Crazy Cat

Yes. I second that.

First step is to marry. Your passport won't be needed in hand for more than 12 to 18 months, so you have plenty of time.

I have moved this thread to the Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, and Tourist Visas forum where many, many people post their experiences and progress. Welcome to the forum...and good luck.

***Moved to Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, and Tourist Visas forum***

It's this one:

No. K-1 is only for fiancees... After you are married either a CR-1 or Adjustment of Status would apply.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which situation is better for themselves. Adjustment of Status (Done inside the US) More expensive than CR-1 Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-6 months) Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 3-6 months) Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed. The clock for citizenship eligibility does not start until Green card is approved. CR-1/IR-1 (Done outside the US) Less expensive than AOS No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required. Spouse can immediately travel outside the US Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival. Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport. Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises. The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US.

To apply for adjustment of status, follow this guide. Be aware that she will not be able to leave the US or work for several months.

It is possible to get an urgent travel appointment for passport after the oath ceremony. It just takes some planning. Good luck.

Green card is taken at the oath. You can travel with Green Card after interview (before the oath). Just be prepared to report the travel if it is between interview and oath. The following instructions (on the oath notification) apply. "If you traveled outside of the United States, bring travel related documents."

***Non-English comment removed. Please use English in upper forums. Non-English may be used in regional forums***

There is a fairly new policy which now eliminates most actual passport stamps for visitors who enter the US. However, an immigrant visa MUST be stamped (endorsed) upon entry to "activate" it as explained above. Sadly, not all CBP agents realize this.

It depends on the nursing program, the accreditation, and the laws applicable to each state's licensing board. But you are correct that are 2 year RN degree programs inside the US....at least there were 30+ years ago when I received my Nursing degree from one.

***Split from existing, old thread***

This is normal. All cases go through some form of Administrative Processing. What is your country of origin?

The biggest issues, imo, will be as I explained.....she can't leave the US for an extended time.....and she will be expected to live in the US. The process, itself is fairly straight-forward....but costly. As @powerpuff explained, health insurance is always something to consider as MIL won't be eligible for Medicare for 5 years after becoming a legal resident (if 65 years old or older).

Unless she is ready to actually live in the US full time, I would go home , then return in a year.

She would not be able to leave the US or work for, possibly, up to 6 months or so....if you paid for her work permit and advance parole document. Otherwise, she would not be able to leave the US until she received a Green card....maybe a year. I assume your spouse is a US citizen.

By "Overstay", I'm talking about staying beyond what CBP authorized.... 2 months

EDIT after re-reading the original post: 1. Not a good option, imo. She is on their radar. 2. I would advise against #2 completely. If the extension is denied or the answer is received late(which happens frequently), she will likely overstay, resulting in an immediate voiding of her B2. If she overstays for 6 months, she will face a ban. 3. Doesn't sound like she came prepared to live in the US. I would go home, without overstaying, and come back next year.

***Moved to What Visa Do I Need?**** - VJ Moderation

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation. If working is a priority, I would strongly consider a spousal visa. K-1 More expensive than CR-1 Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork) Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-6 months) Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 3-6 months) Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed. A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years. Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises. CR-1/IR-1 Less expensive than K-1 No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required. Spouse can immediately travel outside the US Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival. Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport. Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US. A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises.

***Old thread locked. Hijack comment removed***

It says to list current spouse first (if married). I would enter N/A in item # 22.