Marrying an Immigrant on a Student Visa
Hi, I just found this forum by doing a web search for questions regarding marrying an immigrant. The person I'm planning to marry is an international student who happens to live halfway across the U.S. from me. We met in my city when she was visiting friends last summer, but she can't get accepted by any major college here because her English is still quite poor, and the schools here cost double or triple compared to her current one.
Anyway, we want to get married either late this summer or early next spring. I'm aprehensive about doing it this summer because I'm very busy working right now (mandatory overtime almost every day) and have no time to consult with anyone about this. Basically I don't know if I can do this all myself, or if an attorney would be necessary...in which case I would definitely want to wait until spring. Weddings, honeymoons, immigration papers, waiting 90 days for her work permit to arrive- all those things add up to thousands alone, even doing it the easy way which we were planning on (Vegas). So I'm definitely not up for throwing a $3000 legal bill into the mix- I forgot to add that I'm prequalified for a mortgage, and some sudden expense like that would certainly screw that up.
Anyway, I would be very appreciative of any advice. My fiance and I are very much in love, but I'm trying to explain to her that we have to go about this the right way. She's way more impatient, which is natural, since she doesn't have as many ties to the U.S. as I do. I'm 34 and have lived here my whole life.
OK well enough of my long post. Peace and love to everyone here.
Time Limits for Immigration of Spouse
I am not sure that there are any time limits. That is, assuming she is either in the nation with legal status, or in her home nation (in which case, albeit, you would be petitioning for a spouse visa), there is no reason why you would have to file sooner as opposed to later.