F1 Student about to be married to US citizen seeking advice

[uknebraska 0]

Hi,

Just new to this whole thing. Getting married in July. Currently on a F-1 Student Visa, plan to go home for Christmas to the UK. Graduate with a MBA May 2008.

What are the first steps we need to take? Do I need a lawyer?

Any help would be fantastic!!

Thanks!

[YuAndDan 153]

You may consult a lawyer, but in many cases they tend to slow the process down, and sometimes make mistakes.

See this guide here and then consider if it will work for you:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

[Silke 1]

I'm adjusting from F1 myself...

I found the guides here on visajourney to be very helpful http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

Basically you have to submit form I-130 (petition for alien relative), form I-485 (adjustment of status application), form G-325a (biographic information) and form I-864 (affidavit of support) along with all the requested supporting documents. If you want to travel while your AOS application is being processed you should apply for Advanced Parole (form I-131); if you want to work before you receive your greencard you should submit form I-765.

As you can see from my timeline, you will need a medical exam done by a civil surgeon. In order to find a civil surgeon in your area, use the civil surgeon locator on the USCIS website: https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?act...office_type=CIV

Two more things about the medical exam, "shop" around for a civil surgeon and compare prices...prices vary greatly from about $75 to $200+

Also, try to obtain your vaccination records from your doctor in your home country if you don't have them here with you. You will need to show proof of a number of vaccinations when you apply for AOS.

For people between the ages of 19 and 64 the following vaccines are required:

Td

MMR

Varicella

If you don't have written proof of your vaccinations, the civil surgeon will do a titer test.

Edited April 11, 2007 by silke

[athena_ny 1]

And remember that AP isn't a guarantee...most get let back into the country, but if the officer at the POE decides not to let you back in, you can't come back in. That's not to scare you, just an FYI.

Otherwise, .

[doc_cute 0]

I'm adjusting from F1 myself...

I found the guides here on visajourney to be very helpful http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

Basically you have to submit form I-130 (petition for alien relative), form I-485 (adjustment of status application), form G-325a (biographic information) and form I-864 (affidavit of support) along with all the requested supporting documents. If you want to travel while your AOS application is being processed you should apply for Advanced Parole (form I-131); if you want to work before you receive your greencard you should submit form I-765.

As you can see from my timeline, you will need a medical exam done by a civil surgeon. In order to find a civil surgeon in your area, use the civil surgeon locator on the USCIS website: https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?act...office_type=CIV

Two more things about the medical exam, "shop" around for a civil surgeon and compare prices...prices vary greatly from about $75 to $200+

Also, try to obtain your vaccination records from your doctor in your home country if you don't have them here with you. You will need to show proof of a number of vaccinations when you apply for AOS.

For people between the ages of 19 and 64 the following vaccines are required:

Td

MMR

Varicella

If you don't have written proof of your vaccinations, the civil surgeon will do a titer test.

this post is very informative ,

[Tinker 0]

Just a note. I'm not sure if I'm right or not, but the OP said they want to go home for Christmas.

If they file I-130, they have to wait to apply for AP until after the I-130 is approved right? Which means, the OP will not get back into the country if they go back to the UK for Christmas.

I'm really not sure on this, but that's what I thought.

aw ####### this is an old thread

Edited July 9, 2007 by Tinker

[Dr_LHA 3]

If they file I-130, they have to wait to apply for AP until after the I-130 is approved right? Which means, the OP will not get back into the country if they go back to the UK for Christmas.

Wrong. You don't have to wait for I-130 to be approved. I-130 when filed concurrently with I-485 is usually approved at the same time as the I-485. Neither AP or EAD are dependant on I-130 approval.