Very confused/worried!

[kehills 217]

The minute you're married, you should be eligible for insurance through your new husband's work, CheltenhamDallas. Most insurance policies in the States have a "life events" clause that allows you to make changes to your insurance in the change of life events - like getting married. Have him check with his work, though, to make sure that's the case. (Since if they're really rigid about when they allow new additions to insurance, it could change your decision.)

Keep in mind that many places do charge more for insurance, in case that affects his total income and ability to sponsor/support you.

Re: education. "Transferring over" isn't as easy as it necessarily sounds, so just be sure you're aware of what you're getting in to. It can be very hard to transfer coursework, depending on where you were in school and what you were doing. Be sure you understand the process of getting in to higher education here before you decide you want to give up being nearly done in the UK.

[Maria and Jason 55]

I know this will be very hard for you, but coming from a new US permanent resident, with a 4 month pregnant US Citizen wife, you have NO idea how expensive it is to have a baby in the US.

Without insurance, I would say, almost impossible without going to charity hospitals.

I know if sucks to do it on your own, can't he stay in the UK for a certain amount of time?

[aruadha 58]

I would also look into your BF's/soon-to-be husband's insurance policy concerning waiting period or whatever for coverage of a pregnancy. They may not cover you for it even if you get married bc you are ALREADY pregnant. Not sure, as individual policies differ, but worth looking into. Best of luck.

[aurora07 6]

Get married so you can stay here in the US. You're not doing something illegal because as someone mentioned here, you did not intend to come to the US and get married to obtain a green card. Your husband can then add you to his insurance. Delivery won't be as cheap as it is in the UK but think about the cost of you and him flying to UK, it's almost the same. Also, being together during the pregnancy is very important for the both of you and the baby.

Congratulations, by the way!!!

[CheltenhamDallas 1]

Thank you so much, everybody. We have decided to marry asap and do the AoS after considering everything pointed out here. He wouldn't be able to come to the uk for too long and we can't risk him getting into trouble at work etc with a baby on the way! Luckily we each have some money put away for a rainy day - looks like it could start pouring what with hospital appointments etc but that's what it's there for! Really grateful for all your help!

[Illiria 980]

Firstly Congratulations, beware that some insurances will throw a hissy fit if you don't have an ssn when you apply for the insurance but hold on and insist they use a different identifying number.

Secondly I totally agree with the below.

Re: education. "Transferring over" isn't as easy as it necessarily sounds, so just be sure you're aware of what you're getting in to. It can be very hard to transfer coursework, depending on where you were in school and what you were doing. Be sure you understand the process of getting in to higher education here before you decide you want to give up being nearly done in the UK.

In the US for most degrees you have to take general education classes, you wont have had to do these in a UK university so you may find you have to do a lot of extra credits (classes) to catch up on this and these wont be in your degree subject so you end up doing things you have little to no interest in. For example you have to take a lab class every year even if you are an English literature student. Also the way they mark is completely different so you may find that your grades would have been good in the UK may not appear that way to an American university, our 1st which is 70% is quite a low grade for them and some institutions not used to international transfer students don't compensate for this well.

That being said there are lots of good institutions here and you can always be prepared and have an explanation of how the UK system works when you go to enquire with your choice of university.

Wishing you the best and welcome to VJ

[CheltenhamDallas 1]

Thank you so much for that, that's a really helpful introduction. Quite honestly I'm feeling like I'd need to start from scratch with higher education here and maybe do something more career focused but I'll think about it some more when the time comes. I've had to shuffle my priorities a little but I'm fine with it. Still fairly young and all that jazz

[Ryan H 3,834]

***Moved from What Visa Do I Need - Family Based Immigration to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas forum.***

**Moderator hat off**

Getting married is considered a "qualifying life event" so you should be able to enroll on the policy of your husband to-be. However, this process usually must be completed within 30 days of the date of the event.

[TariesL 0]

Congratulations - Even though the situation may not have been planned or ideal.

I sounds like between getting married, being pregnant for another 8 months, filing for AOS, leaving your life at home unexpectedly, leaving university back home, starting university again - that is a LOT of big life changes to go through in the next year!

Obviously no outcome is going to be ideal for you! but maybe another to put some thought in to.

You mention you both have some money saved away. Could you return home - use this money to come travel a little back and forth between you coming here - your partner visiting you. That way, come September, you can return to school, have the baby at home with your partner present (As the father of the child, I think his work will have to grant him some form of maternity leave.) - Finish up school, get married at some point, and then make the big move? That way, you will have a full degree under your belt, which is most likely going to help in getting you a job quicker if you were to need one (Kids - always more expensive than you think), as well as helping to cover all the immigration costs, and moving costs.

I think some form of that would be where I would be looking if I were in your shoes! But obviously that is just my two cents, and you know what you need to be comfortable in your situation! Especially with a baby on the way - you certainly shouldn't have to do that alone, and Im sure your partner wouldn't let you anyway!!

Good luck!!

[Boiler 46,198]

Do not think the US has Paternity leave, some Employers might.

[f&c 50]

Your husband can take off under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but he might not get paid. Luckily my employer allows the use of sick and vacation leave for FMLA.