Getting married, Getting Visa

[CatChaseGnome 0]

So my girlfriend came to visit me here in America and we had not planned on marrying but now that is the way things are going. I even got her an engagement ring. I want to get married ASAP so we can begin the process of getting her residency so she can work, but I have absolutely no idea what to do.

I am told there is a chance it will be called fraudulent or something. She has been here about 6 weeks so far. Her visitors visa is valid til November. She came to visit for a couple weeks in February, but went back to Korea to get a Canadian work visa, as her plan had always been to move to Canada to work. However, when she came back, I convinced her to come stay with me one more time and blablabla now we are engaged and I do not want to be separated again. I want to march down to the court today and get the marriage license and apply for residency for her this week, but I am afraid the big bad evil government will have its way with me.

My mind is so filled with nonsense right now I don't know if I have stated my case coherently, but basically I need help. What should I do?

[Inky 1,111]

Not a K-3 visa topic or filing. Moving to Adjustment of status from work student tourist.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It sounds like when she last entered the US she had plans to move to Canada, and those plans changed. That is fine. You ill get a chance to explain your story at your mandatory joint interview. Have you found the guide up top for spouse inside the US? Follow that. Good luck!

Oh, and a K9 is a dog not a visa

Edited June 11, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[sib 7]

You will need to explain the situation during the interview but she did not plan on getting married visiting you, so you will be fine.

Read the guides, you will need to file I-130, I-485, Travel Authorization and EAD (Employment Card) all together. She can not leave US until she gets Travel Authorization. EAD card will allow her to work. It will take 3-4 month to get these documents. She then needs to apply for Social Security number and can start working.

You will need the marriage certificate to start the process.

It is written in the guides, just follow them. You will need to fill out some paperwork, you can start getting used to the forms right now!

The other possibility would be to get married, she starts her job in Canada and you file for CR1. She will have to move to Canada though and you would be seperated. The process is similar, but the interview would be in Canada for her.

Again, read the guides!

Wishing you luck.

Sib