U.S. citizen with a Chinese girlfriend here on a work visa. Need help.

[Operator 1,927]

Needsinfo,

Welcome to the forum.

I would like to offer some advice based on my opinion only. Chinese culture is very different from the one you grew up in (I assume you grew up in the western world). It is an amazing and diverse culture but very different. Even in the short period of time that you have known this woman you've probably noticed some of these culture differences. I've been traveling to China for over 10 years and have known my wife since 2008 and I'm still trying to figure out how the Chinese mind thinks. It is a lot of fun!

So let me start with my opinion based advice. The immigration stuff will happen in due course, it's really not that difficult. Don't rush a relationship because you think it will make the process quicker. Don't start her immigration journey with an overstay and don't deprive yourselves of the courtship experience. Let her go back when her visa expires and then go to China and spend six months. Start to learn about the culture, eat real Chinese food, meet the family. Give her a romantic courtship that she will never forget.

If after all this and things are still awesome get married and file a petition to bring your wife to the US or...maybe you fall in love with the country as well and decide to stay there. Who knows?

She has stepped outside of her comfort zone to come here and work now you give it a try.

We waited 3 years to get married and I'm glad we didn't rush it. The dating part was a lot of fun! Don't get me wrong the married life is to but it's ok take your time.

Good luck whatever you decide to do. Remember to be patient with her, as she will be with you.

[LindaC1990 23]

I wonder what's OP's gf opinion. She wants to get married too? right now?

I am from China and I have to say I won't get married to somebody that my parents have never met.

So getting married after 2 months is a pretty bad idea and you both know the reason why your rushing into it.

But oh well, who am I to judge. If you want her so bad then just get married in a court tomorrow and file for AOS right away.

Here is the guide you need: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

You can message me if you have more question.

[NeedsInfo 0]

I'm a salary employee so I can't just take 6 months off of work to go to China. The most I could do is a 3 week vacation.

She's not opposed to getting married either. We both believe we're right for each other.

Here's some updated information. Her visa is a J1 that expires next June. The program she's in ends on September 15, after which she has a 30 day grace period. I don't think the two year rule is checked on her DS-2019 form. What are the consequences of overstaying this grace period while staying under 180 accrued out of status days? When will she start to accrue out of status days? Will it make getting a green card through marriage more difficult in the future?

[ceadsearc 516]

She starts accruing out of status days as soon as her grace period is over. It shouldn't make a spousal visa more difficult in the future so long as she 1) Doesn't hit 180 and 2) Doesn't get detained/deported. It will make it impossible for her to come back and visit, however.

[NeedsInfo 0]

She starts accruing out of status days as soon as her grace period is over. It shouldn't make a spousal visa more difficult in the future so long as she 1) Doesn't hit 180 and 2) Doesn't get detained/deported. It will make it impossible for her to come back and visit, however.

Thanks for the reply. Will the green card she receives be a temporary one or a permanent one? I've heard of people receiving temporary ones before getting their permanent green card.

[N M 96]

If the application for AOS is made before you have been married for two years, she will receive a conditional (2 year) Green Card.

Then within 90 days of the expiry of her 2 year GC, she'll apply for removal of conditions. If granted, she'll get a 10 year GC. More fees to pay, more forms to fill, but that's how it goes.

[NeedsInfo 0]

If the application for AOS is made before you have been married for two years, she will receive a conditional (2 year) Green Card.

Then within 90 days of the expiry of her 2 year GC, she'll apply for removal of conditions. If granted, she'll get a 10 year GC. More fees to pay, more forms to fill, but that's how it goes.

Would she be able to travel in and out of the country (e.g., our vacation) on the 2 year conditional green card?

[Asia 2,498]

Would she be able to travel in and out of the country (e.g., our vacation) on the 2 year conditional green card?

Yes, whe would.

As long as those vacation wouldn't be too long (like 7 monhts ).