Green Card after married a US Citizen.(merged)

[Kiko101 0]

Hi everyone, 

 

I am currently in the US on a F1 visa working my OPT. I got married last week to a US Citizen and my OPT status will expire in a few months. Could you guys point me in the right direction how to fill out the I-765 form for employment in the U.S. I am currently working for a US company on my OPT.  To be honest the sections I have questions are: Section 1- I am applying for: Permission to accept employment... or...Renewal of my permission to accept employment (attach a copy of your previous employment authorization document). and Section 20 - Eligibility Category. Go to the Who May File Form I-765? section of the Instructions. In the space below, place the letter and number of the eligibility category you selected from the instructions. For example, (a)(8), (c)(17)(iii), etc. How should I answer that? Thank you very much and all help will be highly appreciated.

[geowrian 22,337]

Are you filing for a renewal of your OPT or are you filing for AOS + EAD (+AP recommended as well)?

 

For a renewal of your existing OPT, being married doesn't change the process. Fill it out the same way as before, just as a renewal.

 

If you are trying to obtain permanent residency, then you need to complete AOS. Being married to a USC does not automatically grant any immigration benefits. It can be a basis to apply for permanent residency, which is a basis to obtain an EAD while that case processes.

Guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Once you file for AOS + AP + EAD, it is currently taking ~4+ months to obtain an EAD and/or AP (usually a combo card is issued). AOS itself (to get the green card) varies heavily based on local field office, but expect the better part of a year.

For the I-765 being sent with/due to AOS, you would file for a new EAD (not a renewal) under the (c)(9) category.

[Kiko101 0]

Hi everyone, 

 

I appreciate all the help I can get. I am on a F1 visa status finishing up my OPT in the US and I got married to a US Citizen. I am applying for my green card and I am currently filling the forms i765, i-485, i130 and i-864 filled out. Do you know if there are any other forms I should be filling? Or a guide from beginning to end on how to fill out all the paper work? Unfortunately I cannot afford a lawyer and I just want to make sure I have everything I need when I submit all the paper work. Thank you very much for all the help.

[Starkilla09 366]

The only other form you're missing is the form I-131 which is advance parole. This will allow you to travel in and out of the U.S. while your I-485 is still pending. This is important as leaving the U.S. before your I-485 is adjudicated without advance parole will void it as it will be considered abandoned. Good thing is I-131 is also free when filed concurrently together with your I-485. As for the guide just follow instructions on each of the forms you should be fine. If you have any other questions you can always come here and ask.

Edited April 2, 2018 by Starkilla09

[little immigrant 801]

Also include I-130A & I-693

 

Here is the guide:

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Edited April 2, 2018 by little immigrant

[Tenreyro 174]

49 minutes ago, Kiko101 said:

Hi everyone, 

 

I appreciate all the help I can get. I am on a F1 visa status finishing up my OPT in the US and I got married to a US Citizen. I am applying for my green card and I am currently filling the forms i765, i-485, i130 and i-864 filled out. Do you know if there are any other forms I should be filling? Or a guide from beginning to end on how to fill out all the paper work? Unfortunately I cannot afford a lawyer and I just want to make sure I have everything I need when I submit all the paper work. Thank you very much for all the help.

Also, read carefully the Instructions for the forms, and it can be useful to search for Cover Letters, as you can see the paperwork that people are sending and what documents are they including. 

 

Sending the relationship evidence upfront can be very helpful to avoid any complication or Request for Evidence (RFE). Remember you have to send the copy of the documents rather than the original, except when the Instructions for the forms says that you have to send the Original, or if they send you a letter requesting them.

 

The I-693 is NOT mandatory to be sent with the rest of the AOS package, and you can bring it to the interview, that could help you save some money right now, but it also could just be pointless, because depending where you live, you might have to do it once again (and to pay again), because it is valid for 1 year. Check your field office to see, most are under a year, but some are over 1 year to process the I-485. (Or tell us where you live, and we'll check what's your office).

 

Also, if you really want a lawyer to review your applications, you can always go to Avvo.com and pay around $150 for that service.

 

Aaaaaand, any question, you have the cumulative knowledge this forum has to offer, so come around and ask away.  

[Ontarkie 14,221]

~~Related threads merged. Please keep all related questions to this thread. It helps members give the best possible advice.~~

[Kiko101 0]

Thank you very much for all your feedback. All the information provided in this thread is extremely resourceful. I will keep working on my applications and If I have more questions I will def. ask for all your help. Thank you very much again!