Leaving the US after getting married

[katandrew 0]

Hello friends.

My fiance and I are getting married in July in the court in the US and we want to get married in my country (Colombia) in december 2017. Do you guys know how long do I have to wait in the US before leaving the country?

Thanks for your help

[JFH 12,190]

Apply for AP (advanced parole) as soon as you have got married. That should take around 90 days to be processed. Don't book any airline tickets until you have the approval in your hands. But your December travel date is certainly achievable.

[phd1974 17]

It will be about 90 days from the time you submit your Advance Parole (AP) documents. If you submit your AOS (Adjustment of Status) documents along with your AP and Work Authorization (EAD) documents [at the same time, in the same mailing], you would only need to pay the AOS fee and the AP and EAD fees are waived. If you file them separately, you will pay for each separately ... and wind up spending much more money - hundreds of more dollars ... like $740 more dollars total)

If you are filing for AP, it is wise to just do all of your AOS, EAD, and AP documents and just pay the AOS fee.

Do it immediately after you get married. The sooner you get it in, the earlier they can get your documents processed.

Also, please be sure to be thorough and accurate with filling out the forms, if you get an RFE, they will not be issuing out your AP until it is rectified and more time will be wasted.

Edited April 15, 2016 by phd1974

[yuna628 9,676]

File AOS (with EAD and AP) as soon as you possibly can after you marry. It's $1070, but the additional fees for the EAD/AP will be waived. Takes about 90 days or so to arrive. Then you should be good to travel.

[Anna&Jim 52]

Hello friends.

My fiance and I are getting married in July in the court in the US and we want to get married in my country (Colombia) in december 2017. Do you guys know how long do I have to wait in the US before leaving the country?

Thanks for your help

My advice:

Get married soon after entering the US and apply for adjustment of status,do not leave the country until you have your 2 yrs permanent resident card or advance parole document in hand.

Take a look at the AOS forms and samples here in visajourney, it will be helpful to have some things ready when you get here.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Colombian thread (in spanish)

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/301640-colombianos-ajuste-status-k1-p-2/page-1

[JR loves JR 196]

Do you have approval for your k-1? The reason I ask is I wouldn't make too many plans until you have at least that visa in hand. There are so many variables to plan for between k-1 interview and AP approval. At least if you have visa in hand then your date in July is settled which really helps in predicting AP approval. If you file shortly after your ceremony in July, your AP should be ready by December. Be warned though that making non refundable plans during this process is never advisable.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

You can't just file for AP without filing for AOS anyway. There would be no basis to apply for AP without being an adjustment applicant, so it is a moot point to talk about paying the fee before filing the I-485. And you can file them separately and still have the fee waived, as long as you have already filed the I-485 and it is still pending.

So, as was stated already, get married, file for AOS along with EAD and AP. You can travel and re-enter once you have AP or the green card. Don't leave without one of those, or you will need to file for a spousal visa to return.