Can I get married to a U.S. Citizen while my STEM OPT extension is pending and if my initial OPT EAD has expired?

[smile-miss 0]

Hi, my boyfriend is a U.S. Citizen and I'm currently holding F-1 student visa. My initial OPT has expired in July, and I applied for STEM OPT Extension in April. The application is still pending, and I'm currently using the 180-day waiting time of STEM OPT application to work.

 

We are planning to get the marriage license & certificate soon. If I get married to him now (but don't file for green card yet), will this affect my stem opt extension application?

Thank you!

[Timona 3,940]

17 hours ago, smile-miss said:

Hi, my boyfriend is a U.S. Citizen and I'm currently holding F-1 student visa. My initial OPT has expired in July, and I applied for STEM OPT Extension in April. The application is still pending, and I'm currently using the 180-day waiting time of STEM OPT application to work.

 

We are planning to get the marriage license & certificate soon. If I get married to him now (but don't file for green card yet), will this affect my stem opt extension application?

Thank you!

 

I don't think so. But other experienced members would add better answers.

 

However,  I'd file for AOS and get EAD which would be non-restricted 

Edited August 12, 2019 by Timona

[AtlToBlr 64]

On 8/11/2019 at 8:22 PM, smile-miss said:

We are planning to get the marriage license & certificate soon. If I get married to him now (but don't file for green card yet), will this affect my stem opt extension application?

It should not. We got married while my wife was still on her F-1. She later applied for OPT and the extension while we were still married without any issues. We applied for GC 3 years after marriage and got the green card without any problems. Let me know if you have any questions!