F1 Visa, fiance is american. Long distance relationship

[anne.b 0]

My fiance and I met in college 5 years ago and he proposed recently. We've been long distance for the past 4 years of our relationship. I am canadian was on F1 for college and now on F1 for graduate school. He works in another state and is an american citizen. We want to have a courthouse wedding in the next couple of months to begin the green card application process. Both our parents will be there at the wedding. We will have a proper big wedding later when we have more money. 

 

My concern is that because it's a courthouse wedding and we don't live together currently due to our long distance relationship, will that raise red flags when we apply for the green card? We do own a car together and have a joint bank account. Our friends and family can write letters. 

[Unlockable 7,306]

Will not be an issue. 

 

Good luck on your journey.

[Cheezees 1,514]

This was my exact situation. I was an F1 student living in NYC with an American fiance living in Wisconsin. We married and I did my biometrics in NYC, then I moved to Wisconsin and completed the process. I had my green card in 3 months. Best of luck!

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

It's a red flag, but with a 5 year relationship I am sure you will have plenty of bonafide evidence.  Do be prepared to be asked the question about when you will live together again though.

[NikLR 13,220]

It sounds like you'll be adjusting your status, not getting a visa am I correct?

[anne.b 0]

Yes that is correct, I would be adjusting my status. I am not too worried about proving our relationship, given that he was at my graduation and we have pictures dating back to 2012 and I am in every single Christmas card. But that's all the soft stuff and we don't have any hard evidence other than joint account and car. The fact that it's a courthouse wedding instead of some huge thing doesn't help, or so I am told

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

******  Moving from CR-1 spousal visa to AOS from student visa forum ******

[NikLR 13,220]

Whomever told you this wasnt helping you.  It doesnt matter how you're married as long as it's legal.  In Colorado, for instance, you can marry yourselves at the dmv.  Doesn't make it any less of a marriage than a 20k over the top big tadoo. 

[Cadence 20]

I have a marriage where we are currently long-distance for the majority of the time for one more year. My IO wanted documents to explain why we were long distance even though we were married. He was understanding and kind about hearing how our relationship evolved and came to be, but not enthusiastic about our lack of joint documents such as car/lease. We only had a bank account with both our names on it. We had photos, extensive travel records/ticket stubs and letters we had sent each other, but he said they didn't show why I didn't "live" with him full time as husband and wife. What he tipped him from recommending us for a second interview to approval on the spot were my school documents showing my $10,000/yr reward from my school and room-agreement (as documented "reasons" for why I'd want to attend a school that wasn't local or closer to my husband), and my husband's current hefty salary (as a documented reason for why he wouldn't just up and leave to come live with me). We tried to also support why my husband wouldn't want to leave his current residence with the custody order for visitation with his child, but the IO didn't seem too interested in that, strangely enough. He really stressed showing documents to back up our narrative of why our relationship is the way it is. 

 

My advice is, grab every little thing you can that has both your names on it, period. If you can make a power of attorney or medical directive thing going, it wouldn't hurt to add to the pile. Heck, get affidavits from as many trusted people as you can. My IO was very generous with my case. Your IO may not be. 

Edited January 10, 2017 by Cadence

[anne.b 0]

Thank you so much for your response Cadence. I am in a very similar situation and that's really helpful for me as to what types of documentation to prepare for. Thank you!