Can my wife get US Citizenship in Guam?

Question

A friend said that my Filipino wife can get American Citizenship by applying in Guam - no need to go to the US. If so what is the procedure? I am a US Citizen living in Leyte on a 13a Visa.

Answer 1

Let me clarify certain statements that are unclear. An alien CANNOT apply for US citizenship. They first have to be a legal permanent resident (in the US) for 5 years or 3 years IF married to a US citizen before they will even QUALIFY to apply for naturalization.



The US citizen spouse has to petition their spouse FIRST via K-3 (non-immigrant visa to be adjusted when in the US) or CR-1 (if married for less than 2 years when petition is filed) or IR-1 (if married longer).



I believe that living in Guam (as supposed to the mainland) will satisfy the residency requirement needed by the legal immigrant spouse to qualify for naturalization.



Here is a link for the procedure for petitioning your spouse. http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1315.html



Have a great weekend!

Answer 2

For additional clarification, GUAM is not part of the United States but one of the territories of the United States just like Puerto Rico and American Samoa. As such, citizens of these territories are called nationals and not U.S. Citizens. As far as I can remember, the main difference between a national and a citizen is the privilege to vote during the Presidential elections. There may be others that I failed to mention.



Basing on your information that you are a U.S. Citizen, your spouse can avail of the K-3 visa by filing at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. K visas are not subject to the quota system but the length of approval is dependent with the accuracy and completeness of the documentations required by the embassy which coordinates with Department of Homeland Security.



If your spouse's petition is approved, your spouse will become a Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) on a conditional status for two years and will be adjusted to permanent resident after the succeeding interview from the immigration officer and satisfying that the marriage is valid and not for convenience. Your spouse will be given work permit authorization upon approval of the Permanent Resident even while on a Conditional Status. I have added a link for a complete description of the K-3 visa.



http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/template.PRINT/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=254a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=254a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD



After completing the five years as Permanent Resident, your spouse is eligible to adjust her status to become a U.S. Citizen.



If you were a Guamanian citizen (national) your wife will eventually become a Guamanian national as well. Your 13a visa is referencing to the Philippine Permanent Resident Visa category. If you have additional inquiries, check with an reputable immigration lawyer.



Cheers

Answer 3

One correction to an earlier statement that is blatantly wrong about Guam not being apart of the United States. Guam IS a part of the U.S., and its people are US citizens by birth.

Answer 4

Yes, Guam belongs to the country of the United States. I believe you may or may not have to live there for 5 years before you can apply, i would assume its the same as the rest of the states, but you'll have to call somone or look it up on the internet

Answer 5

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Answer 6

us citizen marrying foreign citizen in Guam