F1 Student Marrying a Military Officer
Hey there board ! I am an international student who did her undergrad and is currently pursuing her phD in the US (Texas specifically) . I met my bf of now three years while getting my phD. Now that I'm almost ready to graduate (I will be done this December) the bf and I are talking marriage but given that he is active duty military (USAF) stationed in California and I'm located in Texas we are trying to figure out what the best course of events is. Should we get married and apply for paper work subsequently while I'm still in F1 status or should I get on the OPT and then try to get married? I plan to seek employment in California once I'm done with my phD to be closer to my bf and realize the job search will be a lot easier without the visa issues on hand. Should we consult a JAG? What paperwork should we look to file immediately to help me find a job close to him post/pre marriage ? Any advice will be much appreciated.
Thank You!
Re: F1 Student Marrying a Military Officer
Marry him, then leave the country. Have him apply for you to be admitted as a spouse. Leave the country have him file to admit you as a fiance.
Re: F1 Student Marrying a Military Officer
I don't know about a JAG, but he definitely should talk to someone about the issues of the impact on his USAF career if he has bonds of affection (marriage or otherwise) with a non-US citizen.
If your intent is to marry and live in the US, you most likely should start the proper paperwork to do that. If you are SURE that's the course you want to go, then there's no advantage (and you don't want to incur the delay) of waiting until you're out of student visa to get started.
Re: F1 Student Marrying a Military Officer
The USCIS has the "Military Helpline". He should be able to speak with them as well as the specialist in his command. With a PHD, you will be hard pressed to find jobs near his work locations. The transient lifestyle is detrimental to the job opportunities for the trailing spouse. Your career means nothing to the USAF; his job assignment will be based on the needs of the service.
Re: F1 Student Marrying a Military Officer
Quote:
Quoting
T53147
The USCIS has the "Military Helpline". He should be able to speak with them as well as the specialist in his command. With a PHD, you will be hard pressed to find jobs near his work locations. The transient lifestyle is detrimental to the job opportunities for the trailing spouse. Your career means nothing to the USAF; his job assignment will be based on the needs of the service.
I am not sure that you can be quite so definitive about the bolded.
Re: F1 Student Marrying a Military Officer
I believe I can as I have a child in that position who has a law degree; my PhD spouse and child have far fewer options and they are not location limited as is my other child. When the numbers of jobs in the country for a specific field requiring a PhD are likely many fewer than a thousand and likely fewer than a hundred. Military bases also can be in remote locations or a foreign country. Of course, the military member can be a geo bachelor while the spouse can remain in her work location.