Hello all,
I was a Fulbright-Laspau sponsored student from South America for a Masters program from 2002-2004. Immediately after I finished my Masters, I started a PhD program at a different university (in the state of Indiana) and was no longer sponsored by Fulbright-Laspau, but my status as a J1 continued since I did not go back to my home country for the 2 year rule home residency requirement (I was allowed to stay in the US because I was accepted into a Phd with an assistantship from the new university, but the 2 year rule remained for after I finished the Phd).
I started my PhD in 2004 and I am planning on finishing the program by no later than Aug of 2010, since that is the date when my DS-2019 expires. My J-1 student VISA in my passport in valid until May of this year. I usually renew it every year. Since my current university gave me until 2010 to finish the Phd program, if I do not leave the US I can still legally be here until 2010 under the J1 status (if I do not get married to an American).
I am currently engaged to an American citizen and we are planning on getting married this year here in the US.
Questions:
1) Can I get married to him without having the waiver from the two-year rule?
2) Or do I have to get a waiver before we get married?
3) If I do get married to an American citizien this year, but will not be done with my PhD until 2010, will my J1 student status change into a temporary permanent resident or will it remain as a J1 student visa?
I really do not want to go back for the 2 year residency rule because it would really spoil my career plans of getting a job as professor here in the US soon after finishing my PhD. What would you recommend that I do first? Should I get married first and then try to get a waiver or vice-versa?
Sincerely,
MT (current female J1 student marrying an American citizen)

