Totally New To This!

[BLESSED6 0]

I am a citizen dating someone that is not a citizen. TOTALLY in love and want to know what we will be facing in future if we decide to get married. Im one of those that (as long as you are good to me and not cheating) dont get too much into personal business in the start of a relationship at least. I do have a few questions. Can you enter as a student and be here over two years legally? If a person is not here legally can you still marry them without issues and they remain in the US with you? I hope im wording this correctly. I just want to be prepared for anything which could come in the way of what I feel is really the happiest time of my life.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from US Citizenship Discussion to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration forum.

[scottgema 6]

Sounds like you are saying the person is already here on a student visa and you want to know if you can marry them and file the paperwork? if so, yes you can.

If you are asking if they can come on a student visa when in reality its not to attend school and its to get here to get married that is immigration fraud and if you get caught its not going to go well for you or them =).

I hope that makes sense.

[JoannaV 174]

If your love qualifies for a student visa then yes that would be a good way for the two of you to be in the same country for a while and get to know each other. At this stage that sounds what you are thinking about, though also thinking through your potential long-term options.

if you want to marry you can:

1) Apply for a fiance visa, when that is approved they can come to the US and you can marry. Or

2) Get married in the US or the foreign country, then apply for a spousal visa. Once approved they can move to the US. (Whilst waiting for approval you will only be able to visit each other.) Or
3) If they are currently in the US then you can marry and then they can adjust status.

If they are in the US illegally then there are a lot of potential problems. It all depends on the situation. You would need to evaluate their exact status, history, means of entering, and what they have been doing in the US.

[jaycali 415]

I am a citizen dating someone that is not a citizen. TOTALLY in love and want to know what we will be facing in future if we decide to get married. Im one of those that (as long as you are good to me and not cheating) dont get too much into personal business in the start of a relationship at least. I do have a few questions. Can you enter as a student and be here over two years legally? If a person is not here legally can you still marry them without issues and they remain in the US with you? I hope im wording this correctly. I just want to be prepared for anything which could come in the way of what I feel is really the happiest time of my life.

A student attending college/university in the US can stay legally in the country for the entire duration of his studies. If his studies exceed 2 years, no problem as long as he attends classes and does not work unauthorized.

As far as illegal presence, this gets tricky and technical. If he entered legally as a student, but stayed beyond his welcome, this is not a large obstacle if he ends up getting married to a USC.

Simply put, if he is currently in the US, and entered legally, and you end up getting married, you should not have any problems. He will not have to leave the US during the process of him getting permanent residency.

Edited November 7, 2013 by jaycali

[BLESSED6 0]

Thanks all! Very useful information. I think im going to just chill & see if someone else comes along. Seems to be one issue after another & its issues that could be avoided soooooo, maybe i will meet someone else to capture my heart. Funny how you can be in love & a person's actions push you away!