Jump to content
jstewart

Planning on Marriage (US Citizen to F-1 student)

 Share

5 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Other Timeline

Greetings All,

This is my first post here, so please forgive me if this is in the wrong section.

I'm a U.S. citizen planning to propose to an international student on an F-1 visa. Prior to going full swing, I would like some advice from this board regarding visa status and obstacles.

Background:

She is an ABD Ph.D. student in the States with a student visa - expected to finish May 2015 (currently July 2014). She is from China, however, she has not left the States in over two years. It is my understanding that if she returned home, she would have to renew her student visa before returning to the States. She has expressed interest in returning to China for a few weeks the end of November.

While a formal proposal hasn't been given, we have both talked and can't wait to spend our lives officially together.

Situation:

My fear is the timeline. In a perfect world I would propose (very) soon and plan a wedding for after she graduates. What complications can this cause? If she returned home after I proposed would that cause complications with her student visa (even though she fully intends on finishing school)? How long after graduating can she remain in the States on a student visa?

I'm eager to start planning our life together, however, I don't want to cause any unnecessary obstacles (as she is already overwhelmed with research).

Many thanks for any advice provided.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You get married when you are ready, there is no waiting period or anything. After graduation, she has 60 days grace period to leave.

N400

12/06/2014: Package filed

12/31/2014: Fingerprinted

02/06/2015: In-Line for Interview

04/15/2015: Passed Interview

05/05/2015: Oath letter was sent

05/22/2015: Oath Ceremony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Singapore
Timeline

Greetings All,

This is my first post here, so please forgive me if this is in the wrong section.

I'm a U.S. citizen planning to propose to an international student on an F-1 visa. Prior to going full swing, I would like some advice from this board regarding visa status and obstacles.

Background:

She is an ABD Ph.D. student in the States with a student visa - expected to finish May 2015 (currently July 2014). She is from China, however, she has not left the States in over two years. It is my understanding that if she returned home, she would have to renew her student visa before returning to the States. She has expressed interest in returning to China for a few weeks the end of November.

While a formal proposal hasn't been given, we have both talked and can't wait to spend our lives officially together.

Situation:

My fear is the timeline. In a perfect world I would propose (very) soon and plan a wedding for after she graduates. What complications can this cause? If she returned home after I proposed would that cause complications with her student visa (even though she fully intends on finishing school)? How long after graduating can she remain in the States on a student visa?

I'm eager to start planning our life together, however, I don't want to cause any unnecessary obstacles (as she is already overwhelmed with research).

Many thanks for any advice provided.

if she has a job lined up already, she can remain in the US for 12 months while employed at a job under F-1 OPT, and could qualify for an additional 17months being employed at a job if she's in a STEM field. she can only be unemployed for 90 days under the F-1 OPT. there can only be up to 90 days between when she graduates and when her OPT starts.

good luck with the proposal :)

Visit me at: http://littlealienmusings.blogspot.com/

06-2009 Granted Student Visa
09-2009 Entered the US for the 1st time via LAX, started school
12-2009 Met and dated the then-Boyfriend-now-Hubby
04-2010 Got an SSN through on-campus job
05-2011 Moved in with the then-Boyfriend-now-Hubby
03-2013 Filed I-765 for F-1 OPT
04-2013 Got engaged to the then-Fiance-now Hubby, worked part time on F-1 CPT
06-2013 Graduated with a B.S., F-1 OPT approved, worked full time on F-1 OPT
09-2013 Got married to the Hubby
10-2013 Filed I-485, I-130, I-693, I-864, G-325A's
11-2013 Biometrics, filed I-131
12-2013 I-131 approved (got a lawyer to expedite processing)
03-2014 Filed AR-11, I-865 for change of address
04-2014 Interview notice for Cinco de Mayo
05-2014 I-130/I-485 approved on the spot, I-551 mailed to new address within 7 calendar days

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Filed: Timeline

Check the I94 card, as it will state on there the time she is allowed to stay in the US. Generally, F1 usually gets "D/S" or "Duration of Status" regarding their stay, meaning they can stay in the US as long as they want AS LONG AS they are in school full-time. If they start and finish one program, they could enroll into another program and stay in the US legally. And of course, OPT is the other option.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is my understanding that if she returned home, she would have to renew her student visa before returning to the States. She has expressed interest in returning to China for a few weeks the end of November.

Only if her student visa has expired.

Naturalization:

12/13/18: File online application

12/15/18: Receive notification for biometrics appointment (no date)

12/31/18: Biometrics

02/25/19: Receive interview letter (April 8 )

04/08/19: Interview, approved!

04/12/19: Oath scheduled for April 26 

04/26/19: Oath Ceremony! 🇺🇸

 

ROC:

04/26/17:  Sent ROC package

04/27/17:  Package received

05/20/17:  Biometrics letter received

06/02/17:  Biometrics

08/22/18:  Card being produced

 

AOS from F1 visa:

08/16/14: Sent AOS package: I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131

08/19/14: Package received at Chicago Lockbox

08/22/14: Acceptance confirmation text messages/emails

08/22/14: Checks cashed

08/26/14: Hard copies of NOA's received in mail

08/27/14: Biometrics appointment notice received. Scheduled for 9/8/14.

09/08/14: Biometrics

11/14/14: File service request (Day 88)

11/24/14: EAD/AP approved (Day 98)

12/01/14: EAD mailed

12/03/14: EAD received

03/12/15: Status changed to Testing & Interview

04/16/15: Interview, no decision

07/17/15: "Your card is in production" email!

08/07/15: Card mailed

08/10/15: Card received!

~11 months, 3 weeks & 4 days from filing to green card in hand, no RFE's~

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...