F1 withdrawal, don't know if AOS or C1 next

[zessha 0]

Hi all,

I'm currently on F1 visa, here in US since late 2008. I just withdrew from the classes this semester due to financial issues. I believe that my school's international student coordinator would be updating my SEVIS account later today which would basically make my F1 visa invalid.

My boyfriend asked for my hand of marriage to keep me here when I told him I may have to leave. We do love each other and were best friends even before we started dating. I met him in 2008 in school and became very close from 2010 on.

However I am not sure if it is better for us to get married, I go back home to Singapore, then apply for CR1 or would it be better for me to stay here and apply for an adjustment of status during the grace period. I don't know if it would work since he is also a student so he do not have enough income as sponsor. He worked 40hours a week while taking classes part time, but his current job is contract based and have a 100 days break where he is basically out of work until the 100 days is over and they rehire him. His mother is a stay at home mom and his dad runs a small shop in a tiny town so I am really not sure if their income level is sufficient to be able to qualify as co-sponsors.

I have friends who will be able to help me get a job if I can legally work here so honestly I am not very worried in terms of causing too much trouble for my sponsors.

Also considering that the timing of me withdrawing from the school and the time we may get married and file i-130 and i-485 how bad would the red flag be? The relationship is genuine so I believe that I will be able to answer the questions if I have the chance to go for the interview should i-130 application be approved.

We have boarding passes of when I visited his family for Christmas. He had not met my family yet as it is way more expensive for him to go visit. We don't have that many pictures together simply because we didn't care much about taking pictures. We stay in different apartments as well. His current lease on the 1 bedroom apartment which is too small for all our stuff ends in June so we hadn't moved together even though we've been talking about it.

I don't want to risk a 3~10years ban for overstaying. It would however be ideal if we don't have to be separated for 10 months while it process but if it is not approved we may be screwed for years to come. We are willing to be on a long distance relationship for a couple of years but more than that would be really hard to maintain.

I will be grateful for any advice on what our best move will be. Thank you!

Edited January 14, 2013 by zessha

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

You have been together a while, so that is good but yes, the not living together and getting married after your SEVIS is gone is a red flag. That being said, with a well qualified co-sponsor I think you have a good chance at getting AOS approved.

[zessha 0]

thanks penguin, I might be able to get a friend to sponsor. I feel bad asking friends to help for something that might legally bind them but it seems like I don't have many options.

I'm still sorting things out among all the parties who may be involved so hopefully things won't be as painful as we fear =\

[inqztve 42]

Hi all,

I'm currently on F1 visa, here in US since late 2008. I just withdrew from the classes this semester due to financial issues. I believe that my school's international student coordinator would be updating my SEVIS account later today which would basically make my F1 visa invalid.

My boyfriend asked for my hand of marriage to keep me here when I told him I may have to leave. We do love each other and were best friends even before we started dating. I met him in 2008 in school and became very close from 2010 on.

However I am not sure if it is better for us to get married, I go back home to Singapore, then apply for CR1 or would it be better for me to stay here and apply for an adjustment of status during the grace period. I don't know if it would work since he is also a student so he do not have enough income as sponsor. He worked 40hours a week while taking classes part time, but his current job is contract based and have a 100 days break where he is basically out of work until the 100 days is over and they rehire him. His mother is a stay at home mom and his dad runs a small shop in a tiny town so I am really not sure if their income level is sufficient to be able to qualify as co-sponsors.

I have friends who will be able to help me get a job if I can legally work here so honestly I am not very worried in terms of causing too much trouble for my sponsors.

Also considering that the timing of me withdrawing from the school and the time we may get married and file i-130 and i-485 how bad would the red flag be? The relationship is genuine so I believe that I will be able to answer the questions if I have the chance to go for the interview should i-130 application be approved.

We have boarding passes of when I visited his family for Christmas. He had not met my family yet as it is way more expensive for him to go visit. We don't have that many pictures together simply because we didn't care much about taking pictures. We stay in different apartments as well. His current lease on the 1 bedroom apartment which is too small for all our stuff ends in June so we hadn't moved together even though we've been talking about it.

I don't want to risk a 3~10years ban for overstaying. It would however be ideal if we don't have to be separated for 10 months while it process but if it is not approved we may be screwed for years to come. We are willing to be on a long distance relationship for a couple of years but more than that would be really hard to maintain.

