mngoalie

Thank you, this is so helpful! SO that letter (NOA) means that I could travel out of the USA if I needed to (as long as I have the letter with me)?

When we traveled to Canada last month, the border agent didn't ask for the letter.. he said it was in the system that an extension had been granted.. We still carried it with tho, just in case.

We got our extension letter pretty quickly, so I'd think you'd get it before your current expires.. I'd explain the situation to your new employer and I'm sure they'll be understanding on it.

Have you thought about other areas to live? AL is going to be tough because of the political climate there, but there are other places in the US that are more welcoming. Then her entry into Canada isn't an issue.

I'm also in Minnesota and married a Canadian. They dont issue I-94s to Canadians so its kinda an odd thing.. you can't really get in too much trouble for overstaying because you weren't granted a specific time to stay..

As long as you do an AOS, and don't leave the country, you should be fine. Just follow the guide at the top of the page.

BTW, there is a local group called "Canada to Twin Cities" that has a facebook group. Lots of people on there provide local support for those going through the process

the illegal employment thing, I'm not sure on.. I know they don't look kindly on that..

I married my husband when he was here on an F-1. The conversion process was fairly seamless, but he only worked under the restrictions of his F-1. I'd go through the guides at the top of the page and fill them out honestly and see what happens. The problem is if you don't fill it out and they later find out, you could have some serious trouble.

As a side note, some immigration offices do read these forums, so with both your names and city/state listed, it would be best not to lie about it.

I was afraid of that.. was hoping we could put it behind us. Thanks for the info.

Hello. Its time for removing of conditions on our 2 year green card My husband had an expungement when we applied for the initial green card. Do we have to re-send in all the documentation again? I wasn't sure if, since it was previously disclosed, if it had to be disclosed again.

Thanks

Mark

I did the same thing.. I had no problems. Having said that, there was no way we could've had any prior intent as we were a same sex couple, so marriage wasn't an option for immigration until after he had been here for 2 years.

Its really up to the person doing the interview. You have to show some proof that you weren't intending on doing this. Make sure they have strong ties back home and that they didn't break all ties to come here for school. I think that'll be a big thing. If they packed everything up to come here and have nothing in their home country to go back to, that'll be a big flag.

We got an RFE at the interview because we didn't have my husbands long form birth certificate.. Until you get that magic green card in your hands, they can always ask for more info.

I wouldn't worry about it.. Many people go through the process with no RFE's.

Entering the country with the intent to marry is fraud and could result in action from customs. I don't know if they'd lifetime ban a Canadian, but they could ban you for afew years, or even deny your green card based on fraud. Like NigeriaorBust said, the fastest way right now is to do a K-1 visa, which takes afew months.

We came in via Sarnia for his F-1 visa and no problems. We've crossed there since our AOS and had no issues either. Very nice crossing.

Marriage is religion based. State and religion must be separate.

There are way too many benefits given by the government to consider it religion based.

Some churches do believe in other marriages besides a man and woman. Would you be ok allowing those to exist, because their church agrees with it?

One of my best friends from HS who lives and works in the ME by choice with his husband has said, and I quote "It's way easier to be gay in the ME than in the US."

Yes, and I have friends who have worked over there and talked about how they had to hide it and be extra careful so they wouldn't get arrested in some areas. I'm sure its just like the US.. Its easy to be out in NYC, not so much in Alabama..

I don't think this is a good case to testify for marriage equality because the guy did not have a boyfriend or partner he wanted to stay with. He just wanted to live in the US because he wanted to. His sexuality was not the issue, as I see it.

It was, to a degree. He's from the middle east where its not looked upon well to be gay. He liked being an out gay male, which was impossible where he was from.

I was under the impression that this is not the case (not sure, though). In any case, letting them know anyway just in case solves the issue.

we mentioned it to my husbands advisor and he went in to check and he wasn't listed anymore. Its probably good to let them know for their internal records at least.

Hi.. I have one question I have also completed proceesing of F1 to greencard. I have received greencard last week . the question is do i need to inform the international office for terminating sevis status or it gets terminated automatically??

its automatically terminated.

After the greencard application, what's the maximum time to receive the EAD / Advance Parole? Is it "ALWAYS" less than 3 months? This is because I need to plan my international travel exactly 3 months after the application.

Also, if I travel on my OPT EAD after graduation, is there a problem with re-entering with that and later(2 months) applying for greencard?

Is there a certain continuous time period one has to stay in US before being eligible to apply for greencard?

Its usually less than 3 months, but there's no guarantee.

If you leave before you get your advance parole, your application is abandoned, so be careful about planning travel until you have it approved.

They never ask about who you are staying with or any type of relationship. I was listed on my husbands application as a friend he was staying with, when he had to show he had enough money for school. no name, just friend.

Ok, so.... I'm guessing a lawyer would probably be a smart idea, just to make sure everything is processed correctly?

no need. I just did the F-1 to GC via marriage. just follow the guide step by step. Save yourself some money. Go to the AoS forum and people there will help you with any questions you have on the paperwork. Everyone is great on here

See my signature for our timeline.

I don't see how you could do anything in a prenup to not have the father want to change the child support payment. I'm not a lawyer, but getting married to someone who could provide support for the child seems to be a good reason for the father to get his payment re-evaluated.

Prenups usually cover what happens in case of divorce.. I don't think you can use them to dictate anything during the marriage.

thanks a lot, mngoalie.

Would you know if it's a problem if we're living in separate states but have pictures as proof of our 10+ year relationship?

We were in a 10 year long distance relationship before we were able to marry. We had some pictures (acouple dozen) and included them with the application. I think it should be ok as long as you have the pictures. Keep in mind you'll have to go to the interview together, so pick wherever its easier for both of you to get to for the location.

Here, in MN, they block EBT cards from being used at Casino's now. Apparently there was quite a bit being pulled out there before the change.

They never asked for my husband's I-20 during our AOS from F-1 to CR1

they forgive being out of status when you marry a citizen. Not a problem

Just to add a quick question to this..

I'm not quite at this part yet.. But I was trying to order all my info so I'm ready.. And I only have the short form Ontario BC.. Will that not be accepted?

I do also have a valid passport?

order a long form birth certificate as soon as you can. They take awhile to get and you'll need it at the interview.