As what status should I enter the US?

[mitlamk 0]

Hello everybody,

I am completely new to this, but I am very grateful to have found VJ and can't believe I haven't found it before. That being said, here's my "problem":

I am currently living in Germany. Earlier this year I tried to study in Portland, got my F1 in Canada, but not until a week after school had started, and by that time the school wouldn't let me attend anymore. I left the US within a week, and my SEVIS was cancelled for a "no-show".

Now I would like to try and go study in Portland again this coming fall (2014). But I'm also getting married to my girlfriend, a US-citizen, in the summer (2014). I plan to go to Portland (where she's studying) about a month or two before the wedding, be there for 2-3 weeks on the Visa-waiver program, then go to Mexico with her, get married there, and return to the US a few weeks later to start our studies. After we finish our studies, I see us staying in the US for maybe a year or two, but then we'd like to move to South America permanently. The only reason we'd return to the US would be to visit family later on.

So, what visa should I go on? Can I just go on a F1 visa (I understand I'd be allowed to stay up to a year in the US after my studies end)? Or should I try and apply for a green card? Or are there other options?

Honestly, I feel a bit overwhelmed, trying to figure this all out, and I would be very grateful for any advice ya'll could give.

Peace,

Tim

[Ryan H 3,819]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration.

[Cathi 5,782]

To the OP, don't even consider what MJP suggested. It is immigration fraud to enter the US on and f1 with the intent to marry and adjust status. It will get you denied and deported with no appeal.

[Ryan H 3,819]

***Post violating the TOS has been removed along with posts quoting.***

[NikLR 13,231]

if you are not planning on living in the USA, I would just continue with your F1 schooling visa. Try to make sure you get it in time tho

[mitlamk 0]

Hey, thanks for your answer! Just wanted to make sure: I (and my lady!) won't get in trouble if we're married living in the US (during the duration of our studies), but I'm just on an F1 visa, right?

if you are not planning on living in the USA, I would just continue with your F1 schooling visa. Try to make sure you get it in time tho

[NikLR 13,231]

Why would you get in trouble as long as you're fulfilling the purpose of the visa? You aren't planning on immigrating to the USA either.

I'm always surprised at the number of people wanting to go to school here, it's so expensive out of state/out of country. There's no way I could afford to go to school until next year when I can get in state tuition rates. I noticed how expensive some universities were in Canada as well for out of country and it flabbergasted me.

[mitlamk 0]

Awesome, thank you so much for your help.
And it's true, I could go to school here in Germany for free, but my girl friend is going to school in Portland, and is getting approx. 90% scholarships, plus I'm going to a community college, so it's not that bad

Thank you again for your help.

Why would you get in trouble as long as you're fulfilling the purpose of the visa? You aren't planning on immigrating to the USA either.

I'm always surprised at the number of people wanting to go to school here, it's so expensive out of state/out of country. There's no way I could afford to go to school until next year when I can get in state tuition rates. I noticed how expensive some universities were in Canada as well for out of country and it flabbergasted me.