Looking for some advice

[ndbbm 0]

First of all, let me say, you have a great site here and I'm thankful for all the wonderful knowledge i've learned reading up.

I have what I consider to be a unique situation. I might find out that it is not at all. I'm a United States citizen and my girlfriend is from SK, Canada. She is currently living and working in Canada. I am living and working in Pennsylvania. We have known one another for a couple years, but only met and started dating in June of 2008. We think we have a good thing. We love one another. But being a bit older and more mature, we're not ones to rush into anything.

We want to spend more time together. We want to be sure what we have is real. So, the first thing we said was, how can that happen? Work visa! That turned out to be impossible as Barb does not have a 4 year degree. So, she pondered this and said that she really would like to go to college and achieve a degree. Something she always wanted to do.

So, she got a letter of acceptance from the local college here and plans to attend school, starting in August 2009. For her paperwork and what not, we clearly stated she would be staying with me. So, in this aspect, we are getting two things. She's working on that degree she always wanted and we will be feeling each other out to know if marriage is right for us.

If at some point during her 4 years of college, we do decide it is right and we do get married, is this ok? I certainly don't want to do anything illegal or anything that would jeopardize our future, should we both agree we want one together. Any and all advice is appreciated greatly and thanks again to you all!

-Scott

[payxibka 10,047]

The simple act of getting married (even on a student visa) is not an illegal act...

[KGSodie 0]

I'm gonna channel pshbrk here and say it all comes down to intent. Since her intent it to go to school, and the two of you see how things go, I don't think there would be an issue. It's not like she arriving with her wedding dress in the suitcase. That said, with the student visa showing she's living with you it may raise an eyebrow or two down the road, but I don't think it would be a serious challenge.

[ndbbm 0]

My concern was that it might be perceived, by the powers that be, that we did this to speed up a process or to circumvent a K1 visa. This is totally not the case, but I would hate to make an error that could effect us in the long run.

We simply could not figure out a way to spend time together on a long term basis to build a relationship without jumping into marriage. The fact that she wants to attain a 4 year degree gave us this opportunity. In all probability, we will get married one day. That could be years away though.

[jhunjhun 7]

First of all, let me say, you have a great site here and I'm thankful for all the wonderful knowledge i've learned reading up.

I have what I consider to be a unique situation. I might find out that it is not at all. I'm a United States citizen and my girlfriend is from SK, Canada. She is currently living and working in Canada. I am living and working in Pennsylvania. We have known one another for a couple years, but only met and started dating in June of 2008. We think we have a good thing. We love one another. But being a bit older and more mature, we're not ones to rush into anything.

We want to spend more time together. We want to be sure what we have is real. So, the first thing we said was, how can that happen? Work visa! That turned out to be impossible as Barb does not have a 4 year degree. So, she pondered this and said that she really would like to go to college and achieve a degree. Something she always wanted to do.

So, she got a letter of acceptance from the local college here and plans to attend school, starting in August 2009. For her paperwork and what not, we clearly stated she would be staying with me. So, in this aspect, we are getting two things. She's working on that degree she always wanted and we will be feeling each other out to know if marriage is right for us.

If at some point during her 4 years of college, we do decide it is right and we do get married, is this ok? I certainly don't want to do anything illegal or anything that would jeopardize our future, should we both agree we want one together. Any and all advice is appreciated greatly and thanks again to you all!

-Scott

Sorry I don't have answers to your question but anyways, which part of Saskatchewan is your wife currently living? i'm from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

[KimandRuss 0]

But being a bit older and more mature, we're not ones to rush into anything.

I think you answered your own question... you are not yet ready for marriage and you're going to see how it goes. So, she is not entering the U.S. with the intent on staying. She is entering for her education and to spend time with you... if you decide while she's here that marriage has become an option for you then you can marry and adjust status.

The way I see it becoming a problem is if she leaves and then crosses the border again WITH THE INTENT OF STAYING.

It's good you tried another route and didn't rush into something neither of you are ready for just for the sake of being together. Best of luck to you.

[ndbbm 0]

Sorry I don't have answers to your question but anyways, which part of Saskatchewan is your wife currently living? i'm from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Hello! Barb is from Regina. She has quite a few friend up in Saskatoon though.

[Jesse and Hema 2]

My concern was that it might be perceived, by the powers that be, that we did this to speed up a process or to circumvent a K1 visa. This is totally not the case, but I would hate to make an error that could effect us in the long run.

We simply could not figure out a way to spend time together on a long term basis to build a relationship without jumping into marriage. The fact that she wants to attain a 4 year degree gave us this opportunity. In all probability, we will get married one day. That could be years away though.

Your concern is valid. It really does come down to "intent", as others have stated. Also, as others have pointed out, she's not exactly entering with intent to immigrate (and stay). It might get your case looked at a little more closely, but the longer you wait, the lower the odds. For instance, if she's here for 3 years before the wedding, it could easily be assumed that the marriage plans weren't in place before the entry.

Good luck to you and your relationship