Thursday, September 15, 2011

What is the step by step procedure for someone on F1 visa to marry US citizen?

My boyfrined is on F1 visa and I am US citizen. What is the procedure to get married in US? How soon you can have marriage certificate? He is graduating in Summer 2008. Is it advicable for him to marry before he graduates so he does not have to worry about getting H1 visa or we should marry after he gets his job with H1 visa? How long does it actually take to get Greencard from F1 visa after our marraige?





I appreciate all your help and gudiance.|||You just get married like anyone else.





After you're married you need to file the following:


I-130


I-485


I-765 and


G-325





with the Citizenship and Immigration Service. You can find the forms and their instructions here....





http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/m鈥?/a>





The cost to file will be about $1,300. In about 90 days he'll get a work permit. He can use the work permit to get a Social Security card.





In about 6 months he'll get his approval for a Green Card and it will take another 6 months for the card to arrive in the mail.





Don't even think about going for an H1 visa. The process is long and there is no guarantee that even if he finds an employer that the employer will be able to get the visa for him.





Don't worry if the F1 expires. As soon as you submit the I-130 and I-485 his stay in the US is 100% legal until his approval comes through. Keep the receipt for filing as proof that the forms have been submitted.





DO NOT, understand DO NOT let him leave the country after you get married and file the forms. If he leaves the country the filing becomes void and you just wasted $1,300. They won't even let him back in. He must stay until he gets his approval.|||Since he is legally in the country the procedure is realtively simple. You would apply for a marriage license the same way you would if you were marrying another citizen. After get married you will file the I-130 along with other paperwork. He will have his visa interview here in the states. With proff of valid relationship his status will change to that of legal permanent resident. It does not matter if you do it know or wait.|||if you marry in the Courthouse they will give you your marriage cert. right there and then you can apply for Green Card. it might take 3-6 months for him to receive his green card after you apply( depends on the state you are living in Tx it is 3 months)





but from the day you guys get married , he is legal to stay in the US but he can't work till he get his GC so I advise you to marry 6 months before he graduates , so by the time he graduates he will have his GC and work permit





for H1 visa, if you guys sure about marrying, I advise not even think about H1 it is difficult and not guaranteed





let me know if you have any questions

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