I am writing an essay for school on this subject, and if anybody knows firsthand the process it would be a wondeful help to me. I also want to know for personal reasons. I have a dear friend who would like to go through and complete this process. I will appreciate anyone's expert opinion or personal experiences. Thank you!

One cannot become US citizen without being a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or known as green card holder first..

There are different ways to become LPR...
1. Family Based: One of your parents or your spouse is US citizen.
2. Employment Based: You work for US employer for a certain period.
3. Asylum
4. Diversity Visa Lotto or known as green card lottery.

For further details go to USCIS Home Page

I'm sorry to pick your brain, but my gilfriend has been married to an arabic guy for over three years and they still will not give him a green card. Do you know why that would be? Also, how long would they have to work for US employer before eligible for a green card?

So are parents and spouses the only family that would be able to sponsor them? Not brothers?

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Originally Posted by taxclass2008

So are parents and spouses the only family that would be able to sponsor them? Not brothers?

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If petitioner is a US citizen, he/she can petition immigrant visa for brothers/sisters as well if the petitioner has sufficient income and meet other requirements to sponsor them, BUT brothers/sisters group are the 4th group which means it will take approx 10-12 years in some countries and 20-25 years in countries with backlog such as China or the Philippines.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by taxclass2008

I'm sorry to pick your brain, but my gilfriend has been married to an arabic guy for over three years and they still will not give him a greencard. Do you know why that would be? Also, how long would they have to work for US employer before eligible for a greencard?

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Is your friend a US citizen?
What country did he come from? Citizens from certain countries are put on hold even they married to US citizen, i.e. Iran, Jordan, etc.
Did she file the petition for him? Getting married to a US citizen does not automatically give him legal status. The US citizen spouse must file a petition for immigrant visa for him.

Yes she is a US Citizen. He is from Jordan, and I'm 99% sure that she filed a petition for him. I know they've met with Immigration several times. Supposedly she's been interigated by them saying that her husband only married her to become a citizen, but I know differently.