F1 student and american citizen?

[BlondieBlondie 0]

Hello,

I have read some of the rules regarding when marrying a U.S. citizen but I still do not know exactly how do they apply to my situation.

I am in the States, studying. I have an F1 student visa approved for the next five years.

My american boyfriend has recently proposed to me and we wish to get married.

How does the whole process go? Do I lose my F1 visa? What forms do we have to fill in?

What happens if we decide to fly to Vegas one night, get married there. What happens afterward?

We don't want too much complications.

I don't know how much will this be of help but my country is a member of European Union. Do laws change in any way?

Please, help me out.

Thank you.

[payxibka 10,045]

moving from K-1 to Adjustment of status from work, student or tourist visa as this appears to be more appropriate for your situation.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

If you wish to remain a student you will need to keep up with your student obligations (full time enrollment etc). But once you are married your husband the USC will fill out the paperwork for you. You will adjust status from an F-1 student to a perminant resident (YAY - in state tuition).

As far as I know USCIS does not consider country of origin when processing applications. Good luck!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I have a friend that is in a similar situation -

He went to a lawyer and she suggested that they wait about 5 months (his girlfriend just arrived on a F-1) till they marry, then he will do a I-130 and I-485 at the same time.

(like candian_wife says - you will have to maintain your F-1 status by staying a student full time - whatever you do - don't let that slip)

She told him the wait is to allow time to go by, so there is no question about the "intent" of the F-1 being in question.

Seems alot of people come over on a non-K-1 visa with the "intent" to get married. (IE - lying)

She went on to tell him a story of a German guy who came to the US to marry his US girlfriend on a visitors visa.

They tried to put in a I-130 - and were denied and the guy was sent back to Germany and cannot come back for 3 years!

Edited December 30, 2008 by Bobby_S

[Lili 3]

I have a friend that is in a similar situation -

He went to a lawyer and she suggested that they wait about 5 months (his girlfriend just arrived on a F-1) till they marry, then he will do a I-130 and I-485 at the same time.

(like candian_wife says - you will have to maintain your F-1 status by staying a student full time - whatever you do - don't let that slip)

She told him the wait is to allow time to go by, so there is no question about the "intent" of the F-1 being in question.

Seems alot of people come over on a non-K-1 visa with the "intent" to get married. (IE - lying)

She went on to tell him a story of a German guy who came to the US to marry his US girlfriend on a visitors visa.

They tried to put in a I-130 - and were denied and the guy was sent back to Germany and cannot come back for 3 years!

People abuse the system. It is quite sad!