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Steps to Marry a F1 Student Visa Holder

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  • 01-18-2009, 10:05 PM
    Lonesan
    Steps to Marry a F1 Student Visa Holder
    My question involves marriage law for the State of: California

    Im in my Early 20's and kinda oblivious to Laws of this nature, so I was hoping i could get some advice, Also if this is the wrong section of the forums.. sorry..

    My Current Situation:
    Im Born and Raised in California, USA and so were my Parents.

    My Girlfriend:
    Born in another Country and has been here on Student Visa for going on 4 years. Her visa Expires at the end of 09.. Currently her Visa is sponsored by Her uncle whom which shes living with right now.

    We want to get married, my concerns are the following.. We want her to continue school (higher degree level) And she wants to be able to get normal work (not work that allows her current status) so work like I can.

    How do we go about getting married legally and obtaining a Legal permanent residents status for her?

    I'm concerned because I have heard stories that she would have to leave the country during the process then come back.. Shes not from Mexico or Canada, so this would be a very timely and EXPENSIVE issue:wallbang:..

    What is the processes to do this? and what should be things to watch out for?
  • 01-21-2009, 10:30 AM
    mmadsen55
    Re: Steps to Marry a F1 Student Visa Holder
    Getting married only requires you to follow the guidelines of your local jurisdiction. Go to your county courthouse and ask them what is required for marriage. Usually, you need things like Birth certificate, valid government ID, (Passport), legal documents if prior divorces..if not in English, some require certified translation. Local governments can have different rules, so you want to speak to them directly.

    Then, once you are married, you can petition her for residency based on the marriage to a US citizen and then she can petition to adjust her status from Student visa to Legal permanant resident based on the marriage to a US citizen.

    Also, you can file an Employemnt authorization request that will allow her to work anywhere while you in the process of adjusting status.

    Below is a link to the process

    http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...0045f3d6a1RCRD
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