Redro

I am so sorry about your situation. I hope your health has improved. It sounds like you should wait another 4 years. It is safer like that. Seeing as you received your 10 year GC in 2023, it should be good until 2033? If you apply for citizenship after 4 years today or even 5 years today you will not have to renew your GC before that time.

An applicant for naturalization has the burden of establishing that he or she has complied with the continuous residence requirement, if applicable. Generally, there are two ways outlined in the statute in which the continuity of residence can be broken:[9] The applicant is absent from the United States for more than 6 months but less than 1 year; or The applicant is absent from the United States for 1 year or more. Did you apply for the re-entry permit (I-131) which shows you did not intend to abandon your home in the US? Have you filed taxes every year, maintained a US based job, a residence, car, car insurance? What evidence will you use to show and "explain" why you were overseas for so long? Personally, I would spend more time in the US vs other countries for the next 4 years and 1 month with no trips over 1 month.... But, if you have a good reason why you needed to be outside the US for more than 6 months each time... what reasons did the lawyer suggest and what were your reasons for not being in the US... Finally, what are your reasons now for wanting to become a US citizen?

I interviewed for my CR1/IR1 visa in Korea and the one question they asked was "have you traveled any where in the last 6 months". I believe it is a fairly standard question. You are always allowed to update the DS260 during the interview.

As you will be married and living and working in the US, there will be a record of your marriage once you file taxes. Getting married in Korea vs US does not circumvent informing the US you are married. In addition, the US is not like Korea, with the marriage registry and family registry. You get married, there is a record, but the systems in the US aren't all connected so CBP won't know you are married unless you tell them. Korea really is a low fraud country. Couples are able to travel to the States together on ESTA (with families) without issue. You should be fine. Just be honest when asked questions and don't lie about your relationship status.

Be aware: once you are married to your US citizen wife. You are not guaranteed entry every time you leave the States and return. Not just the first entry after marriage. When I finally immigrated to the US, the officer assumed I had been to secondary a lot because I visited the US several times after getting married to my USC husband. So, make sure you answer all the questions honestly if/when asked but don't volunteer information they don't ask for. Good luck ! And congratulations on the upcoming wedding.

Can you give more information? It depends on the country/consulate many times.

Unfortunately, you were aware of the red flags involved in being your girlfriend's sponsor if she came over on a student visa. You were not aware that is also a big red flag when an au pair's family sponsors a student visa. Before anything else, your girlfriend could consider applying for another F1 visa as her own sponsor. The course of study she enrolled in might also be a factor... Did she apply to an English language school or a community college or a more "well known" school? If she doesn't have a degree yet and really did intend to go to school, I would consider the F1 route before K1 or spousal. But, if your girlfriend was only applying to school so she could return in the US to live with you, I would go the K1 visa route (as you can apply for it now/today) OR if you want your girlfriend to be able to work as soon as she enters the US, go to Spain get married and go the spousal route.