I have no idea what I'm doing...all help will be appreciated

[arleygirl 0]

I am getting married next week! My fiance has been here in the USA on a tourist visa for about 4 months. About 6 weeks ago we were introduced by a mutual friend and immediately hit it off.

So, I am an absolute newbie to this. I think we need to apply for an adjustment of status, but I'm not sure and I truly have no idea what I need to do or where to find out what I need. But what I do know is that I need to figure it out!

The date that he is supposed to leave the US by, is November 21 and I would really like it if he didn't have to do that. So if there's someone out there who would be willing to break this down for me step by step, and explain what our options are, I would appreciate it.

Thank you,

Rachael

[MlovesW 7]

I will be the first to answer this post. There is a mass of amazing information in the guides. The link for AOS is http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2. If you have any questions after reading the guides, etc just ask here and you are bound to have many answers.

Just be prepared, there are many folks on here that will tell you it is "illegal", "immoral" or "wrong" to file in this manner. Just be forewarned and prepared. Under the forums there is a sub forum for those AOS'ing from visitor visa's, VWP etc. This forum may be easier and yield you less of the negative information.

Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!

[arleygirl 0]

I will be the first to answer this post. There is a mass of amazing information in the guides. The link for AOS is http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2. If you have any questions after reading the guides, etc just ask here and you are bound to have many answers.

Just be prepared, there are many folks on here that will tell you it is "illegal", "immoral" or "wrong" to file in this manner. Just be forewarned and prepared. Under the forums there is a sub forum for those AOS'ing from visitor visa's, VWP etc. This forum may be easier and yield you less of the negative information.

Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!

Thank you! I'm wondering, after we submit the AOS paperwork, does he need to leave the US or can/should he stay here beyond Nov 21?

[LindaC1990 23]

After submitting the AOS, he can stay here as long as the case is still pending until he either gets GC or denied.

Be prepared for a tough interview tho. Good luck

[MlovesW 7]

After you file the paperwork he MUST stay in the US until interview and approval or he receives advanced parole of you apply in the packet. My suggestion is to file I-131 (AP) and I-765 (EAD) concurrent with other forms as they are free when done this way. You may not get them before your interview but at least they are there. Just be prepared to pay around $1500 + cost of medical (around 200-500) to submit packet. And again your husband CANNOT leave while processing or he could be subject to a ban from reentry to the US

After submitting the AOS, he can stay here as long as the case is still pending until he either gets GC or denied.

Be prepared for a tough interview tho. Good luck

Read some of the reviews of individuals interviews! Yes if there are many re flags I suppose your interview can be "tough".. Majority of the reviews of recent AOS from visitor visa processes are not bad at all. See the scare tactics begin!!

[Hypnos 6,576]

Seven weeks from meeting to marriage might be seen as a red flag to USCIS. Be prepared for that.

[LindaC1990 23]

Read some of the reviews of individuals interviews! Yes if there are many re flags I suppose your interview can be "tough".. Majority of the reviews of recent AOS from visitor visa processes are not bad at all. See the scare tactics begin!!

I just stated the fact. You didn't even get my point, It's not about adjusting from Visitor visa. It's just not a lot of people got married after only knowing each other for 6 weeks. I am not attacking the OP, If I were, I wouldn't even answer her question! What's wrong with telling her be more prepared? And this is a public forum, I can say whatever I want as long as I am not violated any rules. So can you please leave me alone? The point is helping the OP not attacking other member's comments.

Edited September 11, 2012 by LindaC1990

[arleygirl 0]

Thank you for the guidance. Quick question, where on this site would I find where people have talked about their interview experience?

[DandT14 272]

Read some of the reviews of individuals interviews! Yes if there are many re flags I suppose your interview can be "tough".. Majority of the reviews of recent AOS from visitor visa processes are not bad at all. See the scare tactics begin!!

LindaC is not someone who uses scare tactics. She's also adjusting from a non-family based visa.