I will be grateful for any advice on what our best move will be. Thank you!

Did you consider going back for a bit and have your b/f sponsor your fiance visa later?

[zessha 0]

Did you consider going back for a bit and have your b/f sponsor your fiance visa later?

Actually that might be exactly what we might be doing. Applying for K1 after I get back would look less sketchy to the immigrations than marrying during the grace period for me to pack up and leave and try to get AOS

It would probably make my family happy that I am back for chinese new year and my birthday too.

The only hard part is getting the sponsor since my boyfriend is still in college and the friend I was talking to to help sign the affidavit of support had only met my boyfriend 3 times. Hopefully next year he would be able to find a job right after he graduate and we won't have to bother friends and family.

Edited January 16, 2013 by zessha

[inqztve 42]

Actually that might be exactly what we might be doing. Applying for K1 after I get back would look less sketchy to the immigrations than marrying during the grace period for me to pack up and leave and try to get AOS

It would probably make my family happy that I am back for chinese new year and my birthday too.

The only hard part is getting the sponsor since my boyfriend is still in college and the friend I was talking to to help sign the affidavit of support had only met my boyfriend 3 times. Hopefully next year he would be able to find a job right after he graduate and we won't have to bother friends and family.

Don't worry. As long as your (future) marriage is bona fide, it will work out just great. You may just have to spend a few days without him. It's small price to pay for the rest of your life together.

Edited January 16, 2013 by inqztve

[Darnell 8,479]

you'll have the same issues with income level on the I-864, regardless if Adjustment of Status or Visa Chasing,

so, do what makes sense, from a time and money standpoint, aye?

If worst case scenario - you go back home to Singapura - well, there's always hokkien mee and curry laksa to keep you entertained during the wait. Also the National Library is the shiznit !

[zessha 0]

you'll have the same issues with income level on the I-864, regardless if Adjustment of Status or Visa Chasing,

so, do what makes sense, from a time and money standpoint, aye?

If worst case scenario - you go back home to Singapura - well, there's always hokkien mee and curry laksa to keep you entertained during the wait. Also the National Library is the shiznit !

From money standpoint it is probably best that I go back and wait for him to graduate and get a solid job so he can be a sponsor alone. He is graduating 2 years later than most our friends since he is taking part time classes and full time work(when the contract is on... if not 12.50/hr would be above the 125% poverty line for 2) so we do have a lot of friends in the industry who can help get him a job once he grad. I know for sure I can help him get internship even if I am back home since I know people who runs their own game companies here.

hahaha I am trying to convince my boyfriend to give Singapore a try sometime. While my parents gave their blessings even before they meet him I think it is only right for him to meet my supportive family. If he do visit it will be during July when it is peak of durian season(I want to see his expression and I do loooooove durians) and Singapore food festival!

I've cooked chicken rice, curry, laksa, ondeh ondeh etc for him so I know he is hooked food wise

Going to give him my chicken rice recipe until I get back since that is pretty much his favorite dish now .___.

Edited January 16, 2013 by zessha

[Darnell 8,479]

i have nice twist for chicken rice, easy for single males with no one watching them

buy electric plastic steamer machine

steam the chicken with orange and lime and cilantro, collect the broth in the bottom.

make the rice with the broth, cut chicken as you wish.

so easy, meh

---

I worked in Singapura for a year, became a foodie. Fish-head curry, also can

Edited January 16, 2013 by Darnell

[zessha 0]

i have nice twist for chicken rice, easy for single males with no one watching them

buy electric plastic steamer machine

steam the chicken with orange and lime and cilantro, collect the broth in the bottom.

make the rice with the broth, cut chicken as you wish.

so easy, meh

---

I worked in Singapura for a year, became a foodie. Fish-head curry, also can

haha I have a big old school metal steamer that I am leaving at his place when I go home

Never tried with orange! I'll suggest that to him!

[Darnell 8,479]

that's so hard, la ! we guys are dumb! he'll probably heat it dry, 2nd attempt...

[zessha 0]

haha he never did much steaming but is a pretty decent cook otherwise

At least the thanksgiving dinner and corned beef hash he made were good

[Darnell 8,479]

your old metal steamer takes special skills, la