TN Visa and Marriage

[rhinestone 0]

Hello, I've been reading through the posts and have not seen anything that reflects my question. Here it goes - I'm a Canadian who met/dated someone back in 2001 when I was working in South Carolina (I had a tn visa). We went our separate ways and didn't talk for a number of years. I returned to Canada for 5 years. While in Canada, I became reacquainted with this person (last November), and traveled to Tennessee to see him. We've stayed in touch since then. I then got a job in Florida with another TN visa, and have been here since April. He has recently proposed to me and I accepted. So, here are my questions:

1) Can I continue to work for my employer in Florida if they agree to let me work from Tennessee? Do I need to reside full-time in TN after I'm married?

2) What's the best route to take in regards to filing forms? I've read a lot about the risk of marrying while on a TN Visa. Does the fact that we're in two totally different states help our situation?

3) Can anyone recommend a lawyer in Orlando?

Thanks!

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

Hello, I've been reading through the posts and have not seen anything that reflects my question. Here it goes - I'm a Canadian who met/dated someone back in 2001 when I was working in South Carolina (I had a tn visa). We went our separate ways and didn't talk for a number of years. I returned to Canada for 5 years. While in Canada, I became reacquainted with this person (last November), and traveled to Tennessee to see him. We've stayed in touch since then. I then got a job in Florida with another TN visa, and have been here since April. He has recently proposed to me and I accepted. So, here are my questions:

1) Can I continue to work for my employer in Florida if they agree to let me work from Tennessee? Do I need to reside full-time in TN after I'm married?

2) What's the best route to take in regards to filing forms? I've read a lot about the risk of marrying while on a TN Visa. Does the fact that we're in two totally different states help our situation?

3) Can anyone recommend a lawyer in Orlando?

Thanks!

What's aTN visa.......?

[fiestagirl 7]

Hello, I've been reading through the posts and have not seen anything that reflects my question. Here it goes - I'm a Canadian who met/dated someone back in 2001 when I was working in South Carolina (I had a tn visa). We went our separate ways and didn't talk for a number of years. I returned to Canada for 5 years. While in Canada, I became reacquainted with this person (last November), and traveled to Tennessee to see him. We've stayed in touch since then. I then got a job in Florida with another TN visa, and have been here since April. He has recently proposed to me and I accepted. So, here are my questions:

1) Can I continue to work for my employer in Florida if they agree to let me work from Tennessee? Do I need to reside full-time in TN after I'm married?

Yes you can still work for your employer that is sponsoring you for the TN. Once you marry and apply for an EAD (employment authorization doc) then you can work for anyone you want to.

2) What's the best route to take in regards to filing forms? I've read a lot about the risk of marrying while on a TN Visa. Does the fact that we're in two totally different states help our situation?

I've also heard a lot about the "risk". I just adjusted from 2 years on a TN to a GC. Our intent was to immigrate back to Canada so a TN was perfect for me. It wasn't until I got pregnant that we thought I should adjust status in case I didn't go back to work. I entered the country with my husband on my TN and was never hassled. Of course, you will hear horror stories. If your intent was not to immigrate when you got your TN, then you haven't do ne anything wrong. If your intent is now to stay in the U.S. then your best route is to adjust status once you are married. Just you can't leave the U.S. once you apply to adjust status until you either get AP or your GC. And definitely do not lie to a border guard if you do leave and try to re-enter. Usually a TN entry is pretty easy though.

Why would being in 2 different states help your situation?

3) Can anyone recommend a lawyer in Orlando?

Why hire a lawyer? You can do it yourself.

Thanks!

[CR6 0]

1.do not try to renew TN after you file AOS

2.do not leave country before you get AP

3.apply for EAD when you file AOS

Edited September 1, 2010 by CR6

[leash5 3]

Hello, I've been reading through the posts and have not seen anything that reflects my question. Here it goes - I'm a Canadian who met/dated someone back in 2001 when I was working in South Carolina (I had a tn visa). We went our separate ways and didn't talk for a number of years. I returned to Canada for 5 years. While in Canada, I became reacquainted with this person (last November), and traveled to Tennessee to see him. We've stayed in touch since then. I then got a job in Florida with another TN visa, and have been here since April. He has recently proposed to me and I accepted. So, here are my questions:

1) Can I continue to work for my employer in Florida if they agree to let me work from Tennessee? Do I need to reside full-time in TN after I'm married?

2) What's the best route to take in regards to filing forms? I've read a lot about the risk of marrying while on a TN Visa. Does the fact that we're in two totally different states help our situation?

3) Can anyone recommend a lawyer in Orlando?

Thanks!

I am adjusting from a TN and my interview is on the 21st. If you remember to write me, I can tell you if anything comes up about it! (I am a little worried).

You definitely do not need a lawyer to file though. The papers are simple and there's nothing specific to the TN besides what your status was one your last entry.

[rhinestone 0]

Thanks for your advice! It's always interesting and enlightening to hear how others are going about the process. In regards to my initial post, I had mentioned that by me living in Florida, and my fiance living in Tennessee, that this may help my situation. I had mentioned that because it might show that I had no intention to marry this particular individual when I entered the US on a TN Visa. I don't know - maybe I'm a little backward in my thinking! To fiestagirl, good luck with your interview, and let's stay in touch. I'm sure things will go seamlessly for you. Bye for now.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Thanks for your advice! It's always interesting and enlightening to hear how others are going about the process. In regards to my initial post, I had mentioned that by me living in Florida, and my fiance living in Tennessee, that this may help my situation. I had mentioned that because it might show that I had no intention to marry this particular individual when I entered the US on a TN Visa. I don't know - maybe I'm a little backward in my thinking! To fiestagirl, good luck with your interview, and let's stay in touch. I'm sure things will go seamlessly for you. Bye for now.

Intent to marry is not an issue. As long as you did not have intent to immigrate and remain in the USA at the time you entered on Tn status you are OK.

The visa journey guide for marriage in the USA works very well for those of us who adjusted status from Tn.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Also PHIL80 wrote a good summary not long ago with some information more specifically related to Tn-AOS .

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/212749-from-tn-status-to-green-card/

Good luck