F1 student awaiting OPT EAD - would like to marry long-term serious US boyfriend

[twinklemegr 0]

Hello all,

I am currently awaiting approval of my post-completion OPT for Masters degree. My US-citizen boyfriend and I have been dating for almost 3 years now, and are talking about getting married in the next year.

Once I complete my OPT next year I hope to enroll in a second masters degree.

Some possible questions I have for which I would sincerely appreciate any words of wisdom:

1. I plan to apply for the second masters degree for Fall 2014 enrollment. Is it best to get married before I start school or soon after I start school? In terms of Adjustment of Status (AOS), what would be the most wise option?

2. If I get an assistantship (which I'm really hoping to get!) and I apply for AOS, would the assistantship be affected by the "Green Card" process?

3. At what point should I inform the Center for International Studies/DSO about being married to a US-citizen? Should I wait to get married until after my SEVIS record in transferred from the current OPT institution to the prospective institution?

4. I will not qualify to apply for OPT after the second masters degree. Assuming I have my EAD to work "off-campus" by the time I graduate, can I work in any job (i.e. Walmart or Retail) as soon as I finish my degree, or do I still have to apply for only jobs in my major area of study?

5. General question to those of you who've gone through the process (F1 to Green Card via spouse): How long did it take for you to receive the Green Card from the date you sent in the paperwork i.e. I-130,I-485, etc.? Do I need to wait until I receive the Green Card to start working in ANY job, or would the EAD be sufficient?

My current DSO is prejudiced against F1-students seeking Green Card via marriage. I did the mistake of mentioning that I have a US boyfriend in a casual conversation, and I feel like she's watching my every move now! I really don't know what sites to trust for accurate information, and don't have much of anyone of my own to help in this situation. I would sincerely appreciate your words of wisdom.