Marriage Question

[Paul Hanaki 72]

Personally I assume when you get the student visa is when they consider your intentions since you can come and go indefinitely on the F1 but this I can honestly say I'm not sure of, she'll need more professional advice on this.

I am not sure if it is the same for everyone but they asked my wife at POE if she was planning on staying in the US after her education. We were not dating at the time but if she were engaged and answered no then that would be fraud. If she answered yes and said she was engaged they wouldn't let her into the country. She didn't leave at all while we were engaged. I guess it is all in what you are asked at the border crossing.

[Heliosphan 1]

More than a time crunch.... You have a possible "train wreck" on the horizon.

That was helpful.

Hi Chettana. Welcome to VJ. I am going to move you over to the Canada Forum in hopes that someone with experience on this situation will see it.

Yes it was helpful because the intent was to express that she needs to take her situation VERY seriously and even consider resources BEYOND VJ.

This is helpful, your original comment was patronizing.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Hi!

I need some guidance and someone directed me to this forum. I am a Canadian living at the Detroit/Windsor crossing and currently commute back and forth as an F-1 Student. I am currently on OPT and have a full-time job in the U.S. I recently got engaged to an American citizen and we would like to be legally married on 8/8/08. Since we're in a bit of a time crunch, we really need to get the process rolling. My fiance wants to hire a lawyer to do all the work, but a lot of people are telling me that we don't need one. Here are some of my concerns:

Since I'm currently on OPT (doesn't expire until January of 2009), will I need to stop working during any of this process?

What visa should I be applying for?

What are the typical costs for an immigration lawyer?

Considering the process timing, will it be possible to sign marriage papers on the date that I want?

Please help! Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Elise

Dont mind the time wreck comment, that's non-sense. That's the reason the mod created this forum, to avoid people that know zero about this topic to screw things up.

About your questions, (I was also on OPT back in Oct 2007 when we got married)

1. You dont have to apply for any visa, you have to apply for adjustment of status, aka green card (permanent residence)

2. The cost are diverse, range from less than 1000 bucks to 2000 3000 depending on the lawyer

3. This question I don't understand, you first need to get married before you apply for your green card, you don't have to get any special permit nor approval to get married. You will need your marriage certificate to start your process.

Remember once you file for adjustment of status, you WONT be able to go back to Canada, at least until you get your Advance Parole (special permit you apply for along with the green card). If you exit the US, this means that you have abandoned the process.

Edited June 11, 2008 by GueraYTavo

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Just follow the steps below to apply for the green card:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2