1. ¿Cuáles son las opciones de tarjeta verde para una viuda o un viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

The green card options for a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen is a “green card through marriage,” also known as an “immediate relative” visa. This visa allows the widow or widower to apply for permanent residence in the United States and become a lawful permanent resident. In addition, the widow or widower must be able to show that they entered the marriage in good faith and that the marriage was not entered into for the purpose of obtaining a green card. The widow or widower must also meet certain other requirements, such as having no prior record of unlawful presence in the United States and not being inadmissible under any other immigration law.

2. ¿Existe un límite de tiempo para solicitar una tarjeta verde para una viuda o un viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes, there is a time limit to file for a green card for a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen. The widow or widower must file the Form I-360 within two years of the citizen’s death.

3. ¿Necesito haber estado casado con el ciudadano estadounidense cuando falleció para poder solicitar una tarjeta verde?

No. Widows and widowers of U.S. citizens can still qualify for a green card if the marriage occurred within two years prior to the citizen’s death, or at least two years prior to filing for the green card.

4. ¿Qué documentos de respaldo debo incluir en mi solicitud de tarjeta de residencia para una viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

In order to apply for a green card as the widow or widower of a U.S. citizen, you must submit the following supporting documents:
-A copy of your deceased spouse’s death certificate
-A copy of your marriage certificate
-Proof of termination of any prior marriages
-Proof that you are the parent of any children included in your application
-Evidence of your relationship with your deceased spouse (such as photos, joint bank accounts, birth certificates for children born during the marriage, shared leases, etc.)
-Proof that you maintained a valid residence in the U.S. after your spouse’s death
-Evidence of any legal name change (if applicable)
-Proof that you have been living in marital union with your deceased spouse until his or her death
-A copy of the biographic page from your passport
-Two identical passport-style photographs taken within 30 days prior to filing

5. ¿Qué formulario debo presentar para solicitar una tarjeta verde como viudo o viuda de un ciudadano estadounidense?

You will need to submit Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant.

6. ¿Existe una tarifa de solicitud para la solicitud de tarjeta verde para viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes, there is an application fee of $535 for the green card application for widow or widower of a U.S. citizen.

7. ¿Se requiere una entrevista para la solicitud de tarjeta verde para viudo o viuda de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes, applicants for a green card based on the marriage to a US citizen must attend an interview with a USCIS officer.

8. ¿Puedo viajar fuera de los EE. UU. mientras se procesa mi solicitud de tarjeta de residencia para viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes, if you have a valid re-entry permit or a valid advance parole document, you may travel outside the U.S. while the application is being processed. If you do not have either of these documents, then you can travel outside the U.S. after your green card has been approved.

9. ¿Se acelerará mi solicitud de tarjeta de residencia si soy viuda o viuda de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes, green card applications for widows and widowers of U.S. citizens can be expedited. The process is known as the Widow(er)’s Priority Processing and involves filing Form I-360 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

10. ¿Qué otros beneficios recibiré si me aprueban la tarjeta verde como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

If you are approved for a green card as the widow or widower of a U.S. citizen, you will be eligible to live and work in the United States permanently. You may also be able to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years, if you meet the requirements. Additionally, you may be eligible for certain government benefits, such as Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.

11. ¿Existe un requisito de idioma inglés para calificar para la tarjeta verde como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

No, no existe ningún requisito de idioma inglés para calificar para la tarjeta verde como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense.

12. ¿Puedo trabajar en los EE. UU. mientras se procesa mi solicitud de tarjeta de residencia como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes, you may be eligible to apply for employment authorization while the green card application is being processed. This is done through Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You must provide evidence that you are a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen, such as a copy of the death certificate or other proof of the marriage and the death.

13. ¿Podré patrocinar a otros después de que se me apruebe mi tarjeta de residencia como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes, once you have been approved for a green card as the widow or widower of a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor other individuals for U.S. permanent residence.

14. ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva procesar mi solicitud de tarjeta verde como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

The processing time for a green card application as the widow or widower of a U.S citizen can vary, depending on the individual’s situation. Generally, it can take from six months to a year or more for the entire process to be completed.

15. ¿Existe alguna restricción sobre mi elegibilidad para recibir una tarjeta de residencia como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes, there are some restrictions on your eligibility to receive a green card as the widow or widower of a U.S citizen. You must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. You must have been legally married to the U.S citizen for at least two years at the time of their death.

2. You must not have been legally separated from the U.S citizen at the time of their death.

3. You must have been living in the U.S when your spouse died, or if you were living abroad, you must have been living in the same country as your spouse at the time of their death.

4. You must not have remarried before applying for a green card.

16. ¿Se me exigirá que me someta a un examen médico al solicitar mi tarjeta de residencia como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

No. You will not be required to have a medical examination when applying for a green card as the widow or widower of a U.S. citizen.

17. ¿Cuál es el proceso si se niega mi solicitud de tarjeta verde como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

If your application for a green card as the widow or widower of a U.S citizen is denied, you may have the option to appeal the decision or may be able to file a motion to reopen or reconsider the original decision. Depending on the circumstances and the reason for the denial, you may also be able to file a new application. It is advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer who can review your case and advise you on the best options.

18. ¿Pueden los miembros de mi familia venir conmigo y ser elegibles para el estatus de residente permanente derivado si se me concede una tarjeta verde como viuda o viudo de un ciudadano estadounidense?

Yes. If you are granted a green card as a widow or widower of a US citizen, your unmarried children under 21 years of age may apply for derivative permanent resident status. They must submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, along with the required documentation.

19. ¿Cómo afectará la obtención del estatus de residente permanente a través del programa de viudo o viuda de ciudadano estadounidense a mi estatus migratorio actual en los Estados Unidos?

If you obtain permanent resident status through the widow or widower of U.S. Citizen Program, it will not affect your current immigration status in the US. However, it will give you the right to work and live in the US without having to apply for a visa. Additionally, you will be eligible to apply for citizenship after a certain period of time.

20. ¿Qué sucede después de que se apruebe mi residencia permanente como viudo o viuda de ciudadano estadounidense?

Once your permanent residence is approved, you will receive your green card in the mail. You will be able to live and work in the United States permanently and travel in and out of the US. You may also apply for citizenship after three years if you meet the eligibility requirements.