US Citizen married to an F1 student. Q relates to intent.
Ok here is the time line.
1) March 2006 - I brought my girlfriend here on F1 visa. At the time, I was a LPR.
2) August 2008 - I became a US Citizen.
3) September 2008 - We got married.
During the 2.5 years she has been here, we have pretty much lived together except for a few months in the beginning. She has maintained her F1 status, changing schools two times (as I moved around). Also she went for a trip abroad in late 2006 for about three months.
At this time, what is the best way to apply for her permanent residency? My primary concern relates to her intent when she initially came to the US. If I look back now I think it was ambivalent. She wanted to come to the US to experience life in another country and could have just as easily gone back. But I am sure we both thought that we could possibly get married someday.
Any suggestions.
Ok here is the time line.
1) March 2006 - I brought my girlfriend here on F1 visa. At the time, I was a LPR.
2) August 2008 - I became a US Citizen.
3) September 2008 - We got married.
During the 2.5 years she has been here, we have pretty much lived together except for a few months in the beginning. She has maintained her F1 status, changing schools two times (as I moved around). Also she went for a trip abroad in late 2006 for about three months.
At this time, what is the best way to apply for her permanent residency? My primary concern relates to her intent when she initially came to the US. If I look back now I think it was ambivalent. She wanted to come to the US to experience life in another country and could have just as easily gone back. But I am sure we both thought that we could possibly get married someday.
Any suggestions.
Diavon, there is nothing wrong with your storyline. I am in almost the same position: I met my wife after a Christmas party; she came here on a F-1 student visa with an intent to become a doctor and then we got married.
If you read some of the posted threads with the similar subject, youll get some good insight how to file the AOS for her. There is nothing wrong with your wifes initial intent; she did not come here illegally and you did not get married immediately after her arrival.
The most important fact you should keep in mind, I think, is that you shouldnt ever mention to an IO that you brought your girlfriend on a F-1 visa here. Thats not a good idea. Other than that, file the AOS for her with no worries. The USCIS website has all the necessary info about AOS filing.
I think other more experienced bloggers will agree with me.
Thanks zuzkin, did your wife get her Green Card or are you guys still in the process?
Thanks zuzkin, did your wife get her Green Card or are you guys still in the process? I am waiting for my oath letter and then Ill apply for her AOS. BTW, not sure if you know, but, in case youd want to, your wife does not have to go to school starting the day you received the confirmation of the AOS submital.