clueless & looking for answers!

[edalal 0]

My boyfriend, from Colombia, has overstayed his visa by about 6 months. Originally he planned to stay here for a few years to work and then return to his country. However, we've met, live together and want to stay together. I know nothing about laws except for what I've read online. I've read that if you stay for more than 6 months after your visa has expired then you can't return for 5 years. Do we have any options? Do we have to get married in order to stay here together?

[Otto 83]

Overstay of 180+ days can trigger a ban if he leaves and later attempts to return.

Marrying a US citizen can result in the overstay being forgiven but marrying to circumvent immigration laws is not something one should undertake without realizing there are certain risks (in other words, it's not a sure thing).

[Bobby+Umit 161]

. I've read that if you stay for more than 6 months after your visa has expired then you can't return for 5 years.

Overstay:

180 days but less than one year = 3 year ban

1 year + = 10 year ban.

Marriage, as pointed out above, will allow him to stay in the country and AOS (however, no travel should be done, even if an AP is given).

Other than trying to get another visa, either he marries you, or leaves.

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

Well, if you want to marry him, then you should do it and file to adjust his status. Otherwise, he will have to go back home and won't be allowed back for a period of time. In the meantime, if you do get married, he should not leave the US prior to adjusting his status. You would not be circumventing any immigration laws, if he did not intend to immigrate to the US on his last entry.