Marriage-Based Green Card Application: Sharon and Agapito’s Journey
[Please note: The Client’s name and case key details may have been altered to preserve the identity of the client. This Success Story about Marriage-based green card application is not intended to be an offer of service or case plan. Every case is unique. The Success Story is presented for information purposes only.]
From late 2018 to early 2021, the [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″] team in Cleveland worked with Sharon, a native Clevelander, and Agapito, her fiancé and later husband from the Philippines.
Sharon, a college professor, met Agapito, a software design engineer, during her sabbatical in Manila. They fell in love and, since they were in their late thirties, wanted to marry and start a family quickly. Therefore, after careful discussion, they decided Agapito would immigrate to the United States so Sharon could keep her tenure at a respected Northeast Ohio institution.
Preparing for Immigration
Consequently, Sharon, aware of strict immigration policies and concerned about possible political changes, wanted everything done correctly. As a result, upon returning to the U.S., she contacted Ms. [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″], whom she had met at social events in Cuyahoga County.
Our team immediately began the process by securing a K-1 visa for Agapito. This visa allows the fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the country, provided the couple marries within 90 days. Afterward, we planned to file Agapito’s marriage-based green card application.
Filing the Petition
Fortunately, Sharon and Agapito were highly cooperative, providing all required documents. Thus, we filed the I-129F petition by January 2019, warning them about possible delays due to backlogs. The petition was approved by USCIS in July and forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Manila.
Interview and Visa Approval
Agapito’s medical exam required additional testing, delaying his interview until December. However, the extra time allowed him to prepare thoroughly. When the interview finally occurred, he completed it in under 45 minutes. By early January 2020, his K-1 visa was approved. Sharon greeted him joyfully at Cleveland-Hopkins Airport with friends holding welcome signs.
Marriage and Next Steps
Before the pandemic, Sharon and Agapito married at her parents’ home in Avon Lake, Ohio. Soon afterward, we filed Agapito’s marriage-based green card application, which included:
- I-485 (Application for Permanent Residency)
- I-765 (Employment Authorization)
- I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
Sharon agreed to support Agapito financially, though he already had several lucrative job offers.
Green Card Approval
In January 2021, Sharon and Agapito attended Agapito’s USCIS interview. To their relief, his two-year marriage-based green card was approved immediately. Finally, we scheduled a follow-up for his permanent green card application in 18 months.
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