having F-1 and just got married to a US citizen and will go abroad on a christian mission trip soon and AOS after coming back

[splendor 0]

I have F-1 visa and just got married to a US citizen on 4th of July. I've been in US for 4 yrs and will graduate with Ph.D. next year.

And I am going to travel outside US for a christian mission trip next week with my church students and teachers since I'm one of the teachers, which our church is doing every year.

I was going to apply for AOS right after my marriage, but decided to do that after being back from the trip since I was concerned that I might not be able to go on the mission trip outside US if I applied for it then.

Is it going to be all right that I apply for AOS after I come back from the trip? Or would there be any trouble? What do you think?

Edited July 15, 2008 by splendor

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

I have F-1 visa and just got married to a US citizen on 4th of July. I've been in US for 4 yrs and will graduate with Ph.D. next year.

And I am going to travel outside US for a christian mission trip next week with my church students and teachers since I'm one of the teachers, which our church is doing every year.

I was going to apply for AOS right after my marriage, but decided to do that after being back from the trip since I was concerned that I might not be able to go on the mission trip outside US if I applied for it then.

Is it going to be all right that I apply for AOS after I come back from the trip? Or would there be any trouble? What do you think?

Well, you have to think twice about this because once you intend to receive a new I-94 after getting married that itself is against USCIS policy. You will be using your student visa to re-enter the US fully aware on the intention to stay permanently NOT to study and stay temporarily. The only purpose of your F-1 is to enter the country to study and go back to your country of origin. I would think twice about going to that mission trip because on your way back you either will have to hide your intentions to stay or if you don't USCIS has the right to bar you from entering the country until you come back w/the proper visa, which is a foreign spouse visa. The mission trip can wait, your PR cannot.

Good luck on choosing the right path

Edited July 15, 2008 by GueraYTavo

[payxibka 10,045]

I have F-1 visa and just got married to a US citizen on 4th of July. I've been in US for 4 yrs and will graduate with Ph.D. next year.

And I am going to travel outside US for a christian mission trip next week with my church students and teachers since I'm one of the teachers, which our church is doing every year.

I was going to apply for AOS right after my marriage, but decided to do that after being back from the trip since I was concerned that I might not be able to go on the mission trip outside US if I applied for it then.

Is it going to be all right that I apply for AOS after I come back from the trip? Or would there be any trouble? What do you think?

F-1 is a non-immigrant visa that does not have "dual" intent. If you leave and re-enter on a non-immigrant visa with the intent to immigrate, that is a big no no.... You could be denied entry if the CBP officer suspects you will stay permanently. If you are allowed to enter, you could possibly have your AOS denied at interview (and you will be interviewed), if the IO suspects the same. You will be hard pressed to convince the IO that on your last entry (post marriage remind you) that you did not intend to stay permanently.