F-1 applicant wanting to marry, can I do "following-to-join"?

[korra77 0]

Hi,

I'm an F-1 applicant (unmarried daughter of US citizen) and I expect to get my interview in the upcoming months. I would like to bring my boyfriend with me to the US and we are considering getting married so that I can file for him once I get my green card. However, im finding out that this process can take years and just ran into something called "following-to-join benefits" in which a new permanent resident can file for a spouse. Does anyone know if a green card holder who obtained his/her greencard through F1 category can take advantage of this benefit? Is it possible to get married after my interview but before setting foot in the US? or wold that void my greencard application?

This is some of the info i found on the following-to-join"

http://immitips.com/2011/11/follow-to-join-procedures-for-immediate-family-members-of-preference-based-immigrant-visa-holders/

Thank you for your help!

[apple21 953]

No. You must remain unmarried until the day you first step foot in US soil.

You can marry and file for your boyfriend later (after POE).

[korra77 0]

No. You must remain unmarried until the day you first step foot in US soil.

You can marry and file for your boyfriend later (after POE).

Thank you,

so for those that get a F1 greencard there is no way to take advantage of the "follow to join" benefits...

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Follow to join are for other classes of I130 beneficiaries.

[apple21 953]

Thank you,

so for those that get a F1 greencard there is no way to take advantage of the "follow to join" benefits...

Only unmarried children below 21 years old can qualify for follow-to-join benefits from an F1 (Unmarried sons/daughters 21 years old or above by USC).

After marriage, you have to file i-130 for your husband.

[aleful 1,905]

Hi,

I'm an F-1 applicant (unmarried daughter of US citizen) and I expect to get my interview in the upcoming months. I would like to bring my boyfriend with me to the US and we are considering getting married so that I can file for him once I get my green card. However, im finding out that this process can take years and just ran into something called "following-to-join benefits" in which a new permanent resident can file for a spouse. Does anyone know if a green card holder who obtained his/her greencard through F1 category can take advantage of this benefit? Is it possible to get married after my interview but before setting foot in the US? or wold that void my greencard application?

This is some of the info i found on the following-to-join"

http://immitips.com/2011/11/follow-to-join-procedures-for-immediate-family-members-of-preference-based-immigrant-visa-holders/

Thank you for your help!

hi,

it doesn't take years only over a year. follow to join doesn't exist. you have category F3 for married children of a USC. you could of married, let the NVC know that you are married and to change you to category F3 that has around 3 more years of waiting and come with your spouse. your spouse and unmarried children under 21 come as derivatives of your petition, in that case you come together

or get your GC as an unmarried child, come to the US, go back to your country and marry your boyfriend, return and file a petition for him as your spouse, it will take over a year now. It used to be almost 3 years, but the waiting time has been reduced. you must enter the US as unmarried.

a year, year and a half is the waiting time for spouses of residents

Edited November 26, 2013 by aleful

[korra77 0]

hi,

it doesn't take years only over a year. follow to join doesn't exist. you have category F3 for married children of a USC. you could of married, let the NVC know that you are married and to change you to category F3 that has around 3 more years of waiting and come with your spouse. your spouse and unmarried children under 21 come as derivatives of your petition, in that case you come together

or get your GC as an unmarried child, come to the US, go back to your country and marry your boyfriend, return and file a petition for him as your spouse, it will take over a year now. It used to be almost 3 years, but the waiting time has been reduced. you must enter the US as unmarried.

a year, year and a half is the waiting time for spouses of residents

Thank you for clarifying, that makes sense. It sounds like option two seems best at this point.