TlacuacheVida

Thank you for the information. I found the guide and am going through it now. Not to worry she is already not allowed to work as she doesn't have work authorization under her F-1 Visa and she, while very sad about it, knows she won't be able to travel home for a while. (Even when the process is done, we live in fear that CBP can still deny you even on a green card.)

I did not know that CR-1 was for outside the country. I guess she would be doing an AOS from here as she is still in school and intends to finish completely

Greetings, first time here looking for clarification and advice. Let's start from the beginning. -My fiance first arrived here in September of 2024 on an F-1 Student Visa. --She has maintained this status since then perfectly without a single issue. Has a 3.99 GPA, never missed a class, has only traveled home once on spring break to visit family and returned in February without incident or even a question at the border. All was pre-approved by her DSO and signed and stamped wherever needed --We met in October 2025, she did not enter with the intention of meeting someone or immigrating. -We are getting married mid June this year (2025), earlier than preferred but for obvious reasons. I need to know what is the next step. What paperwork needs to be filed once the marriage license is filled out and filed. Specifically, -What forms, when to file, and to whom From what I have researched CR1 is the correct Visa she would be changing to through an AOS. We have contacted a lawyer but, they quoted a $4500 fee for the whole process while relatives have suggested that the entire process can be done without a lawyer. Thank you all in advance