Me: H1B, GF: Chinese outside of US.

[plucesiar 0]

I'm currently on H1-B and will soon be asking my current employer to sponsor me for a green card. I'm currently not living with my gf. She currently works outside of the States, and she was born in China but holds Canadian citizenship.

I was wondering if there are alternative paths to the green card application for me + Form I-130 after the gc approval (and marriage obviously). I'll be applying for the green card as Rest of World and EB2, so I'm guessing it'll take around 2-3 years, and plus another 2-3 years for Form I-130 means that we won't be able to live together in the States for 4-6 years!

The others I can think of are:

• Get married now, have her come on H4 dependent, while my gc application starts. After approval, file for I-130 and I-485 adjustment of status. However, is it possible for her to adjust her H4 to H1-B before gc approval so that she can work?
  
• Have her come on F-1 student visa, followed by EAD to work. My gc application will start during her F-1. If green card hasn't been approved and she hasn't managed to get H1-B sponsorship, get married and change her to H4 so that she could stay. Then, after gc approval, file for I-130 and I-485 adjustment of status.
  

[Boiler 43,429]

H4 would get her a GC the same time as you.

[plucesiar 0]

H4 would get her a GC the same time as you.

Thanks for the prompt reply! Would her being added on affect the ROW category of the application?

[Boiler 43,429]

That is based on you not her.

[plucesiar 0]

That is based on you not her.

From the employer's perspective, is it as simple as adding an extra name and collecting her documentation to the application?

[Boiler 43,429]

I am sure Lawyers charge more for adding spouse and children on, but logically should be relatively minor.

[plucesiar 0]

I am sure Lawyers charge more for adding spouse and children on, but logically should be relatively minor.

Got it. Thanks so much for your help.