Got married now what?

[philippine jimmy 0]

Im confused. We get married then what is the next step? Do we contact immigration or file more papers?

What will be her actual status? Will she recieve a temp green card? I have heard so many things.

[Wis-Can 0]

Did she enter the country on a visa?

Edited September 5, 2010 by Wis-Can

[philippine jimmy 0]

Did she enter the country on a visa?

Yes she came on the k1 visa and then we got married.

[marriedtomrg 141]

Then she has to apply for Adjustment of Status (I-485) with USCIS immediately.

You have to consult the Guides (look at the menus above), and start completing the forms and supporting documents. She will also need to apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD, I-1765) and Advanced Parole (I-131).

Follow the instructions; once the I-1485, I-1765 and I-131 are filed, she will receive a conditional green card after 4 months; this green card is good for 2 years. From there she has to apply for Removal of Conditions, 90 days before her conditional green card expires.

Yes she came on the k1 visa and then we got married.

[philippine jimmy 0]

Yes she came on the k1 visa and then we got married.

I read all that and it sounds like that getting her here only means that she can visit me until the k1 expires on oct and then they could still say she must leave even after all we went through and the tons of money I spent? I thought once we are married that the hard part was finished but this sounds like we maybe shouldnt rejoice yet.

[milimelo 4,736]

Moving topic to Adjustment of Status from Family based visa. OP, your thinking that everything is over once she is here on the K1 visa is wrong. For her to have a full status you need to complete Adjustment of Status so she gets a green card.

[menina 50]

I read all that and it sounds like that getting her here only means that she can visit me until the k1 expires on oct and then they could still say she must leave even after all we went through and the tons of money I spent? I thought once we are married that the hard part was finished but this sounds like we maybe shouldnt rejoice yet.

No, her K1 expired when she came into the country. Now she needs to adjust status, but she CANNOT leave the country before she receives a travel document which is part of the AOS process. Read the AOS guides here on VJ to know which forms to complete and what documents to send. It is safer to file right away, but there isn't really a time limit. She will just be out of status once her I-94 in her passport expires. She can stay with you while the AOS is being processed. Once she receives the AP (travel document) she can leave the US temporarily. That can be used until the green card is received.

[philippine jimmy 0]

I read all that and it sounds like that getting her here only means that she can visit me until the k1 expires on oct and then they could still say she must leave even after all we went through and the tons of money I spent? I thought once we are married that the hard part was finished but this sounds like we maybe shouldnt rejoice yet.

So the first green card is known as conditional? What does that mean? So now when I fill out the i485 and must send 1000 dollars? what other expenses is there? Thanks for writing me.

[trillium13 84]

Everything you need to know is right here.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

[marriedtomrg 141]

The Visa Journey Guides are very helpful (look up the screen, it is between Portals and Wiki). All the information you need to know is on there. Since you two are newly married, after the Adjustment of Status application is approved, your spouse will initially be given a conditional green card, which is good for 2 years. 90 days before your spouse's conditional green card expires, she will undergo another process called Removal/Lifting of Conditions (which is also described in the Visa Journey Guides). In this process, if approved, your spouse's conditional green card will become a 10 year green card. After 1 year from receiving her 10 year green card, she may then apply for U.S. citizenship (again, also described in the Visa Journey Guides).

Aside from the I-485, there are other forms and supporting documents (the fee is $1,010...not $1,000) your wife will also need to file an application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) so she will be allowed to work in the U.S. If you guys intend to travel outside the U.S. without abandoning her green card application, she will also need an application for Advance Parole (AP). Filing EAD and AP are free of charge as long as you file them at the same time as the Adjustment of Status (I-485) application...otherwise, you have to pay for them separately.

I know this sounds like a lot to deal with, but unfortunately, it never stops when you are married...because of the visa you both have chosen to apply for (K1), these are the necessary extra steps you and your wife have to undergo to help legalize her stay in the U.S. and make her more mobile. Currently, I-485 applications take 4 months to process.

Get all of the forms and supporting documents ready, and if you encounter any problems unique to your case, you can always come here for help and support. While you are getting your stuff ready, I hope you have on hand extra copies of the forms you previously filled out for your spouse's K1 visa, so you can enter consistent information.

Good luck...

So the first green card is known as conditional? What does that mean? So now when I fill out the i485 and must send 1000 dollars? what other expenses is there? Thanks for writing me.

[baron555 934]

I read all that and it sounds like that getting her here only means that she can visit me until the k1 expires on oct and then they could still say she must leave even after all we went through and the tons of money I spent? I thought once we are married that the hard part was finished but this sounds like we maybe shouldnt rejoice yet.

You need to Adjust her Status. Read the AOS Guides and start preparing the documents (and money for the fee of $1010).

[Darnell 8,479]

Hey Jimmy ! What news on the paperwork ? It's been a month now - what's up ?

[Manny&G 1]

Hey Jimmy ! What news on the paperwork ? It's been a month now - what's up ?

Looks like Jimmy said "hell" with the AOS process and probably moved to the Phili...LOL.....

[moroccogirlny 100]

Looks like Jimmy said "hell" with the AOS process and probably moved to the Phili...LOL.....