.S. citizenship at the soonest date you are eligible (4 years and 9 months after your PR was granted assuming you meet the physical presence and other eligibility requirements). You may also want to look at other nonimmigrant options while he is waiting in the queue. If you would like a consultation on the facts of your specific case feel free to contact me as indicated below. I do charge for consultations but whatever you pay for the consultation would then be a credit toward the fees for your case if we are retained for services after the consultation.