Au-pair on J-1 visa wants to get marry

[Yeetkah 0]

Hello, I am already 6 month in US on Au-pair J-1 visa. I would like to get marry as soon as it is possible with my boyfriend (American). My question is how to quit my au-pair job (I really don't know if my agency can make any problems to me.) and what it means for me? (I expect I will lose my J-1 visa status, but what else?) Have you ever been in similar situation? Thanks for resposes P.S.: NO Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement

[Little_My 464]

You get married and file for AOS, i.e. adjustment of status from J1 to permanent resident (greencard holder). Here is a very good guide for that process: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Once you have filed the paperwork, you will no longer be under the J1 status and therefore no longer bound by the J1 requirements and rules. Your agency won't have anything to do with the AOS process.

[Yeetkah 0]

You get married and file for AOS, i.e. adjustment of status from J1 to permanent resident (greencard holder). Here is a very good guide for that process: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Once you have filed the paperwork, you will no longer be under the J1 status and therefore no longer bound by the J1 requirements and rules. Your agency won't have anything to do with the AOS process.

Thanks a lot, Lady :-)

[grrrrreat 109]

Thanks a lot, Lady :-)

File I-765 along with your I-485. When you get the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in the mail a couple months later, you can work at whatever job you want. Until then, you won't be able to work except for your J-1 job.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

Yeah. I would not tell your agency until you got the EAD. Then you are free to switch jobs if you want (or tell them you got an EAD now).

[Yeetkah 0]

Yeah. I would not tell your agency until you got the EAD. Then you are free to switch jobs if you want (or tell them you got an EAD now).

Hi But as an aupair I have to live in host familys house, so when Ill get marry, Ill move to house with my (future) husband, so they will know... you think it could be problem?

[grrrrreat 109]

Hi But as an aupair I have to live in host familys house, so when Ill get marry, Ill move to house with my (future) husband, so they will know... you think it could be problem?

I suppose if part of your job is living there full time, and you don't want to do that anymore, they may not want you to work for them anymore. You won't be able to get a new job until you receive the EAD, since the au pair visa does not allow you to take other jobs. Technically if you lose your job, you could be out of status on your visa, but if you file the application for adjustment of status as soon as possible it shouldn't be a problem. As someone said above, as soon as you apply for adjustment of status you are legally present here even if you aren't working the J-1 job.

You could always get married, file for adjustment of status, and continue living with them until you receive the EAD.

Edited April 26, 2012 by grrrrreat