F-1, getting married, still in school, take a trimester off

[jc2btheone 0]

So, I'm on F-1 visa and getting married soon. But bcuz of our finances situation is not 100% ready for wedding + reception + school + apply for green card at the same time. I just switch to a new school to MBA program and starting my first trimester this fall. I really want to finish the MBA proram but I need to take 1-2 trimesters off to save up money for the wedding and to be able to take care of my family from Thailand when they come to celebrate with us next year. In order to take a quarter off for international students, I need certain of consecutive trimesters to be able to take a quarter offSo, we plan to get married and sign the marriage license soon.

The question is, am I eligible to take the 2 trimester of my school off after I sign the marriage license and get married....since I assume that I won't be an international student anymore after the marriage?

If any of you know, please reply me. Thanks!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Getting married doesn't change you status in the US. You must file the paperwork for your AOS - then your status becomes in limbo.

Taking time off of school? This is a question for your DSO

Good luck

[Harsh_77 718]

Nope just by signing your marriage lic, you are not a perm ressidence yet. By dropping semester you will be out of status, you can only drop your semster without affecting your legal immigration status once you have filled paper work with USCIS and completed your AOS.

You can check with your int advisor at school, but dont think they will let you do that unless they got some trick up their sleeve and help u with it.

[Darnell 8,478]

if yer here on a student visa, you have limitations on what you can do for work.

strongly suggest you have face to face meeting with yer DSO and go over those work limitations.

'saving up' is one thing, but if you have no 'income from work', I see a Venn Diagram without any touching edges, anywhere.

[jc2btheone 0]

Thank you for your replies everyone!! Yeah....I figured that I should take it easy and follow step by step....won't get myself in trouble. My family and I have business back home and I receive money monthly here. So, instead of paying $5,000 for school. I'd save up for things that I'll need in the near future. I just discussed my case with my advisor at the university about my case....I should work out ok....

[Miri & Chris 0]

What did he tell you? I'm in a similar situation and desperately need help!

My husband and I got married on August 14th but because we were so caught up in the wedding plans I figured I'd apply for my transfer-school next spring to allow me some time. My advisor called me today because she noticed, that I haven't registered yet. She explained to me, that she has to terminate my status if I don't sign up by tomorrow. Since I don't really need any credits at my community college anymore I didn't feel like spending money just to keep my student status.

Would it be safer though? Can they send me home once the immigration office sees that I'm not registered at any college?

My husband and I are just starting our green-card application process for me now.

Help!

Miri

[canadian_wife 1,822]

If you fall out of status with your F-1 and have not filed any paperwork for your adjustment, you may no longer have status in the US and could be subject to investigation or deportation.

Just be aware

Did you have D/S stamped in your passport when you entered?

good luck

[jc2btheone 0]

Miri,

Just to be safe. I would highly recommend you to maintain your F-1 status. My advisor told me the same thing like what you advisor did. Well, but I also know many cases that might work out as well, a lot higher risk though. The chance is, if you lost your F-1 status to get married and the Immigration know, they might deny your green card application. That's just something to think about. I thought it over and I registered for my classes for my first trimester for MBA program (in my case, I always want to finish this program anyway).

One case that I know, one of my friends who just got married as well, she lost her status and now applying for her green card. But she told me that it's OK because her application is in process. (I don't guarantee you if it's true)

Another case that I heard, she lost her status (J-1), got married, now she got green card. (Again, I'm sure not all cases are like this)

So, it's really up to know if you want to make it right or take a risk. Good luck!!

Josie

[Miri & Chris 0]

Thank you for all your advise!

I just signed up for classes now, just because I don't wanna take the risk. It's lost money, because I finished my Associate's at the College already and cannot earn anymore credits that would help me when I continue my studies at a four-year school, but I don't want to take the chance, even if it's just so little.

I asked a lawyer we hired and she said that it should be okay to go out of status for a little while, many cases get by. BUT (of course there's a but) she cannot cancel the possiblity of them finding out and sending me home out. -- Therefore I'm back at school for this semester.

I really appreciate the many answers!

Miri

What's the D/S stamp?