I'm a Canadian currently working in the US on a F-1 OPT STEM extension visa that won't expire for another 2 years. My fiance and I are both looking for new work, but we're not quite sure which side of the border we're going to end up on as both have benefits to us. Therefore, I'm not sure I want to get a greencard yet, but I don't want to close that door either.
HOWEVER, we were planning on getting married in June regardless (because we, you know, want to get married). However, I've been told that this can lead to trouble at the borders as it can be seen as an attempt to immigrate. I'm honestly not sure what our situation is going to be come June (the joys of job hunting), but as we're hoping to get married in Canada, I don't want to reach the border while heading back to the US afterwards and get told I can't enter because I might be futzing my F-1 visa in some way. It doesn't help that border agent already get fussy with my somewhat strange visa...
My University's visa office has just shrugged and told me to ask a lawyer, but I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas first.
TL;DR: Will border agents have a problem with letting me back into the US if I've got a student work visa but am married to an American?
Traveling on F-1 OPT after marriage
in Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas
Posted
Hi!
I'm a Canadian currently working in the US on a F-1 OPT STEM extension visa that won't expire for another 2 years. My fiance and I are both looking for new work, but we're not quite sure which side of the border we're going to end up on as both have benefits to us. Therefore, I'm not sure I want to get a greencard yet, but I don't want to close that door either.
HOWEVER, we were planning on getting married in June regardless (because we, you know, want to get married). However, I've been told that this can lead to trouble at the borders as it can be seen as an attempt to immigrate. I'm honestly not sure what our situation is going to be come June (the joys of job hunting), but as we're hoping to get married in Canada, I don't want to reach the border while heading back to the US afterwards and get told I can't enter because I might be futzing my F-1 visa in some way. It doesn't help that border agent already get fussy with my somewhat strange visa...
My University's visa office has just shrugged and told me to ask a lawyer, but I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas first.
TL;DR: Will border agents have a problem with letting me back into the US if I've got a student work visa but am married to an American?
Thanks very much for your help!