J-1 Visa marriage?

[ayla_42 39]

I am currenly in the states on my J-1 visa wich expires on october the 24. I have a 2 year waiver for my home country (the Netherland)

I want to stay in the states. I have a boyfriend in the states who i plan on marrying next year. Is there any way for me to stay in the states in the meantime? If we get engaged, or maybe something else? What are my options?

Thank you!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can stay if you get married and apply for an Adjustment of Status. If you don't do that, then you can't stay.

[jenni17 36]

I am currenly in the states on my J-1 visa wich expires on october the 24. I have a 2 year waiver for my home country (the Netherland)

I want to stay in the states. I have a boyfriend in the states who i plan on marrying next year. Is there any way for me to stay in the states in the meantime? If we get engaged, or maybe something else? What are my options?

Thank you!

Being engaged to a USC will not allow you to stay legally in the US beyond the expiration of your J1. If upon your entry to the US, marriage was not an intention (which I gather from your post that it was not) you could get married and file for AOS which would allow you to stay past the expiration of your J-1. If you are set on getting married next year and want to remain in the US, then you would need to find an employer who will sponsor you for a work visa.

Another option would be to leave and file for the K-1 fiance visa in order to return to the US to get married once the visa is granted. If you have a tourist visa you can return to visit while the K-1 is being processed.

Edited July 2, 2013 by jenni17