OP, as Linda said, the concern is the short time you've known each other. You can still do it, it's not illegal, but prepare to be questioned on it. I'd strongly suggest waiting until the last possible moment to get married. Like, maybe a week before his visa expires. That gives you a little more time between meeting and marriage.

My non-immigration related (unsolicited) advice is that you really think this through. Marrying an immigrant spouse is not the same as marrying a USC. You can't just get divorced. Instead, you're financially responsible for them whether you get divorced or not. So give this as much time and thought as you possibly can.

[arleygirl 0]

I have no idea what OP means, and it has now been used in 3 of the responses. Someone please explain.

And I understand that this may not be an easy thing to go through....tips, like reading other people's experience or waiting longer to get married are what I need and am here looking for. I understand that not all comments may be 100% positive and that's ok.

Please, I appreciate all advice, and if you disagree with the advice that someone has given me, please feel free to post your personal opinion or experience.

It is not my desire to be rude, but this particular thread is so I can educate myself and I have no interest in this thread turning into an argument between people who have different opinions. Thank you.

[Asia 2,498]

I have no idea what OP means, and it has now been used in 3 of the responses. Someone please explain.

OP = original poster = a person who starts a thread in forum.

In this thread it means you

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I would wait longer to get married. Have him go home, maybe you can visit him, he can come back, then you will be sure it is right. (not super long, but like 6 months?)

You could even start the fiance visa today, and he could go home and you could visit while the paperwork goes through. Marrying in 6 weeks is extremely fast, and add to that the fact that you will be trying to prove to government that nothing is untoward, you will have a stressful time. If your fiance just came to visit, and just met you, it seems odd that he doesn't need to go home. It can be exciting and it is easy to get caught up in things and you want to be smart with your life.

Maybe no one mentioned to you, that if you try to marry now and file paperwork, he won't be able to go home for a few months at least. Doesn't he have a job? How is he able to come and meet a random person and stay forever in the US without at least going home for a bit?

What country is he from?

[mrs_gonzo 9]

I also think you should wait and take your time. It just sounds weird - of course love at first sight can happen and I knew from the first date, that I wanted to spend my life with my man someday. But I never wanted it to be about a greencard or anything else. If you were a regular couple living in the same city you wouldn't marry right away, so why the rush? Distance is hard but a good test. Give your relationship sometime to grow and see how things are a couple of months down the road!

[MlovesW 7]

I just stated the fact. You didn't even get my point, It's not about adjusting from Visitor visa. It's just not a lot of people got married after only knowing each other for 6 weeks. I am not attacking the OP, If I were, I wouldn't even answer her question! What's wrong with telling her be more prepared? And this is a public forum, I can say whatever I want as long as I am not violated any rules. So can you please leave me alone? The point is helping the OP not attacking other member's comments.

My apologies, it wasn't meant as an attack. Again, as you stated, this is a "public forum" and I am able to say what I think without violating TOS. I merely misunderstood your post as it did not say anything about length of courtship regarding your "warning". I am not and was not attacking you personally, please do not take my posts so personal.

[Gracenp2 14]

I have no idea what OP means, and it has now been used in 3 of the responses. Someone please explain.

And I understand that this may not be an easy thing to go through....tips, like reading other people's experience or waiting longer to get married are what I need and am here looking for. I understand that not all comments may be 100% positive and that's ok.

Please, I appreciate all advice, and if you disagree with the advice that someone has given me, please feel free to post your personal opinion or experience.

It is not my desire to be rude, but this particular thread is so I can educate myself and I have no interest in this thread turning into an argument between people who have different opinions. Thank you.

OP I strongly believe that you are doing was right! so what if you just met and got married? As you can see thus far, you have gotten not so welcomed responses. Just keep positive and do what you need to do. Its your life, your choices and no one else can make the decisions that you are about to do, are going to do! So I say go for it! You only live once!

Edited September 12, 2012 by Gracenp2